As technology evolves, so does the answer to the question of managing an expanding pool of data. A colocation data centre is one of them. Also known as ‘colo’, it is a huge data centre facility that rents out rack space for storing servers or other network equipment. It is a vital service to businesses that do not possess the resources required to maintain a data centre but still seek the benefits of one.
Several companies provide secure UK colocation. All that is needed from business owners to access this solution is hardware. These facilities power, connect and safeguard your equipment within their complexes. There is so much to learn about UK colocation facilities. Read on for some major insight.
What Is Colocation?
Businesses can host servers and get better security and guaranteed uptime. Moving everything to the cloud is not ideal in every case, and organisations may need to maintain hardware and infrastructure to manage their data. However, several companies are not equipped to own and operate their own secure data centres, and that is where these dedicated UK colocation data centres come in.
Colocation hosting is a very secure data centre facility where servers, space, bandwidth etc. are made available for businesses to purchase.
What to Look Out for in Colocation Facilities
When searching for a secure UK colocation for your company, making a perfect choice is crucial. There are some providers better than others, just as is obtainable with any other kind of business. Undertaking significant research into your options is advisable. When you arrive at a shortlist, request a detailed Service-Level Agreement (SLA) which outlines the contract between the potential provider and yourself.
Here are a few of the most important things to look out for in a UK colocation facility:
● Prime Location
The physical location of your data centre provider makes a world of difference. If you want to move your current hardware quickly, efficiently and safely, proximity is essential. You would also need to pay these facilities visits in the future, and good transport links enhance the ease of getting these done.
● Security
In this age of serious data security threats, top-notch security is non-negotiable. UK data centres must be physically secure in all aspects. They have to implement controlled physical access, and their structure should be capable of withstanding extreme weather conditions and other natural disasters.
Along with physical security is its digital counterpart. Proven strategies to protect client data from various threats must be provided. There should also be an ongoing effort to improve security systems to stay ahead of threats.
● Flexibility and Scalability
Flexibility is needed when you want a specific solution to your needs. One-size-fits-all providers cannot meet these demands. Look for one that is capable of giving you the exact service needed at the time it is necessary.
If everything goes as planned, your establishment will grow with time. A colocation provider who offers both flexibility and scalability is what you need in the long term. You could require more space for servers or higher power density to keep your hardware running.
What are the Advantages of Colocation
Companies or even individuals who need colocation hosting enjoy many benefits. A couple of the most significant ones to keep in mind when purchasing this type of service include:
● Reliability
Colocation data centres are usually created with the best specifications to support redundancy. This means at their disposal are backup power supply, multiple network connections via a variety of telecommunication companies, impressive physical security and much more.
They typically provide 24/7 onsite support that is vital in critical situations. Support staff regularly maintain systems which ensure 100% uptime for business activities. Overseeing all these internally would be time-consuming and pose a risk of delaying business operations if they are not attended properly.
● Fewer Technicalities
You can direct attention to subjects that have to do with your products and leave things like running cables, installing equipment, managing power and other technical issues to your colocation provider. In several instances, your service provider will even replace components for you and carry out other tasks if needed. This means you can lower the expenditure on IT staff that would have performed such work.
● Infrastructure
The most rewarding advantage of colocation is possibly its state-of-the-art infrastructure that stores client information. Environmental benefits that they offer may not be accessible with in-house management. They have resources for building, deploying and maintaining an infrastructure that can host huge amounts of data.
● Lower cost
If you compare the costs of building your data centre and with using a dedicated facility, choosing the latter would be glaringly obvious. Except your equipment needs a lot of room, then costs will be much lower if you choose colocation.
● Predictable Expenses
Costs related to these centres are quite predictable. With the contracts you sign with providers, you can make budget estimates that are more accurate regarding IT needs.
