For some companies, the best way to store their data manage their infrastructure and provide the optimal experience for their customers, involves storing their hardware in another physical setting, which is referred to as colocation center or a data center. This is a crucial decision for your business, and there are many important considerations that will inform your choice of a provider. Location of the Center Unlike a cloud data service where your data is being stored in a virtual environment, this type of service involves you placing actual hardware in the center, hardware that you may want or need access to at some point. How quickly can someone from your company get to the center in the event you need to perform an upgrade or some sort of maintenance? You also want to take into account the weather conditions in the area—is it prone to severe events like tornadoes, earthquakes or hurricanes? The colocation center likely has taken many precautions in protecting itself from these events, but you want to consider what else you can do to protect your business. Full Range of Back Up Solutions There are a host of issues that could compromise your data and your hardware. When evaluating potential data centers, check on what back up (primary and secondary) solutions they have in place. This is not just in reference to your servers, but all critical components of the center such as the power, HVAC and fire suppression. Scalability Besides considering your immediate needs, you want to think about what your business will need a few years down the line. You want to choose a company that will be able to support your growth, that will offer the solutions that will meet your needs. Different companies have different offerings in terms of flexibility and customization; carefully examine what is available to you now and in the future. Concentration of Centers in a Specific Area One of the strongest indicators that a particular center has good connectivity is geographically hospitable and has reliable utility providers, is if it is located in an area where there are a host of other colocation centers. If the area was not good to support this type of service, multiple providers would not have set up shop there. Security Features It is important not only to consider the means through which a company manages your data and hardware, but the steps it takes to protect it. A center should have a range of advanced security measures in place, such as electronic access control, digital video, retinal scans and physical security in the form of 24/7 guards. Carefully Read Service Level Agreements (SLAs) Every company will provide a service level agreement, and it is important to comb through this document for any company you are considering. Within it, is information vital to your company, such as guaranteed uptime. Ideally, you should not settle for less than five nines—meaning that networks are guaranteed to be up and running 99.999 percent of the time. About the Author:Kelli Cooper is a freelance writer who blogs about all things tech. If you are looking for services in southern California, she recommends learning more about the most advanced colocation center in San Diego. Photo Credit Google+
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