Colocation is the term used for servers and network connectivity systems that are housed within a remote data center and utilize cloud based technologies. At the most basic level, colocation (COLO) offers companies increased scalability, improved infrastructure and bandwidth, lower latency levels, increased security, and a host of specialist services. As technology becomes increasingly sophisticated, in house hosting and management of services and network infrastructure becomes inefficient, costly, and subject to devastating downtime and outages. More and more companies are opting to turn over data housing and management to large scale data centers in an effort to increase productivity and reduce costs.
Colocation Services For Your Business:
Colocation services offer fully secure client access to private servers. A client is provided with a server, which is housed in a remote data center, and is provided with full access to this server. Other clients are unable to access the server. All hardware is managed by the client without interference from the data center, unless assistance is requested. This aspect is the key selling point for colocation – clients are given complete access to the datacenter capabilities without losing any control over the management of their hardware.
What Are The Advantages of Colocation:
1. Ease of Scaling: Scalability is crucial in today’s ever changing technological world. The ability to increase or decrease your hardware and software capabilities quickly and without accruing additional costs fosters rapid business growth and security. By utilizing colocation, businesses avoid having to hire (and train) and fire staff as needs increase and decrease over time.
2. Improved Network Connectivity: Colocation providers house your server in an environmentally controlled facility, offer significantly increased bandwidth speed and utilize multiple redundancy measures to protect your infrastructure from downtime and outages.
3. Top Tier Security: Providing your network and servers with the level of security offered through colocation centers is a costly proposition. For one flat rate, colocation centers offer clients the following security measures: biometric scanners, closed circuit security cameras, coded access passwords, alarm systems, and onsite security personnel. All security measures are included in the service pricing structure.
4. Stability For Your Infrastructure: Onsite IT infrastructure is subject to a host of risks in the event of company relocation, international or domestic terror threats, national security threats, natural disasters, and wide spread power outages. Utilizing colocation services drastically reduces the risk of extended periods of downtime and service interruptions. Colocation centers operate with multiple backup generators and extensive contingency plans for protecting client data and server operations during a state of emergency.
5. Predictable Monthly Expenses: Managing the needed infrastructure for operation on a month to month basis can be unpredictable for companies utilizing onsite IT teams. When housing their own servers, companies are forced to purchase and maintain the equipment, staff, and insurance policies for all infrastructure components. With colocation, you are paying one, set, monthly price regardless of increases in equipment or data management needs.
Is your company currently outsourcing its IT needs? If not, speak to a specialist about how to streamline your company’s IT structure.
