As we discussed in our previous blog post, there are many benefits to choosing colocation instead of a traditional data center. These include lower cost, increased security and ease of access. Once you’ve made the decision to colocate your data and IT equipment, the next step is to actually find a colocation facility that meets your needs. How should that be done?

There are certain things to consider when choosing a colocation provider. We’ll go over a few below.

Still unsure of the process? Download our free colocation guide!

Location and Amenities:

Is the facility located close to the company’s office? If not, is it within driving distance of a major airport for easy access? Does it offer a comfortable work environment for IT technicians? Is it in a location that experiences severe weather, and if so, has it taken the proper precautions?

Security and Stability:

Is sufficient security (physical and virtual) in place? How often does the facility test its primary and backup power and cooling systems? Is the provider audited by a third party for data security, or take any additional data security measures? Is there a fire protection system in place?

Carrier Neutrality:

Is the provider carrier neutral, offering broad network choices and access to multiple internet service providers?

Scalability and Value Added Services:

Is there room to grow? Are additional services, like cloud or managed hosting, available for future use if business needs change?

Service Level Agreement:

Does the provider offer a strong SLA? If an issues arises, will you be able to immediately speak with a local engineer, or will you have to wait until the next business day?

Clearly, there are several concerns to keep in mind when choosing a colocation facility. Don’t be afraid to ask all of these questions and more. Your company’s data, applications and operations are its most important asset, and choosing a colocation facility that will protect them is key to your success.

For more information on colocation and how to choose a colocation facility that is right for your business, download our free colocation guide.

Vaultas offers colocation in our fault tolerant data centers, with access to our many world-class, redundant network and bandwidth providers. All of our colocation facilities are fitted with reliable IT infrastructure, access to many different cloud operators, storage providers and redundant networks. Every Vaultas site provides redundant electrical and cooling systems that are monitored 24 hours a day, offering the greatest protection and security available.

Want to learn more? Get in touch today.