Key Considerations For Choosing The Right Data Center Provider

For a while, it looked as though the rise of public cloud services would lead to the (near) end of private data centers. In actual fact, private data centers have remained core to business operations. Now, however, they tend to be implemented through colocation rather than as true on-premises infrastructure. With that in mind, here is a quick guide to the key considerations for choosing the right data center provider.

The role of the data center provider

Before looking at the key considerations for choosing the right data center provider, it’s helpful to understand the overall role of a data center provider.

By default, a data center provider is responsible for everything to do with the data center facility itself. This includes the digital infrastructure as well as the physical infrastructure. For example, a data center provider is responsible for ensuring that the digital systems used in data center operations are protected by a suitable level of security.

A data center provider does not take responsibility for a client’s own equipment or the data on it unless this is explicitly agreed with the client. Many data center providers can offer managed services and/or ad-hoc support as value-added services. It is, however, entirely up to the client whether or not they want to use those services.

Choosing the right data center provider for you

The success of any colocation arrangement often depends on finding the right data center provider for the business’ needs, wants, and budget. This means assessing both the data center facility itself and the data center provider that runs it. Here is an overview of the key points you should check.

Assessing the data center facility

Here are the 7 key points you should always check when assessing a data center facility.

Location: A data center’s location will generally have a strong influence on many aspects of its operations. For example, it will directly influence the data center’s accessibility. This, in turn, will influence its security. Crucially, a data center’s location will determine the distance that data has to travel between the data center and end users. This will influence latency.

Security and compliance: With colocation, businesses are heavily reliant on the data center provider’s security and compliance measures. It’s therefore vital to check that these meet your expectations.

Infrastructure: All data center providers will provide power, climate control, and network connectivity. You should, however, check the details of what, exactly, they support as this can make a real difference to your user experience. You should also check if they support any specialist infrastructure you require (or are likely to require). For example, if you want to use AI, you will benefit if your data center provider supports the specialist technology it uses.

Sustainability: Not only is sustainability a common business objective in its own right but improving the sustainability of data centers also often helps to lower their running costs. For example, improving energy efficiency lowers both a data center’s carbon footprint and its electricity bill.

Scalability: The more a data center can adapt to your business as it develops, the less likely it is that you will be forced into a migration.

Resilience: Resilience directly impacts a data center’s reliability. It’s therefore advisable to check how a data center provider ensures it. You should also check their disaster-recovery protocols.

Service guarantees: At a minimum, any reputable data center provider should provide an uptime guarantee of 99.999%+.

Assessing the data center provider

Here are the 5 key points you should always check when assessing a data center provider.

Availability: When assessing a data center provider’s availability, remember to look at different contact types (e.g. sales, general customer service, technical support). Also, be clear on what is available to all clients versus what is available on higher-value service packages.

Expertise: Look for both objective and subjective measures of expertise. Objective measures include certifications, evidence of staff qualifications, and membership of industry bodies. Subjective measures include their knowledge of your general industry and your specific business.

Industry reputation: It’s generally fairly easy to determine the industry reputation of established data center providers. For newer ones, you can look at the background and reputation of their management team.

Value-added services: Even if you do not intend to use value-added services (e.g. remote-hands support), it can still be useful if a vendor offers them. That way you know they are available if you want or need to use them.

Pricing: Check the overall cost structure as well as the headline prices. In particular, look at the price of achieving the level of flexibility you need. Keep in mind that many vendors will offer discounts and/or benefits to businesses that commit to longer-term and/or higher-value contracts.