The Expanding Colocation Market in 2015
Colocation is becoming an increasingly popular solution for data management. As more companies decide to outsource, the expanding market demands suppliers to be equipped with more than just space.
Colo services now include a variety of benefits and components that allow customers to focus their entire IT workforce on their actual product rather than logistical support. Providers offer comprehensive security features and fail-proof power systems to guarantee that your service is never interrupted. Many facilities are even operating as carrier hotels connecting multiple networks and telecommunication providers from within the same building. Having immediate access to your business partners on a shared network is a huge advantage, and today’s colo vendors have the ability to manage third party services or your entire cloud-based portfolio. Essentially, you optimize your data capacity without a costly restructure.
The Current Scene
The colo market has expanded to include over 1,400 facilities in locations all across the United States. Combined, these providers operate millions of square feet of data space, much of which is controlled by only a handful of major vendors. Furthermore, one-fifth of these providers handle three or more states, and some even operate foreign-based facilities to accommodate businesses wishing to support their overseas customers.
What Does This Mean for Providers?
In order to compete in this growing market, you must be willing to be transparent. Your customers want to know the specifics about your facility, power supply, configuration, and security measures. Furthermore, location is more important than it has been in the past, and regulations vary from state to state. Modern data management is much more complex, and the physical location of your facility does affect risk, performance, and overall cost.
What Does This Mean for Customers?
Storing data from multiple sources in one location is cheaper than running a self-sustaining operation. When outsourcing your data handling, you enjoy more efficient access to power and space. It’s the ideal solution for mid-level IT needs and even large-scale enterprises. You cut costs by freeing up space in your own building. Furthermore, off-site space is much more reliable, as vendors are developing more innovative facility designs and amenities to eliminate risk of data loss and theft. The latest features include high-tech physical configurations, 24/7 monitoring by highly skilled professionals, versatile infrastructures, and higher bandwidths.
If you’re a potential customer, know your needs first. There are definitely strategies involved when choosing a provider to handle your specific operation. Likewise, vendors must be versatile and willing to change on a daily basis. I gained my expertise on the subject through a local colocation provider. When reaching out to data management companies to acquire info, the location does not matter. However, location does lay a huge role in where you want your data center to be located in terms of colocation services. Anyway, In both cases, a professional consultation is a good way to gain valuable insight into this every changing market.
