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The Power of Colocation in Data Centre Strategy

Written by NEXTDC. | Jan 22, 2024 10:22:18 PM

The Power of Colocation in Data Centre Strategy

In a data-driven and interconnected world, the need for rapid and reliable access to data and applications is paramount for effective operations and customer engagement. Data centres serve as the backbone of this delivery, concentrating computing and networking equipment to collect, store, process, distribute, and allow access to vast amounts of data.

Challenges of In-House Data Centre Management

Building and managing a secure, reliable, and high-performing data centre is a complex task, requiring significant capital, skilled personnel, and time—resources many organisations may lack. Recognising these challenges, organisations turn to colocation data centres as a strategic solution.

 

Colocation: Outsourcing for Optimal Efficiency

Colocation involves the strategic relocation of servers to professionally managed data centres, such as NEXTDC, eliminating the hassles of on-site maintenance and providing optimal conditions without the need for costly infrastructure. This outsourcing solution allows organisations to maintain focus on their core business activities rather than getting bogged down in data centre management.

Colocation services offer a range of benefits that would be challenging for most organisations to achieve independently. By renting space, power, and interconnection, organisations can leverage colocation to support their privately-owned servers and networking equipment. Additionally, colocation facilities are regularly upgraded to meet evolving IT requirements and the increasing demands of data processing, especially with the growing utilisation of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning.

 

Unlocking the Power of Colocation: 10 Key Benefits for Organisational Success

Embracing colocation services is a strategic move that empowers organisations with numerous advantages. As the digital landscape evolves, organisations seek scalable and efficient solutions for their IT infrastructures. Here are ten compelling benefits that make a strong case for integrating colocation into your business strategy:

1. Controlled Costs

Escape the burden of constructing and maintaining an on-site data centre, redirecting resources for revenue-centric initiatives.

Shift from capital expenditures (CapEx) to operating expenses (OpEx), ensuring a consistent and predictable monthly payment structure.

Enjoy the flexibility to pay only for the required space, power, and connectivity, leveraging economies of scale.

2. Strategic Data Centre Locations

Leverage third-party data centres strategically located to meet organisational needs.

Establish disaster recovery (DR) sites at a safe distance from primary locations, without the expense of building multiple data centres.

3. Data Centre Redundancy and Diverse Connectivity Options

Ensure 100% uptime with redundant infrastructure and advanced interconnection.

Access a variety of carriers and major hyperscale clouds, enhancing resilience and connectivity.

4. Rapid Scalability

Quickly address capacity requirements by renting existing space, eliminating the challenges of perfectly sizing an internal data centre.

Scale up or down based on organisational growth, extending to bandwidth expansion for traffic spikes.

5. 24x7x365 Onsite Expertise

Utilise a skilled team of professionals available 24x7x365 for optimal data centre performance.

Augment expertise with on-demand solutions like data centre migration for specific needs, enhancing customer experience.

6. Data Centre Security and Compliance

Benefit from multi-layered physical security features, including biometric access controls and surveillance systems.

Meet compliance certifications and standards such as SOC 1, SOC 2, ISO, NABERS, Uptime, and PCI DSS etc.

7. On-going Innovation

Tap into continuous investments in innovative technologies, improving operational efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and overall performance.

Stay ahead in a fast-paced digital landscape with scalable and adaptive data centre environments.

8. Cost Savings

Eliminate the capital expenditures associated with building and maintaining an on-site data centre.

Reduce costs related to power supply, cooling, security, and facility maintenance, contributing to overall financial savings.

9. Reliability

Enjoy Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for uptime that surpass on-premises data centres.

Benefit from redundant systems and around-the-clock monitoring, minimising the risk of downtime.

10. Scalability

Seamlessly expand or contract IT infrastructure without physical constraints, adapting to changing organisational needs.

Access public and private cloud services for inherent scalability, fostering agility and efficiency.

 

Conclusion: Elevate Your Business with Colocation

Colocation data centres present a holistic solution that aligns with the dynamic requirements of modern organisations. Whether aiming for cost-effectiveness, reliability, or scalability, colocation offers a pathway to sustainable growth and success in the ever-evolving digital era.

Evaluating the Ideal Colocation Data Centre Provider

Choosing the perfect colocation data centre demands a tailored approach aligned with your organisation's distinct needs While factors like uptime, security, and scalability are important for everyone, it's crucial to carefully examine specific details to make sure the solution fits your goals.

Choosing the wrong data center can be risky for your organisation. It's the core of your infrastructure, storing crucial data and running essential operations. Evaluating data center options thoroughly is vital, aligning with your strategic needs and regulations. Use our checklist to carefully assess the key criteria and find the best provider for you.

NEXTDC's Data Centre Checklist Evaluation Criteria:

  • Proven Industry Experience
  • Power
  • Fire Protection
  • Network and Connectivity
  • Security
  • Location
  • Growth and Scalability
  • Services Offered
  • Amenities

Why Choose NEXTDC for Your Data Centre Needs?

Dynamic Partner Ecosystem:  

Leverage Australia's most extensive partner ecosystem with a community of 750+ partners to enable more connections with carriers, cloud providers, and IT service providers. 

Hybrid Cloud Experience: 

Empowering customers to leverage cloud first strategies and optimise multi-cloud deployments to scale mission critical IT infrastructure. 

AI, High-Performance Computing and Edge Design:  

NEXTDC is at the forefront of supporting Edge computing and High-Performance Compute (HPC) requirements, providing customised solutions to accelerate your AI journey.  

100% Uptime:  

The only data centre operator in the southern hemisphere with Tier IV Gold certification for Operational Sustainability, NEXTDC guarantees zero downtime for reliability and performance. 

Data Centre Interconnectivity:  

Secure, private, and direct access to Australia’s most connected range of global cloud providers, integrated with a nationwide network of data centre facilities. 

World Class Design and Operations: 

Internationally recognised for designing, constructing, and operating Australia’s market leading Tier IV facilities, certified by globally renowned Uptime Institute. 

Sustainability Driven:  

Demonstrating a commitment to sustainability, NEXTDC prioritizes renewable energy sources, achieving leading standards such as 5-star NABERS energy efficiency ratings and TRUE certification. 

DTA Certification for Government Agencies:  

NEXTDC is certified by Australia’s Digital Transformation Agency (DTA), to ensure compliant and sovereign critical infrastructure choice for government at all levels. 

Industry Recognition:  

NEXTDC, a listed company on the ASX 100, stands out with industry peer awards as the region's most innovative and customer focused data centre provider. 

Carbon Neutral Operations:  

NEXTDC's corporate operations are certified carbon neutral under the Australian Government’s Climate Active Carbon Neutral Standard. 

Efficiency and Cost Management:  

Engineered for outstanding energy efficiency, NEXTDC data centres deliver industry-leading benchmarks for minimising operational cost and total cost of ownership.