One of the great things about the increasing rush toward the cloud and the rise of technological development, in general, is that there are a lot of providers for just about any service. From a basic internet service provider (ISP) to managed services, there are a host of firms available and eager to land a slice of market share for themselves. Colocation is no different, and there are often several firms to choose from here. So all that’s left is choosing the right colocation provider, a point that can be simpler than you might expect.

How Do You Go About Choosing the Right Colocation Provider?

Choosing the right colocation provider starts with these simple tips.

Consider your costs. Cost has to be a major point in the process; a provider can have everything your company needs, but if it’s not delivered within your budget, then there’s no point. Evaluate cost profiles carefully to ensure you’re getting the greatest impact for the money spent.

Be selective about security. Colocation depends on security; after all, this is your company’s data we’re talking about, and a proper security setup helps ensure that your data stays safe. While it’s vital to consider points like data access controls, also look at physical security. Things like locking cabinets, security cameras, even physical sign-in sheets help make sure your systems are as protected as they can be.

Plan for physical plant. Security is vital but even that is only part of the overall physical plant. Look into the colocation provider’s internal monitoring systems for things like temperature, moisture, airflow, and dust. Seeing how the provider can measure these potentially disastrous factors will give you an advance look at whether you’re letting yourself in for disaster.

Get guarantees. Guarantees here cover a wide range of issues. Consider how the provider approaches the concept of compliance, especially if you’re under a field that’s heavily regulated. Even if not regulated, consider looking at compliance for that extra security edge. Also look into the colocation service’s service level agreement (SLA) which defines things like uptime quantities and remedies for failure.

When You Need Help Choosing the Right Colocation Provider

While these points will give you a leg up in choosing the right colocation provider, it still may not be so cut-and-dried. Times like these make it worth reaching out to a provider that’s small enough to provide personal service but big enough to handle any level of need, including for major firms like DellEMC, NetApp, and HP3 Par. Reach out to us at EmconIT to thread the needle between service and power, and let us help you get the right colocation systems in place.