No matter if you are only looking for a cabinet or are looking to employ a multi-location strategy, deciding upon a new data center is never trivial and always important. After all, your business depends on a data center that offers proper storage, security, and data handling—so it is essential that you find the right place that can handle it all.
In this new blog post, the team at Connectivity will present a list of tips you must consider when choosing a data center—and we will draw upon all of the lessons we have learned through years of business experience.
Considerations When Choosing a Data Center
Data center capabilities can vary incredibly—and while you are likely to find one that fits your needs, it is necessary to engage in a needs analysis prior to signing up for service. Consider these factors:
Location: If there is one place where the old adage “location, location, location” matters, it is when choosing a data center. Yes, you could save money with a center that is geographically distant, but doing so could make your company lose benefits of having it close by. For instance, depending on the type of wiring you are working with, distance could impact Internet speed. Copper cables lose signal strength at about 330 feet and fiber isn’t a problem—it can reach almost 25 miles before a slightly slower connection might be realized. Additionally, your data center should be easily accessible, especially when considering that your IT team might need to perform regular maintenance and upgrades. You do not want to pay for unproductive travel time.
Reliability: A suitable data center requires a power backup source. Therefore, consider system redundancies when identifying a data center. You want to ensure you are protected and operable when faced with an emergency or inclement weather. Additionally, confirm there is proper cooling and ventilation systems within the infrastructure.
Security: The data center should have a high-quality security system as it will house all of your enterprise applications and data. A breach to the data center could be disastrous and costly. What’s more, is that we aren’t only talking about security from a cyberattack; rather, the data center should have strong physical security in the form of surveillance, locks, and depending on size, security personnel.
Flexibility and Scalability: If the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that we all need to be flexible and able to pivot. In this regard, if your business is growing, is expecting to face changing requirements in the future, or anticipates upping your overall project capacity, then ensure the data center you are considering can keep up and handle your needs today—and tomorrow.
Reputation: Finally, do your research and ensure the data center you are considering has a solid reputation. Read testimonials and feedback and fully understand the experience of other clients and how the center addresses and solves issues. If you have the opportunity, try to speak with a client directly and get firsthand feedback about what you might expect.
Choosing the Right Data Center for Your Business
Identifying and deciding upon the right data center for your business is an important decision. Making the wrong decision in this regard could result in your company experiencing low-quality connections, security breaches, unplanned downtime, problems with scaling, and more. Of course, Connectivity NC would love to be your partner and help guide you in the right direction, while also ensuring your company’s infrastructure, cabling, and more are all high functioning. Reach out to our team today and let’s talk.