Data centres are purpose-built facilities that allow businesses or organisations to house their data off-site, freeing up floorspace and improving their computing environments for a fraction of the cost of developing their own.

By moving some or all of their server and storage infrastructure to a data centre, businesses remove any costs and burdens associated with in-house management, enabling them to invest energy and resources into what matters most - running their business.

While deciding whether or not to outsource data centre hosting is relatively easy, deciding who to entrust with the management and protection of that equipment requires a much more informed decision. When choosing a provider, there are a number of factors to consider:

Investments in technology & equipment

A provider should be making significant investments in the best, next generation technology and equipment in order to deliver the best possible service to its customers. A data centre built to Tier 3 standards is preferable. Also consider whether or not it’s built for efficiency in power usage and cooling; free (or fresh) air cooling is widely considered to be the best cooling method as it’s far more efficient than using energy-hungry chiller units all year round.

Power efficiency

The energy efficiency of a data centre can be determined by its PUE (power usage effectiveness) - the lower the PUE, the higher the efficiency. Efficient, but traditional data centres will typically possess a PUE of 2 or above, whereas next generation data centres can be up to 40% more efficient, with some boasting a PUE as low as 1.25. Needless to say, a data centre with a low PUE results in better efficiency and savings for the client.

Levels of security

The importance of data security is not to be underestimated, as many companies and organisations rely on their data for survival. While outsourcing data centre hosting is generally a safer alternative to onsite management, there are still a number of potential security risks involved, including: logical risks (network and systems); physical risks (CCTV, intruder alarms and door access) and procedural risks (visitor access and protocol).

When choosing a facility to house your data be sure that the provider has made every effort to adhere to best practice standards when it comes to security. A provider that has invested significantly in security will be confident in their offering and be happy to explain their investments. Better still, look for a provider who is ISO 27001-certified; this certification is evidence that the company meets the highest security standards.

24/7/365 manned support & monitoring

The vast majority of providers will claim to offer ‘round the clock’ support. However not all deliver that promise. It’s a business’s right to have unbroken access to its IT equipment, so ensure that you’re able to access what you need, when you need it. A good way to test a provider’s commitment to round-the-clock access is to call them periodically at unsociable hours - if your call falls on deaf ears, they’re best avoided.

Scalability

The goal of any business or organisation is to grow over time, so make sure that a provider has the space and resources to grow with you. A provider should have the ability to absorb new technologies at no expense to the client.

Choosing a data centre and colocation hosting provider is a decision that shouldn't be taken lightly, so be sure to consider all of the points above when meeting with prospective providers.