Data Center-as-a-Service vs. Colocation

The advancement in technology has brought the digital age making the world run on data. Almost everything we do uses some form of data, whether it's browsing the internet, checking and responding to emails, streaming shows, and films on our favorite streaming service, or sending a message on your smartphone.

We use data constantly throughout the day. Data is also used by most businesses to help strategize and see where they should be looking in the future. All of these things are making data centers a vital part of our modern world. Datacenter services, including colocation, are an essential aspect for many individuals and businesses alike.

This brings different storage service variations like colocation and Data Center-as-a-Service or DCaaS to the masses. But what is DCaaS, and how does it differ from colocation??

What is Colocation??

Before we get into colocation, we should also discuss other ways companies or individuals can store data. The first way a company can store data is on their premises and in their own data center. This is referred to as an in-house data center.

A company that owns its servers and networking hardware and is managed by its staff on its premises runs what is known as an in-house data center.?

A dedicated server is another option for many businesses and individuals. Harnessing the power of a dedicated server from a trusted data center provider can get companies and individuals more benefits than running their own on-premises data center. These benefits include more connectivity options, better uptime and reliability, improved security, and even savings on cost.

A dedicated server gives companies an enterprise-grade server that professionals run. This means faster load times for websites, enhanced security, and endless customization options. A dedicated server also means that you have complete control of every aspect of the server.??

These dedicated server benefits also mean a higher price tag. This brings us to colocation. Colocation through a trusted data center provider still offers many of the same benefits of a dedicated server including, better connectivity, improved network security, redundant power, room for growth, reliability, and more.

The main difference between colocation and a dedicated server is the business or individual sharing a server with other companies and individuals. This helps bring down the cost of making using a data center provider more accessible to various groups.

A colocation is a great option for small to medium-sized businesses and individuals who don't need a server all to themselves.?

What Is Data Center as a Service??

Cloud computing and cloud services have changed the way we as individuals and businesses use various software applications. Many applications can be implemented and utilized through a cloud provider through the internet in the "as-a-service model."

Companies and individuals alike can take advantage of various software and advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence (AIaaS), test environments (TEaaS), networks (NaaS), monitoring (MaaS), framework (FaaS), Disaster Recovery (DRaaS), and now even data centers or DCaaS.

Data Center-as-a-Service gives companies and individuals the power of a physical data center's infrastructure and facilities. Like all as-a-service services, DCaaS provides this power (a provider's storage, servers, and all networking resources) to users through an internet connection.

This is beneficial for several different reasons. Utilizing the power of a physical data center can help support some of the logistical issues that some individuals and small to medium-sized businesses have in their own on-premises data centers.

DCaaS can be used to supplement some of the needs their in-house data center cannot handle. DCaaS is also easier to scale up or down than their own on-premises data center giving companies and individuals more flexibility.

There are additional benefits of using data center-as-a-service, which include management. Some companies have management needs that go beyond what their current staff can handle.

Companies that use DCaaS don't need to worry about maintaining systems and rely on service IT support. DCaaS users can also choose the level of service they require, which gives them just what they need and nothing more.?

Traditional Colocation vs. Data Center-as-a-Service?

It's not truly about colocation vs. Data Center-as-a-Service. DCaaS is a part of the future of colocation data centers. Just as a few years ago, people were pitting data centers and the cloud. The truth is, the cloud is a data center, and DCaaS will be a part of what data centers and colocation data centers will be in the future.

But the reason why an individual or a company may choose traditional colocation over DCaaS is about the relationships. It's all about the connections. The customer service you get from a trusted data center provider or colocation data center can be worth more than the convenience of utilizing these services through an internet connection.

Many trusted data center providers had built a solid relationship with their clients over the years, earning their confidence and trust along the way.

When you have an issue with your services—wouldn't you rather pick up a phone and talk to someone instead of using a chatbot?

Chats can be helpful, but traditional colocation data centers can offer a convenient chatbot and accurate customer service professionals that care about the issues you are dealing with.

Data center-as-a-Service may undoubtedly be a large part of the future of colocation data centers. The convenience of accessing and utilizing a physical data center infrastructure and its facilities remotely through an internet connection is a convenient way to harness a data center's power.

As technology changes and advances, so will the way we manage and store data. DCaaS will play an essential role for many individuals and businesses alike in the future. The accessibility and ease of use that DCaaS can offer are remarkable, but the customer service and the customer care that people can offer are even more so.

Nothing can quite match the reliability and care that a person can give to another. While DCaaS will be an essential part of colocation data centers' future, I believe people will be the most important.