How to avoid hidden pitfalls when procuring professional colocation

In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, businesses are increasingly relying on data centres to store, process and manage their critical information. As the demand for data centre capacity continues to rise, organisations are faced with the challenge of finding the most suitable data centre partner. This can be challenging as the market is complex and difficult to navigate. This makes it increasingly difficult to make an informed purchasing decision.

In this post, I will explore the common challenges encountered by data centre buyers and recommend how best to avoid them.

Evaluating ESG Impact

Considering environmental impact is essential when selecting a colocation partner. Assessing a provider’s commitment to sustainable practices, ethical governance and community involvement not only mitigates risks but also promotes corporate responsibility. Data centres consume a significant amount of power and older data centres can be extremely inefficient. So, selecting a colocation provider that uses 100% sustainable power and employs highly efficient cooling technology is a key consideration, especially for companies that need to reduce their Scope 2 and 3 carbon emissions.

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Futureproofing

When purchasing data centre capacity, it’s important to not only consider your immediate short-term requirements, but also to consider your long term needs. By anticipating future growth, scalability requirements, and technological advancements, you can ensure that the colocation facility you chose remains suitable as your business evolves. For example: what impact will AI have on your colocation requirements, and will you need to deploy demanding HPC infrastructure to meet this demand?

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Security and Compliance

When choosing a colocation provider, security is paramount. Evaluate their physical security measures, access controls, data encryption, compliance certifications, and disaster recovery protocols. Verify their track record and willingness to share security practices to ensure that your data andinfrastructure will be safe in their facility.

Risk Mitigation

Selecting the wrong data centre partner can be costly and expose your business to various risks, including downtime, security breaches and compliance issues. Make sure to conduct thorough due diligence on potential providers, evaluating their infrastructure reliability, security measures and cost models.

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Check Track Record

Gathering references is vital when choosing a colocation provider. Contacting existing clients can provide invaluable insights into their reliability, customer service, and performance. Hearing about their experiences firsthand helps ensure that the provider aligns with your business needs and expectations, enhancing the selection process.

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Inform your Decision Making

Research and market benchmarking are pivotal in choosing a colocation partner. Thoroughly understanding industry trends, pricing, and service offerings empowers businesses to make informed decisions. It ensures that the selected provider not only meets current needs but also remains competitive and adaptable as the business evolves.

We can partner with you to ensure you get your co-location strategy right. Check out our website for more detail and get in touch to see how we could help.

Rob Cooper?

Director | Head of Data Centre Advisory EMEA CBRE Ltd | Data Centre Solutions Henrietta House | Henrietta Place | London | W1G 0NB

M +44 (0) 7802 743789 [email protected]