Posts Tagged ‘Colocation’

What to Look for in Colocation Services Providers

January 20th, 2012

Colocation services can be an affordable way for a business to maintain an impressive Internet presence. These services allow a business to concentrate on their business without worrying about the upkeep and maintenance of Internet servers. There are several points that should be considered before choosing a colocation provider.

How long has the provider been in business? There is something to be said for giving newcomers a chance. However, if your business depends on the stability and dependability of your servers, you should choose a provider that has established themselves in the industry. Along these same lines, consider the main purpose for the colocation provider. If the provider is primarily in some other industry and just sells colocation services on the side, they might not be as stable as a business that specializes in colocation.

Are there a lot of extra fees? Some providers will charge extra for every extra feature. Others include many needed features in the basic packages. There are plenty of providers that offer services like remote hands, cross connects and IP addresses for free. There is no reason to pay extra for these services.

How much security is available? The physical location should provide an element of security against criminal activity, as well as plans for natural disasters. Backups should be routine. Finally, consider the amount of security that is available for the actual connection. How safe is the data from people outside the building?

Are quality services provided? Make sure the colocation provider has fast connections and high quality network services. Nothing can be more frustrating than staring at a screen, waiting for a page to load. How many networks is the provider connected to? Make sure that this provider is able to offer the size of connection that your business will need.

Are there backup plans for emergencies? If the provider uses generators for backup power, make sure they are the type of generators that can run as long as needed. Some generators can only run for four hours. All systems should be redundant. The servers must stay cool. Is there a plan for the failure of air conditioning? Each section of the building should have redundant air conditioning to make sure the servers are able to stay cool at all times.

Consider these points before selecting a provider of colocation services for your business. These points will help you to make an education decision that can improve the quality of your business.