How Colocation and Private Clouds Work Together

Experts agree cloud computing offers unparalleled cost savings, data use and storage flexibility as well as cost control. However, data security concerns still keep many businesses from adopting a cloud-based infrastructure. This is where colocation comes to the rescue, as colocation is typically more secure.Colocation and private cloudhosting work together to offer your business the best of both worlds: great cost savings and secure data storage.

Putting Your Data in Expert Hands

Part of the reason businesses are reluctant to store so much data — data vital to business’ operations —in the digital sphere is they’re afraid of what will happen if the network crashes, a hacker gets in or a natural disaster destroys the servers. There are the daily operations, too; most businesses want to spend their time devoted to their customers and products or services, not worrying about possible technological hiccups. Some large corporations have the available space, employees and resources to house their own servers, but many businesses do not.

Colocation allows businesses to stop excessively worrying about digital data. A business entirely devoted to providing cloud storage for other businesses has the expertise to keep data secure, to upgrade hardware and to backup data in case of disaster. Colocation frees businesses to focus on their own day-to-day operations, trusting the cloud storage provider to focus on theirs.

As Much Space as Necessary

A business that uses their own servers has to physically clear the space somewhere in their office for the equipment, and to hire the workers to oversee data and fix technological issues. There may be times where a business only needs a fraction of that space and there may be times where a business needs more space than they have. When a business purchases and operates the equipment themselves, these adjustments are nearly impossible to make without great expense.

Businesses that rely on colocation need only use what is necessary and that amount can beadjusted. Not only does the business save on purchasing and operating the equipment to begin with, but the business only pays for the amount of space needed.

Going Private

Some businesses might worry if they colocate at a place with multiple clients, they’ll have to compete for digital space and technical support. That’s not the case with private clouds. Private digital storage providers recognize the importance of each business keeping their data separate. They keep hardware exclusive to the business that pays to rent them, never sharing storage space or hosting servers so each client gets optimum speed and maximum space.

Along with colocation, businesses are paying for expert technical support. Each client has access to a team of experts at the cloud storage provider. If a question arises or something goes awry, the business needs only to contact the digital storage provider. Support is available 24/7, so there’s no need for a business to worry about their technical support being closed for the weekend or “on vacation.” Digital storage providers recognize every business operates differently, so they provide round-the-clock service.

Private clouds and colocation offer businesses the chance to focus on their operations while leaving the technological issues and data security in expert hands. It’s also a way for businesses to save money and pay for the amount of space and support necessary, while knowing that amount is adjustable whenever necessary. With private clouds in particular, a company or organizationdoesn’t have to worry about having to share space or equipment with other businesses. Choosing colocation is not only a way to save money, but it’s more secure than operating a cloud system out of a typical company without the expertise, budget, space and equipment to keep sensitive business data safe.

About the Author: As head of IT for a mid-sized company, Carl Schmidt had the challenge of convincing his boss to adopt cloud-based data storage. Colocation provided a win-win solution to ease security concerns and update server capacity.