Secrets to Choosing a Dallas Colocation Provider

The service can account for large operational costs, and also determines the performance of your IT operations. Consider the following useful reminders:

Quality of Facility

Everybody wants a good deal, but price should not be the only consideration in choosing a Dallas colocation service. Cost-effectiveness means getting the best quality and value for money. This applies to everything, not just IT services. More often than not, getting services cheap may mean some compromises in services. The colocation facility should be equipped with redundant power, connections, and hardware. The absence of these would explain why services are offered at a much cheaper package. Options like redundancies cannot be skimped on when running mission-critical operations. Pick a Dallas colocation facility that matches all the requirements of an on-site data center . Visit the site and ensure it is physically resilient and is built according to industry standards. If it isn’t, then look for another one that is. Don’t risk company data and operations over a few discounts.

Compliance and Industry Standards

Businesses should check that the Dallas colocation service bears high-performance standards. Ensure that it has been type-approved and has passed SAS 70 Type II certifications. Such certifications mean that the provider underwent through a series of independent audit processes. This assures businesses that whatever data and equipment hosted and controlled internally are well-protected.

Redundancy and Connectivity

Choose a Dallas colocation service provider that offers redundancy for failovers and attacks. Hosting services through one that is connected to a carrier-neutral facility brings many advantages. They should offer the option to choose which internet provider to connect with. Businesses often combine internet services where fiber-dedicated connections serve as the primary link. The secondary link is a provider whose connection is entirely different and independent from the primary link. Having these options available to businesses provides great benefits, because it ensures uptime. Seconds of downtime translate to loss in revenue and wasted opportunities. A Dallas colocation service will have more than enough resources to provision a company’s needs. With a backup power, hardware, and internet link, companies achieve redundancy and minimal revenue loss.   

Range of Services

One important thing to note is the range of services a provider offers. They say it isn’t wise to put all the eggs in just one basket.  However, having systems dispersed over a few data centers is not effective, either. It defeats the purpose of having a cost-effective, agile system working to meet company needs. Additionally, early termination of services is very difficult, no matter the reasons. Colocation services normally bind companies to a 3-year contract. Make sure that the Dallas colocation provider can adequately address a 5-year IT roadmap. Know what limitations the provider has in terms of expertise, provisioning, services, and support. Do they render 24x7 service? If so, how fast can they scale and will scaling up cause downtime? Ask if they Dallasmanage their facilities onsite or through remote access. Remember that they should always have adequate workforce onsite and remotely supporting the facility. This ensures that minimal downtime is incurred in the unlikely case a service fails.

Relationship and Customer Support

A facility’s physical security isn’t the only important thing that needs to be considered. In choosing a Dallas colocation, look for one that shares the company’s best interest. Spend time interacting with the provider’s former or current client base. These references can help determine if the provider’s service is a must-have or a must-avoid. To have a seamless and positive colocation experience, the relationship must have a solid foundation. This is built and anchored on the great customer service rendered by a Dallas colocation provider. They should be able to resolve future issues and requests within the agreed service levels. Each task delivered should also comply to business best practices in deployment and operations.

While there may be other things to consider, these pointers are a good start. These are some of the main considerations in picking out the right Dallas colocation provider. To sum up, pick a provider that offers the best options. Its offerings should transcend beyond being a repository of company hardware. It should serve as a foundation towards achieving future technology perspectives.  It should support company IT initiatives as the business expands its horizons.