Data storage is a critical investment for any company. Businesses operate in an age where IT infrastructure plays an invaluable role in daily operations. Part of maintaining an efficient system is knowing where to store data. As with most enterprises, you can choose from two primary options. One is an in-house data center where you store servers on your company premises.
It means you own the hardware and other resources required for the center. The other solution is colocation storage, where you share space with other users. The provider you work with is responsible for managing your data storage. Before picking between the two, you should know which one caters to your business requirements. In this article, you can find out what each storage solution offers.
Managed Colocation Data Centers
Cost is the biggest selling point of colocation providers. For one, you can rent space according to needs. Colocation data centers rent by the suite, cage, cabinet, or rack. Thus, you don’t have to waste storage. Another cost saving is the absence of overhead expenses. You don’t incur the costs of maintaining an entire section in your building, which can be expensive. Additionally, you eliminate the cost of hiring an in-house IT team to keep servers in optimal condition.
As a managed service, a colocation data facility saves you from worrying about the minutiae. TRG Datacenters deliver 100% uptime and disaster-proof systems. Redundant power and high-speed internet are other advantages colocation storage comes with.
Security is a plus side when working with a colocation provider. These centers have advanced safety measures that your company may not be able to afford.
If you choose this type of data storage, however, you give up control of your data servers. The vendor is responsible for the management. Hence, monitoring the infrastructure is difficult.
Despite the provider managing the system, compliance still falls on you. So, if the vendor fails, your company is responsible.
Access to your servers depends on how far the facility is. If the location is too far, then your IT experts can’t conduct regular maintenance.
In-House Data Centers
Owning the equipment used to store data gives you significant freedom. You can scale the storage as the need arises. If your company expands, you can adjust the data center to meet the changes without spending too much.
Full access to your data allows you to track compliance. If you are in an industry with strict regulatory requirements, then holding your data on-premises is practical. It eliminates the risk of third parties accessing confidential information. Of course, you need appropriate security to guarantee that.
The setup and running costs of an on-premises facility are incredibly prohibitive. You have to buy computing hardware and other equipment and then install it. Constructing the center and retrofitting it as necessary also comes with substantial costs. After setting up the infrastructure, it will require a professional team for operation and maintenance. All these expenses add up, making in-house data storage out of reach for many businesses.
Compared to a colocation center, on-premises storage doesn’t have the same redundancy capabilities. Your company can find it challenging to have disaster recovery systems and efficient security measures in place. You risk constant downtime.
So, in-house or collocation? The right answer comes down to business needs. A big company with rapidly increasing data storage demands can afford to invest in an on-premises center. Conversely, a small or medium-sized enterprise would be better served by a colocation facility, leaving all the important details to the vendor.
