The Data Center market, which popularized during the 90’s thanks to the progressive digitalization of society, has become a fundamental element in the economy and for the digitalization of the enterprises.
The growing demand of data by the companies is explained by a increment in the online activity, which translates into a exponential increment in the Data Center industry, for the housing of servers and its information. But, what are exactly the Colocation Services?
In essence, this service is based in renting space to host the servers of a cliente, supplying electricity and cooling for the installed equipment, also guaranteeing the highest levels of physical and logical security, as well as connectivity from different fiber operators. All of it allows the client to install and operate the servers in a safe and efficient way.
One of the keys of the Colocation services resides in the scalability of the service in case of needing more space, in addition to guaranteeing the safety and stability of the systems which are already managed by specialized TI personnel.
Colocation Services allows the clients to reduce the costs associated to building, maintenance and update of on-premise Data Centers, by sharing these infrastructure costs with other clients, and thus generating important scale economies while guaranteeing their independent spaces.
Differences between Colocation and Hosting
In the market of housing services there are two types of services, similar, but with differences.
On one hand, there are the Hosting Services, in which the provider of the space is responsible for maintaning and managing the servers, ensuring that they are updated and in permanent operation. It tends to be a service adapted to companies with lack of resources and in need of a web hosting with low costs and that is easy to use.
On the other hand, in Colocation, a client rents a space in a Data Center to house its own servers. The client, generally, operates and maintains its own servers, while the Data Center provides safety measures. as well as a resilient infrastructure, providing uninterrupted energy, cooling and connectivity. It is a service focused in companies that need a hgigh level of customization and control over its servers.
Carrier Neutral Services
Another competitive advantage when a client selects a Data Center is the neutrality of the network. A Data Center offers the possibility of using the network that bests suits the needs of the client, operating a service known as “Carrier Neutral”, not limiting to a unique fiber provider.
Some of the main advantages are:
1. More Flexibility
It allows the clients to choose between multiple fiber and telecommunications service providers, not limiting to a unique provider, and using the network that most fits their needs.
2. Cost Reduction
Having multiple providers, clients can compare prices and choose the best option in terms of cost and quality of service.
3. More Resilience
It minimizes the chances of an interruption in the network, as the Data Center has several operators in it, having the option of operating the servers in a multicarrier model.
4. Access to a wider choice of services
The clients have the option of hiring a wide range of telecommunication services, including cloud computing, cibersecurity services, among others.
The future of Colocation Services in Data Centers
While the digitalization of society and the companies goes in crescendo, Data Centers are gaining more notoriety as the base that guarantees the future of the digital economy. Changes of habits, the impact of remote work o tools derived from the AIs will trigger a constant growth in the demands of Power and physical space. Something in which Spain has a competitive advantage in this ecosystem. As the gateway between Europe and Africa, and the main link with Latin America, the forecasts are getting bigger in Data Center construction, being each time more efficient.
Thanks to the technological developments, this new infrastructures will be more efficient in terms of sustainability and will cover the demands of clients and society.