1. Location
Geographic location is an important consideration for data center or server colocation space. Odds are, if many providers have built facilities in a particular location, that area is geographically hospitable, has good network connectivity, and reliable utility services. You will also want to consider how easily someone from your company can get to the physical location to upgrade, or service your equipment.
2. Time
Different colocation providers offer different levels of flexibility. Some will provide out of the box solutions that may or may not meet your needs. While other providers will offer more customized solutions, in addition to their standard offerings. Determine the availability of additional space, power and connectivity, so you choose a provider that can scale with you over time.
3. Natural disasters
Take into account how prone the area is to natural disasters such as hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, and tornadoes. If you must be in a disaster prone area, make sure you select a provider who has built a facility that can withstand disaster scenarios.
4. Reliability
Reliability is key when choosing a colocation provider. Colocation reliability is measured as uptime, the percentage of time a colocation is fully operational. A reliable colocation provider should have five 9s uptime, meaning they are up at least 99.99% of the time. Other things to look for are staff certifications, staff turnover, customer feedback, and on-site support (vs. outsourced).
5. Connectivity
Whether you want to connect with partners, distributors or even competitors for peering, interconnection can bring great value to your business. Before making a selection, learn about the available connectivity options. Is the facility carrier-neutral? Do they have a large ecosystem of customers already interconnecting with each other? Some facilities have multiple Meet Me Rooms, with separate building entrances to provide truly diverse physical pathways.
6. Deployment
Most businesses want their new space set up as quickly and efficiently as possible. Deployment efficiency can be difficult to quantify into a specific stat or number, but make sure your potential vendors clearly communicate timelines to you.
