The Key Features of a Data Center Service
As technology evolves, data centers are becoming more and more critical. Since there is more data online than ever before, security is a crucial factor. And security is not the only essential feature of a data center service. This article will explain the top reasons why data center services matter so much. Let’s get started.
What Are Data Center Services?
Many IT professionals refer to data center services as “DCaaS.” They are places in which remote clients can receive data from any location. A client begins the process by leasing a specific provider’s data center. The client then has access to:
- -networking
- -storage
- -servers
- -other data-related resources
Each resource belongs to the DCaaS provider. What do DCaaS providers do?
They help companies expand their own data centers. Companies struggle to expand their data centers due to issues that often involve:
- -limited bandwidth
- -limited rack space
- -limited power
- -limited cooling
- -limited capital
- -an inexperienced IT staff
- -other potential negative factors
Your average DCaaS provider can supply the above criteria to each of their clients. It all depends on what each client requirements. DCaaS also can give data management tools to its clients.
The tools help businesses take care of security while boosting company servers.
Outsourcing is the key concept when it comes to working with a DCaaS provider. In other words, a data center gets leased based on the terms in each contract. Clients can then use a WAN (wide-area network) to gain access to their provider’s resources. This can happen from any remote location.
The Pros and Cons of Data Center Services
Using a DCaaS has many advantages. What is one of the biggest ones? DCaaS are capable of providing crucial expansions when data centers face setbacks. This frees up a company’s IT employees’ time to concentrate on other tasks. Many people rave about the average DCaaS pay-as-you-go models. They help prevent companies from paying for services that they do not need. This gives each DCaaS client a lot of financial freedom.
What are two of the largest cons when it comes to working with DCaaS providers?
- A lack of availability.
- A lack of business continuity.
Here is an example. Sometimes specific DCaaS applications become unable for clients to access. This is often due to either WAN disruptions or the downtime of the particular provider.
Sure, SLAs always define what services are available at all times.
SLA stands for “service-level agreement.” But unanticipated downtime is bound to take place from time-to-time. This is why every DCaaS client should read through the SLAs word-for-word.
Keep in mind that DCaaS providers can sometimes join forces with other companies.
This can become a huge potential problem for clients. Why? Because staffing issues can take place. Also, a DCaaS has the potential to go out of business at any moment. Doing so leaves clients scrambling to find another data center service provider.
This means the client has to figure out how to recover and salvage their data and applications.
7 Other Important Benefits of Data Center Services
1) Private clouds.
Sure, there are now more public cloud providers than ever before. But many businesses remain skeptical about getting involved with them. Having a private cloud makes business owners feel more secure. That is why the private clouds associated with DCaaS are so important. You want your data to be in safe hands at all times. Keep in mind that using a private cloud can feel overwhelming for small business workers. A data center may need to assist you throughout the entire process. But your IT team’s hard work is worth it in the end. Private clouds blow public clouds away with tons of better features.
2) Hybrid clouds.
One DCaaS feature more and more businesses are turning to is that of the hybrid cloud. These clouds feature architecture associated with colocation providers. Why are they known as “hybrid” clouds? They combine the flexible nature of a public cloud with the crucial security of a private cloud. Many businesses rave about how easy it is to transfer data. Those transfers can take place using any hybrid cloud environment. Organizations are also able to move entire applications with ease. The encrypted connections help ensure that a company’s data remains private.
3) More than one cloud at the same time.
Your organization may realize that one cloud is not good enough. Well, DCaaS is here to help. Many of them offer multi-cloud solutions. These convert separate cloud providers into one entire network.
This has become an excellent solution for many businesses.
Diverse and advanced business needs are boosting the popularity of multi-cloud solutions. Sometimes the networks get constructed through only a single vendor. Other times, a more advanced system’s put in place by the DCaaS. This allows data centers to exceed the requirements of most companies.
4) Saving money.
Most DCaaS work with businesses to cut as many costs as possible. What is their secret weapon to doing so? Any DCaaS can off-load its technology infrastructure—positions organizations to save lots of money.
All businesses have to do is inform the DCaaS of services or costs that they want to avoid.
This allows companies to save money both in the short-term and long-term.
Here is an example. Does your business want to scale data services in the long-term? If so, almost any data center service can assist you with that key action. DCaaS have a reputation for being fast and not demanding a large up-front investment. Since time is money, this fast service will stop your competitors from getting ahead of you.
Working with a DCaaS is also a lot cheaper than constructing a private data center.
Business owners are often shocked when they realize the savings associated with DCaaS. Even running a mere “data closet” can cost companies thousands of dollars in a short time.
This is why your IT infrastructure should include a data center service.
For example, the high cost of energy alone can add up fast. Also, in-house servers do not have the capabilities that DCaaS servers have. In-house servers also have a larger carbon footprint.
5) The services are always active.
DCaaS provides every business with 24/7 support. This means that uptime is never interrupted and remains unmatched. Does your business depend on a reliable network so your customers can benefit? If so, a quality data center service is your best bet. Keep in mind that even a little downtime can do a great deal of harm. That harm leads to direct financial repercussions. Once again, this is reason enough to always avoid public clouds.
Say your company stores data on a public cloud.
But an outage takes place that lasts a week. Imagine how much revenue your company will lose during those seven days. Your IT team will feel helpless. Their success will depend on the public cloud getting fixed. Not to mention, a lot of public cloud providers go out of business. But DCaaS always feature plenty of backups and safety measures. These measures often ensure that services continue to operate at all times.
6) World-class security measures.
Sure, uptime is important. But what do data center clients care about more than anything else? Security. Almost every DCaaS features plenty of advanced security features. This allows clients to rest easy at night, knowing that their data is in good hands.
Too many people assume that data centers are only good for providing equipment.
Equipment is only a fraction of what you are paying for with any DCaaS. You are also paying for a network environment designed for advanced security. This applies to both digital and physical security. Data centers use advanced techniques to prevent all types of cyber threats. These include safety measures against DDoS attacks. DDoS stands for “Distributed Denial of Service.” DCaaS work hard to keep server rooms secure on a 24/7 basis.
7) Rule and regulation compliance.
Data centers go the extra mile by complying with government rules and regulations. This allows business owners to relax. They realize that their company is in good hands with any major DCaaS. Having an in-house data center would mean having to deal with compliance issues. It’s better to allow a DCaaS to take care of that hassle for you and your staff. Say the government updates a regulation. Your DCaaS will inform you of the upcoming changes and how they will affect your company.