Intelligent Data Centres Issue 37 | Page 64

AS THE BUSINESS LANDSCAPE CONTINUES TO CHANGE , SO HAVE THE WAYS IN WHICH DATA CENTRES ARE LOOKING TO SUPPORT THE MSP AND ISP COMMUNITIES .
UNCOVERING THE LAYERS complex infrastructure deployments , or who can meet strict timescales , especially where speed of installation , security and operational reliability are concerned .
The need for new partnerships
Key considerations for outsourcing
As with any service provider , cost is a key aspect of the decision-making process . MSPs cannot , however , put a price on reputation , so reliability , connectivity , security and efficiency are all important factors . Efficiency – especially in the form of power usage – can be critical and the more energy efficient a data centre provider can be , the lower the Total Cost of Ownership ( TCO ) for the user . A data centre provider with a lower PUE can provide a cost-effective and scalable platform to support MSP growth , something highly appealing where cost and consolidation are influential .
AS THE BUSINESS LANDSCAPE CONTINUES TO CHANGE , SO HAVE THE WAYS IN WHICH DATA CENTRES ARE LOOKING TO SUPPORT THE MSP AND ISP COMMUNITIES .
Diverse connectivity and low latency are also determining factors , and MSPs will often seek out carrier-neutral colocation providers who have access to dark fibre rings , 100Gb wavelengths and who can deliver enterprise-level connectivity solutions . Many end-users are moving towards hybrid IT environments with a mix of on-premise infrastructure and cloud , so real-time access to data and application availability are indeed business-critical .
Size , in terms of scalability , alongside physical security and customer experience , are also crucial . Many MSPs are looking to partner with operators that have a demonstrable track record in supporting their key customer demographics .
Further , with human error , network and power failures key causes of outages there is also a need to meet strict compliance and regulatory standards and to provide policies for zero downtime . For any service provider , it pays to have a data centre partner who can consistently meet strict SLAs .
Finally , speed of deployment and dynamic service is crucial . Any Managed Service or IT Service Provider will tell you that adding value , or having the ability to go the extra mile , can be the very difference between a customer renewing their service agreement or migrating to another provider . The trust that a data centre operator can act as an extension of your team , can understand
As the business landscape continues to change , so have the ways in which data centres are looking to support the MSP and ISP communities . Cost predictability is always a key factor , but so too are the pressing needs to consider technical competence , alongside environmental factors – especially as sustainability moves to the top of the business agenda .
In the wake of COVID-19 , MSPs are looking to their data centre providers as trusted advisors , and often , as an extension of their technical or sales teams . The right operator can help an MSP win business , answer complex technical questions and instil confidence in the end-user at every stage of the journey .
Further , transactional relationships have become a thing of the past and longterm collaboration has become a focal point of business discussions . As such , many MSPs are looking for providers that can support their growth across different geographical regions and can continue to do so in a low cost and environmentally sustainable way .
Finally , trust and transparency are vital , especially in a channel where tenders are often taken in-house and where partners can find out that they are competing on the same bids . In essence , by partnering with a data centre operator that focuses solely on colocation and without its own services division , MSPs can avoid many of the complications associated with challenging tender processes , while developing mutually beneficial relationships that are designed to support long-term growth .
Custodian is dedicated to setting a new standard in dynamic , multi-site colocation services . Its agile-mission-critical data centres have been designed to underpin MSP and IT service provider growth – combining expert technical insight with unparalleled customer service and a reputation for industry-leading uptime . ◊
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