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Data center usage is stronger than it has ever been. McKinsey, the global management consulting firm, reports that demand, which is measured by power consumption that reflects the number of servers a data center can host, is expected to hit 35GW by 2030 in the United States – more than double the 17GW reached in 2022[1]. The reason for this increase is data centers provide the security, choice and agility required for a business to stay ahead of their digital transformation needs. To do so, however, data centers need to offer far more than simply colocation.
To commemorate International Data Center Day, below is a list of 10 data center must-haves to grow your business.
1. Qualified Personnel
Data centers have made tremendous technological advances over the years – but they are still operated, maintained and secured by people.
Cologix prides itself on employing experienced, certified staff inside our data centers to best meet your needs and provide you with trusted resources. They have been trained in Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) and mechanical systems, and our onsite professionals have their Data Center Certified Associate (DCCA) and Certified Data Centre Professional (CDCP) certifications.
2. Robust Connectivity
The most effective data centers feature a rich interconnection ecosystem that customers need to scale their business at the digital edge.
The Cologix platform gives our customers access to 40+ digital edge and ScalelogixSM hyperscale edge data centers in 11 North American markets as well as a dense ecosystem of 700+ networks, 360+ cloud service providers, 30+ public cloud onramps and six internet exchanges. And Cologix provides a variety of ways for customers to connect to each other in order to accelerate their growth, including Cologix Access Marketplace, a Software-Defined Interconnection (SDI) cloud and network exchange with which customers can establish direct connections to top cloud providers and carriers in seconds.
3. Choice
Today’s customers want more from colocation data centers than kilowatts and environments to host their equipment – they want the ability and choice to connect with a multitude of carriers and cloud service providers.
Cologix’s carrier- and cloud-neutral data centers host 700+ networks in carrier hotels and Meet-Me-Rooms across North America with direct access to 360+ cloud service providers. Customers can choose physical connections or connect virtually through Cologix Access Marketplace, our Software-Defined Interconnection (SDI) cloud and network exchange.
4. Scalability
Your business needs a data center that can support your growth.
Cologix’s focus on carrier hotels across our markets gives customers the flexibility required to scale network providers and capacity as well as ramp up performance and consistency. Through our combination of carriers, cloud onramps and cloud service providers, Cologix offers customers a robust interconnection ecosystem where they can accelerate their business at the edge.
5. Environmental Responsibility
It is important that a data center is run efficiently when it comes to power and water usage, and that companies make the environment a priority during the design, build and operation of their data centers.
We have a responsibility to help protect our natural resources at Cologix, and it is something we take very seriously. Cologix began our formal Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) journey in 2021 and has committed to achieving 100% carbon neutrality in Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions and to using 100% renewable energy in our data centers by 2030.
6. Physical Security
When migrating into a data center, customers need to make sure they’re putting their essential infrastructure into facilities protected by the best security available.
Our data centers utilize 24/7 video surveillance on closed-circuit television, require badge and/or biometric access at our entrances and are equipped with security-controlled access vestibules to ensure only authorized personnel can enter secure areas. Cologix also offers 24/7 onsite security, dual-interlocking doors and a host of other customizable security options.
7. Compliance
A data center that complies with industry guidelines means it is operating at the highest standards and meeting regulatory requirements.
Cologix is ISO 27001 certified by Schellman for our information security management system (ISMS) for all data centers. This guarantees that our products and services meet the highest possible security management standards.
Cologix also has third-party assessments for SOC 1, SOC 2, HIPAA and PCI-DSS at all of our facilities. These certifications are one of the many reasons why Cologix serves nearly 2,000 customers across many industries.
8. BCDR Solutions
No matter how well you prepare, emergencies such as hurricanes, floods or power outages can render your offices inoperable.
At Cologix, we provide business continuity and data recovery solutions (BCDR) at our locations in SV1, JAX2, LAK1, NNJ4 and COL2. These data centers are built to withstand the elements, exist outside floodplains and are located near international airports and major interstates, making them easily accessible before, during or after severe weather events.
BCDR solutions from Cologix include the workstations, suites and office space your data center team needs to keep your company’s IT infrastructure running, along with a host of amenities such as conference rooms, kitchens and showers.
9. Reliability
A business requires a data center they can rely on – even when working conditions aren’t perfect.
Our data centers offer a 99.999% uptime and have backups in place, including generators and redundancy on our critical infrastructure, as well as access to our Network Operations Center to assist with any disruptions.
10. Dedicated Customer Experience Support Team
When choosing a data center operator, a customer needs to be sure their ongoing technological needs are being met and they’re provided with the products and services they require as they grow.
Cologix’s Customer Experience team is comprised of Customer Experience Managers who proactively engage with our clients to ensure their experience is meeting or surpassing their expectations. This team takes the time to get an in-depth understanding of each of our clients, and then works with each client to ensure they receive the necessary services, solutions and attention to meet their IT demands and grow their business.
Cologix interconnection data centers, in 11 edge markets across North America, provide you with the security, choice, scalability and service required to accelerate your business in today’s digital-first world. Each of our data centers are operated by a team of professionals with an unsurpassed level of passion and experience. They’re driven by the desire to help businesses accelerate growth at the digital edge.
Download our e-book or contact us to learn more about why Cologix data centers are essential to the success of your business.
[1] McKinsey & Company. Investing in the Right Data Center Company. Jan. 17, 2023
