Area Development Homepage >> Site Selection/Facility Planning >>

Choosing the Right Data Center for Disaster Recovery Planning

How to select the best data center for your business using nine key factors

Mark Noonan, Vice President of Sales, Data Foundry (Winter 2011)

(page 2 of 3)

Editors Picks

4. Network
Network availability and the number of carrier options are crucial factors as they relate to reliability and cost. Carrier-neutral facilities have multiple carrier options that allow for optimized traffic, high levels of network redundancy, and leverage in contract negotiations with a network provider. Competitive pricing is a benefit that a carrier-neutral data center can provide to its customers.

5. Security
There are many levels of security at a data center that can be implemented both inside and outside of the facility. A premium data center will incorporate multiple levels of security across both areas.

A facility with a strong outer layer of security can reduce the chance of vandalism or break-ins. The first line of defense is a barrier or fence, guarded access, and perimeter intrusion monitoring solutions. This solution, which may be integrated into the facility's access control and alarm monitoring system, can include video technology based on a virtual perimeter. Around-the-clock security at all entrances, including loading docks, provides increased protection from unauthorized access.

Internal security measures can include multiple layers of authentication to control access to the data center. Biometric options such as retina or palm scanners offer an elevated level of identification. Internal, closed-captioned video systems monitoring all entrances and key areas throughout the facility provide surveillance and archive footage of all activity. Data centers also implement features such as mantraps that consist of interlocking doors in which the first set of doors must close before the second set opens. Mantraps require measures such as pass codes, cards, or biometric scanners for further access.

Since the data center houses critical information and IT infrastructures, it is important to understand the full extent of the security measures taken at each level of the facility and campus.

6. Staff
A top-notch facility will have experienced and knowledgeable staff to help with any support issue that may arise. Yet half of all data centers in the U.S. are understaffed or under-skilled, according to studies such as the Symantec's 2010 State of the Data Center. Only consider a data center that has onsite support staff 24/7/365, not only during standard business hours. Data centers commonly offer "remote hands" service so customers can rely on the data center's personnel even when they are not physically there.

7. Corporate Ownership
The best facilities are owned and managed by a true data center operator, not a real estate company looking to flip the property. Verify that the data center owner is financially viable and has a long track record of operating all facets of the data center.

The data center owner's financial stability is very important. An unstable company may require frequent configuration changes or equipment moves to offset poor planning and organization. Each change, whether planned or unplanned, can be a major inconvenience and expose businesses to downtime. Find a provider that has built its business on the core competencies of a successful, financially strong data center.

8. Scalability
A highly scalable data center can support rapid growth of space, power, and bandwidth demands. The ideal data center will allow for fast, seamless growth, as well as the deployment of new services without requiring a major overhaul of infrastructure or disrupting customer operations.

Reconfiguring space or moving equipment can incur additional costs and increase room for error. When assessing a facility's scalability, consider your short- and long-term growth potential and review the provider's ability to accommodate these needs.

9. Creature Comforts
Since your employees are your company's most important asset, be mindful of the data center's creature comforts. In the event of a disaster, employees may be required to work long hours at the facility. Taking the time to evaluate what is available to your employees when choosing a data center will ensure that your staff is in a safe and accommodating environment.

<< Back Page1 2 3 Next >>

Save/Share Article

About the Author

Mark Noonan, Vice President of Sales, Data Foundry
With over 10 years of tenure at Data Foundry, Mark Noonan joined the company in 2000 as an Account Executive. He had prior experience in the enterprise data center world working in Dell’s enterprise sales group. During his time at Data Foundry, Noonan was promoted to Director of Sales and again to become the first Vice President of Sales for Data Foundry.

ASK AREA DEVELOPMENT

Have questions, comments or concerns about this article? Submit to Ask Area Development here and the author or an expert from our network of site selection and facility planning professionals will answer:

Privacy policy / GuidelinesArea Development will select a number of questions to answer each week. An Area Development representative will contact the submitting reader directly with feedback. Additionally, all submissions are eligible to appear online or in our print publication. If your question is selected for publication we will include and publish your first name, job title and industry only. The full identity of the submitting reader will not appear in published format.Area Development will not publish, share with any third parties, or use for marketing purposes any personal information submitted here without the express consent of the submitting reader.

News Items

Around The Web

Studies/Research

News Items

Around The Web

Studies/Research

Blue Diamond Opens Turlock, California, Almond Products Manufacturing Plant

State Resource map

Click on any state for links to current state news and data, contact directory, corporate taxes, financial and business incentives, credits, grants and available buildings and sites

State Resource Sponsor