6 important factors to consider when selecting a data centre and cloud provider

Choosing a Data Centre and Cloud Provider: What to Consider

In today's digital age, businesses rely heavily on data and the ability to access it at any time. Data centre and cloud providers play a crucial role in ensuring that businesses can store and access their data efficiently and securely. With so many options available, choosing the right provider can be overwhelming.

Here are 6 important factors to consider when selecting a data centre and cloud provider:

Location

The physical location of a data centre is an important factor to consider, especially if you need to comply with data sovereignty laws. In Canada, data is required to be stored within our borders. A data centre's location can also affect the latency of your data, so it's essential you choose a provider who has data centres close to your users or customers.

Security

Data security is a top priority for any business. Look for a provider that has robust security measures in place, such as multi-factor authentication, encryption, firewalls, and intrusion detection systems. Additionally, it’s a bonus if the provider offers 24/7 monitoring and surveillance to detect and prevent security breaches.

Reliability

Downtime can result in lost revenue, decreased productivity, and damage to your reputation. So, uptime is critical when it comes to choosing a data centre and cloud provider. Look for a provider that has a proven track record of reliability and offers a Service Level Agreement (SLA) that guarantees a certain level of uptime.

Scalability

As your business grows, your data needs will also grow. Choose a provider that can scale with your business and accommodate your changing requirements. The ideal provider would offer flexible pricing and allow you to add or remove resources as needed.

Support

It's essential to have access to reliable support when you need it. Look for a provider that offers 24/7 support, with knowledgeable and responsive staff. The provider should also have a robust self-help / knowledge base to help you troubleshoot any issues.

Cost

While cost should not be the only factor you consider, it's still an important one. Look for a provider that offers transparent pricing with no hidden fees. Compare the costs of different providers, but also consider the value they offer in terms of security, reliability, scalability, and support.

Conclusion

In conclusion, choosing the right data centre and cloud provider can be a daunting task, but it's crucial to ensure the security, reliability, and scalability of your data. You should also consider Data Residency – this speaks to where the data must be stored physically. Either you or your customers may have specific policies regarding where the data may be stored. Similarly, you should also consider Data Sovereignty – which affects which jurisdiction will govern access to data. When choosing a cloud provider, consider the factors outlined above and pay attention to the jurisdiction, as this has the highest implication for you. Finally, take the time to research and compare different providers before making a decision.

Learn more about Data Centre and Cloud services from Rogers Business; and see why IDC positioned us as leaders in the category – Contact us today to see how we can help you!

^{_{IDC MarketScape: Canadian Datacenter Colocation and Interconnection Services 2022 Vendor Assessment, November 2022, IDC #CA49811122}}