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By Alberto Jessurun / February 10, 2021 / Blog

Why Your Hybrid Cloud Strategy Needs Colocation

Colocation reduces cost without compromising security or the ability to scale, making one key to effectively leveraging hybrid cloud storage.

2021 is upon us, and the push to move to the cloud has never been stronger. Businesses of all sizes and industries have long sung the praises of the cloud as an effective way to securely store and access data without losing transparency.

There have long been proponents of private cloud, public cloud, and hybrid cloud options, but colocation was not always part of the conversation. However, colocation is increasingly seen as a valuable option for amplifying the benefits of hybrid cloud data storage.

What is hybrid colocation? In short, it allows an enterprise to use the cloud while also taking advantage of physical space in a third-party data center. Businesses purchase servers and equipment that are housed in a data center — a valuable component for those who want control over hardware options. The physical space is managed by the provider of the colocation service and eliminates the need for the enterprise to pay for and maintain this overhead.

In this article, we will take a more in-depth look at the cloud options and how colocation fits into your strategy, including:
  • Knowing your cloud options
  • Where colocation comes in
  • Benefits of colocation
  • The bottom line
  • How Unisol can help

Knowing your cloud options

Before delving into colocation’s uses and advantages, it is essential to understand how it fits into the available cloud options. Colocation works in tandem with hybrid cloud storage, but it is certainly not the only cloud option. Every business should determine its cloud storage strategy based on current needs, goals for the future, budget, and resources available. 

Cloud storage options are typically classified into two main categories, though there is an increasing number of subcategories. These two main categories are public cloud and private cloud. 

Public cloud storage 

Public cloud is exactly what the name implies: It uses a network that is open to the public. The infrastructure is housed off-site and usually on-demand. IT services and other resources are provided and managed off-site. This data storage space is shared with other customers. 

There is a lot to love about public cloud storage. The cost of overhead is low and the ability to scale is high. A business pays for what it needs and can expand and reduce as needed, plus IT expertise is generally available on-site as a service. 

However, some critics of public cloud storage point out its drawbacks: Users share space with other customers, which can result in competition for resources. 

Private cloud storage

Private cloud, on the other hand, eliminates competition for resources, or at least external resources. While this storage solution still uses off-site storage space, it is more exclusive. The security provided is excellent, but the overall solution may be more expensive. Whether or not private cloud storage is more secure than public storage has been a recent subject of conversation.

Hybrid cloud storage

Hybrid cloud is a best-of-both-worlds solution, which is why it is seen by many businesses as an ideal strategy. Hybrid cloud storage uses both public and private clouds, where private can be managed on-site and in-house by the IT team and the public cloud is provided by a third-party vendor such as Azure or Amazon Web Services. The vendor handles operational expenses and obligations, allowing the customer to save money, allocate sensitive data appropriately, keep up with work workload surges, and, perhaps most importantly, scale. 

Where colocation comes in

Colocation supports a hybrid cloud strategy by furthering that best-of-both-worlds ethos that makes it so attractive. Colocation allows a business to use the cloud and benefit from physical data centers, providing security via data storage centers and scalability through the cloud. 

Benefits of colocation

Hybrid colocation allows an enterprise to maintain ownership of servers and data without dealing with the time and budgetary constraints that come with maintaining infrastructure. There is no need to worry about building maintenance at a physical location, such as heating, cooling, contracts, and other overhead. 

The bottom line

To put it simply, colocation as part of a hybrid cloud storage solution offers the ease and security of a physical space without sacrificing the benefits of the cloud. Colocation in conjunction with hybrid cloud allows an enterprise more control over server hardware and physical space with all of the appeal of the cloud. 

How Unisol can help

Unisol specializes in technological solutions that support whatever cloud storage strategy works for your business. We offer a robust online catalog, turnkey project deployment, and worldwide shipping. To find out more or to request a quote contact Unisol International. 

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