What to Look for in a Colocation Partner: A Practical Guide for Growing Organisations
As organisations generate and store increasing volumes of data, many are moving away from on‑premise servers and turning to colocation for improved resilience, performance and cost efficiency. With a growing number of providers on the market, choosing the right partner can make a real difference to the stability and scalability of your IT strategy.
Below are the key areas to consider when assessing any colocation provider.
1. Location: More Than Just a Pin on the Map
Where your data centre is based directly affects both performance and continuity. A facility close to your users reduces latency, helping real‑time applications run smoothly. At the same time, the location must be low‑risk, away from flood zones, unstable ground or environmental threats that could impact uptime. A well‑located data centre gives you reliable access, better performance and stronger long‑term resilience.
2. Connectivity: The Backbone of Modern IT
Colocation isn’t only about where your servers sit, it’s about how well they connect. Look for a carrier‑neutral facility that provides diverse fibre routes, strong bandwidth options and low‑latency links. This is especially important for cloud‑heavy or hybrid environments where consistent, high‑speed connectivity keeps everything running smoothly.
3. Scalability: Capacity That Supports Growth
Your colocation provider should grow with you. Flexible rack options, scalable power and the ability to expand without disruption ensure your infrastructure can adapt to future needs without costly or complicated migrations.
4. Security: Protecting Critical Infrastructure
Security should be multi‑layered and always on. Look for 24/7 manned security, biometric access, CCTV, certified processes and robust fire detection. Together, these measures protect your infrastructure from both physical and environmental risks.
5. Support & Expertise: People Matter
Expert, responsive support makes all the difference. Providers offering skilled engineers, remote hands services and fast issue resolution ensure your environment stays productive and well‑maintained.
Why Many Organisations Choose Sota for Colocation
Sota’s purpose‑built UK data centres combine all the qualities outlined above, with strategic advantages that many organisations prioritise:
Close to London, Without the London Compromise.
Our facilities are close to London, delivering excellent connectivity into the capital, but purposely located outside the high‑risk, high‑cost metropolitan zone. This provides improved resilience, easier access and greater operational stability.
A Lower‑Risk, Better‑Positioned Site
Being just outside London reduces exposure to environmental risks and avoids central‑city congestion, making site visits simpler and more predictable.
Meaningful Cost Savings Compared with London Providers
Because we operate outside the capital’s costly colocation market, customers benefit from more competitive pricing for racks, power and ongoing expansion, without sacrificing performance or connectivity.
By choosing a partner that delivers performance, resilience and long‑term value, your organisation can build an infrastructure strategy that’s ready for whatever comes next. To explore how Sota can support your plans, get in touch with our team.