Data Storage: Which Solution is Best for Your Business?

With the amount of data that your business is constantly generating, you may reach a point when you don’t have the space to keep your server on-site. Don’t risk jeopardizing one of the most essential assets of your operations. Choose a data storage plan that meets your growing needs.

You have several options to consider, including moving data storage to the cloud, building your own offsite data center or using a colocation data center. Here are some of the pros and cons for each of those storage options.

1. Moving to the cloud

Some businesses find that cloud data storage is a perfect, scalable solution. But concerns about data security have caused some business leaders to hold off on moving all data to the cloud. In addition, it’s not always easy to migrate legacy systems to the cloud.

If you are researching cloud storage providers, ask each provider how it will ensure the safety of your data. And ask how you would move your data, if you decide to switch providers in the future.

2. Building it yourself

Owning your own offsite data center gives you complete control over your data management. But it can be cost prohibitive for many companies. You will need to pay for building permits, IT equipment, construction crews, materials, fiber optics – and you’ll need to install and operate fire suppression and climate-control systems.

You may be able to offset some of your expenses by offering collocation services –leasing space to other businesses. But you should look into how much competition exists. If there are other data centers nearby with available space, you may have trouble finding tenants.

3. Leasing a space

Colocation data centers usually offer a variety of options for their tenants. Some data centers rent office space in addition to server space, and can manage your server functions. But you can also choose to have your own IT staff manage your data systems.

Moving all of your corporate data is a big decision. Consider cost, security, autonomy and practicality, as you look for a solution to your growing data storage needs. And if you want to see how a colocation center operates, give us a call at Lifeline Data Center. We’ll be happy to schedule you for a schedule a tour of our building.

Other resources:

• All You Need to Know About Tier Classification, read more
• Standards for the Telecommunication Industry: TIA-942 vs. the Uptime Institute Tiers, read more
• Why Data Centers are Necessary for Enterprise Businesses, read more

Rich Banta

Managing Member at Lifeline Data Centers

Rich is responsible for Compliance and Certifications, Data Center Operations, Information Technology, and Client Concierge Services. Rich has an extensive background in server and network management, large scale wide-area networks, storage, business continuity, and monitoring. Rich is a former CTO of a major health care system. Rich is hands-on every day in the data centers. He also holds many certifications, including: CISA – Certified Information Systems Auditor CRISC – Certified in Risk & Information Systems Management CDCE – Certified Data Center Expert CDCDP – Certified Data Center Design Professional