Colocation Data Centres offer scalability, reliability and cost-efficiency, but many organisations fail to realise their full value due to avoidable missteps. These mistakes often stem from rushed decisions, poor planning and a lack of alignment between IT and business objectives. Here are the top five errors we’ve seen, and how BARM helps our clients avoid them.
Underestimating Power and Cooling Requirements
We have seen many companies focus solely on rack space in their colocation racks, overlooking the power density and cooling capacity needed to support their equipment. This leads to thermal hotspots, equipment throttling and unexpected downtime. We conduct detailed power and thermal modelling before deployment to ensure infrastructure can support current and future loads.
Ignoring Scalability and Growth Planning
Some organisations choose colocation facilities based on immediate needs, without considering future expansion. This results in costly relocations or inefficient retrofits. Our team builds scalable designs with modular components and phased growth strategies, allowing clients to expand without disruption.
Poor Network Architecture and Connectivity Planning
Failing to plan for diverse carrier access, latency requirements and redundancy can cripple performance. We work with clients to design robust network topologies, including redundant paths, carrier-neutral access and low-latency interconnects that support business continuity.
Inadequate Compliance and Security Considerations
Assuming the colocation provider handles all compliance and security needs is a risky oversight. We help clients assess regulatory requirements, implement physical and logical security controls and ensure audit readiness from day one.
Lack of Integration with Existing IT Operations
Colocation should be an extension of your IT ecosystem, not a silo. Many companies fail to integrate monitoring, alerting and management tools across environments. We ensure seamless integration with existing systems, enabling unified visibility and control across on-premises and colocated assets.
Eliminating these common mistakes early, you will be able to deliver more value from your colocation investments. At BARM, we combine technical expertise with strategic planning to help enterprise clients avoid costly missteps and build resilient, scalable infrastructure.
This has been a thought leadership piece on BARM’s advisory support services to provide advise and support to clients who are struggling with managing their colocation space.
If you are running your own Data Centre or utilise the services of a Data Centre Service Provider and want to better manage your environment and/or save costs then reach out to us to share your concerns and let us show you how we save you money. Contact BARM.