Colocation facilities have rapidly become a strong alternative to large, on-site data centers. In fact, recent projections indicate that the global colocation market will increase by more than 14% annually through 2030.
Colocation centers offer a host of benefits for companies. Users that migrate their IT infrastructure to a colocation facility can help reduce their operating costs and generate greater ROI by essentially renting IT server racks and computing space. Plus, colocation facilities can also reduce the potential for computing and data processing downtime by tapping into an existing state-of-the-art infrastructure to power and cool their applications.
But colocation centers still face a number of challenges in seizing a larger share of the IT computing market, particularly when it comes to scaling their operations based on demand. The good news is there are solutions to help colocation facilities overcome these hurdles, and, here, we’ll look at three challenges for colocation centers in scaling their operations, and how Rittal colocation solutions can help.
Colocations can face long deployment cycles
Part of the appeal of colocation facilities as opposed to on-site data centers for users is the possibility of a customized IT infrastructure with the right amount of server racks and computing space. But for colocation facilities, offering such IT solutions often means increased lead times and prolonged deployment cycles, both of which can significantly hamper a colocation’s ability to scale quickly and efficiently.
Rittal’s modular approach to colocation solutions helps reduce deployment cycles by simplifying the installation and configuration process. Using an innovative, simplified design, our IT enclosures, cooling units, and accessories can be modified at the site with no specialized tooling.
For example, the Rittal TS IT Colo enclosure offers more internal volume to help support the highest cable density without any internal obstructions. Not only does this make high-density wiring and cable configurations quick and easy, it also reduces the time and resources required to customize IT infrastructure for a wide variety of industry applications, from material handling to energy & power.
Plus, the TS IT Colo enclosure features a perforated front door, split perforated door, a twin brush cable entry roof, and pre-installed front vertical air baffles that help keep cool air intake separate from hot exhaust air.
Colocations lack the ability to accommodate standardized solutions
Colocation centers can struggle with the ability to accommodate standardized solutions that can also be modified to match the requirements of specific IT footprints. However, the important part is specifying standardized IT solutions that are designed with flexibility in mind and can be pre-configured to meet 95% of colocation requirements.
Standardized modular IT enclosures can also help colocations support a wider range of cable and component densities inside the enclosure to help manufacturers leverage more efficient, powerful computing.
Rittal’s TS IT Colo enclosure utilizes a comprehensive, standardized design that features full depth adjustable front and rear EIA rails, a full-size slide-in removable partition, and a standard hardware kit that allows the enclosure to be bayed in just a matter of minutes.
This standardized, modular approach to IT enclosures also allows for greater flexibility within the cabinet to support the highest cable and component installation densities, and the lack of internal obstructions maximizes the customization of internal rack or wire configurations.
Plus, the Rittal TS IT Colo enclosure is also a readily available IT enclosure solution manufactured in the U.S. to help colocations maximize their delivery and installation capacity, and offer customers the scalability required to unlock more productive IT computing.
Harsh or demanding installations can hamper colocation productivity
As the colocation market continues to grow, colocation facilities will be tasked with optimizing their infrastructure footprint while controlling their operating costs and maximizing revenue. This will include moving server racks into more harsh, uncontrolled environments, such as an unfinished floor or area of a colocation facility.
Historically, establishing an IT infrastructure in more demanding environments has been problematic for colocation centers given the lack of durability and protection that often comes with IT enclosures.
Rittal’s CS Toptec outdoor enclosure can change the game for colocation centers by offering a reliable IT solution that can support high-performance computing in a range of environmental conditions, including heat, cold, and moisture, as well as in harsh environments that contain airborne contaminants.
The CS Toptec outdoor enclosure uses a double-wall design to increase passive heat dissipation and reduce the impact of exposure to harsh UV light. UV-resistant paint finishes and aluminum construction options provide exceptional resistance to UV light damage to help maximize the performance and lifespan of the enclosure.
Partnering with Rittal can help colocations overcome these challenges — and a host of others — in service of creating flexible, versatile, and powerful IT computing centers. Take the first step toward optimizing your IT computing infrastructure and learn more about our colocation solutions.