Data center migrations typically involve significant work. It is therefore important to be sure that you are migrating to the right data center for your situation. With that in mind, here is a straightforward guide on how to choose the right Denver data center for your business.
These are the top 10 factors to consider when choosing a data center in any location.
Location: Choose a data center in a geographically stable area, away from natural disaster zones. Proximity to your business can also impact latency and ease of physical access.
Security: Ensure the facility has robust physical security (biometric access, surveillance, guards) and cybersecurity measures (firewalls, encryption, intrusion detection).
Compliance and certifications: Verify adherence to industry standards such as ISO 27001, SOC 2, HIPAA, or PCI-DSS, depending on your regulatory requirements.
Uptime: Look for data centers with a high Uptime Institute Tier Rating (Tier III or IV) and Service Level Agreements (SLAs) guaranteeing at least 99.99% uptime.
Scalability: The data center should support your business growth with flexible options for increasing storage, power, and network capacity.
Network connectivity: Ensure the facility offers multiple redundant network carriers for high-speed, low-latency connections and better reliability.
Power and cooling redundancy: Check for N+1 or 2N redundancy in power and cooling infrastructure to prevent outages due to failures.
Disaster recovery and backup: A reliable data center should have offsite backup capabilities and Disaster Recovery as a Service (DRaaS) for business continuity.
Support and monitoring: 24/7 support and real-time monitoring ensure quick issue resolution and proactive management.
Contract terms: Compare pricing models, hidden fees, contract flexibility, and total cost of ownership before committing.
Most of the points to look for in a Denver data center are the same as for data centers in general. There are, however, some specificities businesses should consider. Here are the 10 main ones.
Appropriate location: Overall, Denver has a mild and stable climate. This means there is minimal risk of environmental disasters. There is also a low risk of civil unrest. Urban congestion can, however, pose a problem in some areas. This may be a consideration for businesses that need regular and/or potentially urgent access to their data centers.
Security and compliance: Most of the security and compliance considerations for data centers in Denver are the same as for data centers in general. Additionally, however, Denver data centers are likely to need to comply with the Colorado Privacy Act.
Disaster preparedness: Even though Denver has a mild and stable climate overall, there is still a small risk of extreme weather including tornadoes. There are also occasional wildfires. Denver data centers therefore benefit from reinforced infrastructure.
Altitude and cooling efficiency: Denver’s high altitude (5,280 feet) leads to lower air density, which can affect cooling efficiency and power systems. Look for data centers with optimized high-altitude HVAC and cooling redundancy (N+1 or 2N configurations) to compensate for these conditions.
Power reliability and energy costs: Denver’s power grid is stable, but energy costs can fluctuate due to changing local regulations. Choose a data center with access to multiple power substations and renewable energy sources (such as wind and solar) to ensure cost efficiency and sustainability.
Network connectivity and fiber routes: Denver is a major interconnection hub, with access to multiple fiber optic routes running through the Denver Tech Center and downtown business district. Ensure the facility is carrier-neutral with diverse fiber paths and low-latency connectivity to Tier 1 ISPs and cloud providers.
Sustainability and green energy: Denver has a strong focus on sustainability. Look for data centers utilizing solar arrays, wind power, and water-efficient cooling systems, aligning with Colorado’s renewable energy goals.
Here are five key factors behind DataBank’s competitive edge in Denver.
Strategic locations: Operating five data centers across the Denver metropolitan area, including the prominent DEN3 facility at 1500 Champa Street, DataBank ensures comprehensive coverage and accessibility for businesses.
Robust infrastructure: DataBank’s facilities feature high-performance computing capabilities, with a significant total capacity to support demanding workloads. This scalability ensures that clients can easily expand their IT infrastructure as their business grows, offering a mix of colocation, cloud, and managed services.
Enhanced connectivity: DataBank’s data centers are strategically located near major fiber pathways and interconnection points, providing clients with access to multiple ISPs and carriers. These diverse connectivity options facilitate seamless data transfer and redundancy, ensuring reliable service for mission-critical applications.
Comprehensive compliance: DataBank’s Denver data centers adhere to stringent industry standards, maintaining certifications such as HIPAA, HITECH, ISO 27001, PCI DSS, Privacy Shield, SOC 1, SOC 2, and SSAE 18. This commitment ensures that clients’ data is managed within compliant and secure environments.
Local economic integration: By situating facilities in proximity to the Denver Tech Center and collaborating with local research institutions, DataBank leverages the region’s educated workforce and technological ecosystem, offering clients access to a vibrant and innovative community.
The factors affecting the cost of colocation in Denver are much the same as the factors affecting the cost of colocation in other cities. Here is a quick overview of them, along with Denver-specific considerations.
Your choice of Denver data center needs to align with your broader goals and objectives of the organization. The clearer you can be about your needs and wants, the easier it will be for you to judge if a data center is a good fit for them.
Gain an understanding of how to assess the security of Denver data centers. Learn why effective data center security is crucial to your organization’s safety and success. Find out what five, core security features should be present in Denver data centers. Look at how DataBank protects your data from a diverse range of threats.
Discover the DataBank Difference today:
Hybrid infrastructure solutions with boundless edge reach and a human touch.
