Aspire Gaming finally had a hit on its hands. After years of development, their new puzzle game was at the top of the charts among mobile applications. Thousands, then millions, of downloads were happening all around the world. The team knew that their server infrastructure was on the cusp of failing.

There was so much activity taking place that the updates and rollouts that had been planned for weeks would suddenly have to wait. The lead developer told the rest of the team, “I’m afraid if we do even the slightest little thing, the entire backbone will fall apart…we really are hanging on by a thread here.” The team needed new hardware to support the growth, and they needed it right away.

A server rack in a tower

Scaling a server bank can be expensive, but colocation gives you affordable options.
Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

After examining a wide range of options, the CTO and IT Director agreed that the best option would be to use their own hardware. The infrastructure would be more secure if they managed the entire physical component, anyway. The entire team worked overtime sketching out the server environment, from domain controllers to NAS, and all points in between. After quotes were assembled and pored over, the problem became evident: the servers and storage they could afford today wouldn’t be enough if the growth continued. But the hardware they really needed was far too expensive to purchase outright.

If your company has found itself in a similar dilemma, you’re not alone. However, many companies are failing to recognize that the hardware can easily be made available to them if they turn to a colocation facility. And the best part is, they can continue to help you as you continue to scale.

One of the overlooked benefits of dedicated colocation services and service providers is that colo facilities often have access to the hardware you want at a price you can afford. In many cases, colocation facilities have already invested in server and storage appliances to support existing clients. With a little planning, many facilities can put together a solution for your organization that gives you partial or full access to much more powerful hardware than you could afford on your own.

In most cases, the colocation facility will require your organization to commit to a term-engagement or contract as a means of recouping or protecting their hardware investment. Furthermore, you will not be able to remove the hardware from the colo facility as you would if you owned the hardware outright.  But this is a fair trade-off if your interest is in scaling to more powerful hardware without a major capital outlay. In that case, working with a colocation facility on a rental or lease agreement is an excellent way to gain access to the hardware you require without breaking the bank.

The colo facility is interested in driving service revenue rooted in your use of their space and resources. If providing more powerful hardware with the cost broken up over time acts as an incentive to bring you in to their facility, all the better. Scaling your server infrastructure doesn’t have to be financially crippling if you have a clear view of what you are trying to accomplish. Be up front and honest with the colocation providers about your needs now and in the future. Also, give consideration to whether or not you are willing to share hardware with other clients. Quite often, the cost of sharing a large storage array (for example) is drastically lower than leasing a smaller array all on your own.

Your organization’s growth prospects are highly dependent on customers and financial wherewithal, but don’t overlook the role partners and vendors can play in helping you reach your goals, both now and in the future. Colocation facilities can usually provide the IT infrastructure that you need to grow your business via an arrangement that benefits you both. When looking for a colocation partner, be sure to inquire as to what hardware they might provide in the future, even if your current needs are met. You never know when rapid growth or a new requirement will call for new hardware that you either haven’t planned for or cannot yet afford. Colocation partners can help bridge the gap without any business interruption.

If you’re ready to learn more about the dedicated colocation services offered by Mosaic NetworX, click here!