By Darren Bonawitz
Many collocation facilities that I have visited with or toured require most customers pay for packaged collocation offerings including redundant power drops regardless of their needs or the purpose of collocating the equipment. That has never made sense to me. An alternative to this, as we do, can to separate and individualize our plans and options, sort of  ala carte style, so customers can feel they can tailor to their own needs and sizes with advice and recommendations, not limitations.

The same is true with regard to the space itself.  Maybe they only need a half rack today but realistically feel they are going to grow to a full cabinet in 6 – 12 months down the road. At most facilities, there are generally only two options. The first option is that they take a half cabinet and then face the painful task of moving their equipment again in a matter of months. Or they may have to lease and pay for a full cabinet for several months to allow for adequate growth.

However, there is a different philosophy available by trying to tailor individual solutions. Working out to, say,  a three year growth plan for a company by creating a schedule that benefits the current needs and future for that company. We don’t want to force a company with a square peg into a round hole. The benefit of course is they know they have what they truly need whether they in fact require redundant power or not. We have found this to be far more advantageous in the long run both for company and us. No one customer is like another so collocation should not be a “one size fits all” business.

There are many options to evaluate and meet your collocation needs and goals with. Step back and see what the provider is really offering you, and don’t think you have to be limited by your unique situation or plan. Is it a packaged “solution” where they are merely your network/data landlord, or are they approaching it as a partner or logical extension of your business with long-term success and a relationship as the ultimate goal?