What is colocation?
So, what is colocation? It’s a simple premise, but with a bit of benefits. You house your company’s server and other IT equipment with a third-party, rather than on premises that provide you with cost savings, security and reliability.
Sounds simple, doesn’t it? Well, it is, but there are some questions you need to ask yourself, but also the provider, when choosing the best solution for you and your business. What is it you need to deliver? Why is colocation the right solution?
Why colocation still matters
Colocation is still widely used and is still an effective offering that balances between the control of on-premises infrastructure and the scalability and reliability of cloud services and solutions. This makes it valuable for many reasons, but it’s also a solution that’s used by businesses both large and small. It provides many benefits, such as cost (one fixed fee), improved security and access to enhanced technology.
The business case for colocation
If you’re a mid-market organisation looking to expand your business, Colocation can be an ideal solution if you have limited IT resources, rising infrastructure costs and a need for more resilience in your infrastructure. Additionally, there are some key strategic advantages for why you should choose colocation: a focus on core business and access to enterprise-grade facilities.
Colo + Cloud: The collaboration your infrastructure needs
What to look for in a colocation partner
When looking at whether you should keep your server on premise, or use Colocation services, you need to ask yourself whether the provider offers:
- Location and Accessibility
- Network Connectivity
- Security & Compliance
- Scalability & Flexibility
- Support & Service Levels
- Reputation & Reliability
Common pitfalls to avoid and asking the right questions
One of the common things that we can all be guilty of sometimes is choosing purely on the cost of something, and that alone. There is sometimes a budget in place, and that’s totally understandable, but if something is too cheap, you may need to question why. Is it too good to be true? Beyond the cost of a service, you also need to consider the long-term scalability, and as your business expands, can your provider keep up and provide a more holistic approach to your needs and the needs of your business?
Finally, and this is a key factor, make sure you visit the facility and ask the right questions. We offer all our customers a tour of our facilities so they can see where their equipment is being stored and secured. You’re also able to access your equipment after implementation, as this is an important part of having your servers stored off-site – things break and go wrong, so you need peace of mind that you have the support there when you need it. And after all, it’s your equipment, so why shouldn’t you be able to access it?
Node4 Data Centres
Take a deep dive into our data centres.
Bonus questions to ask
1. What does a typical day look like for my colocated infrastructure?
Imagine your infrastructure arriving at a Node4 Tier 3+ data centre. From the moment it’s racked, it’s protected by 24/7 on-site security, monitored for temperature, humidity, and power draw, and supported by engineers who know your setup inside out. Remote hands requests are handled promptly, and proactive alerts mean issues are often resolved before you even know they exist.
2. How will colocation help my business stay agile and compliant?
Mid-market organisations often face a balancing act: they need flexibility to innovate but also control to meet compliance and cost targets. Colocation at Node4 supports hybrid strategies, helps meet data sovereignty requirements, and avoids the unpredictability of public cloud costs.
3. What kind of support will I get, especially when things go wrong?
Downtime isn’t an option. That’s why Node4 offers more than just a helpdesk. Our UK-based support teams are on-site 24/7, ready to respond to incidents, perform remote hands tasks, and keep your infrastructure optimised. You’re not just renting space, you’re gaining a partner who’s invested in your uptime.
4. Can I scale easily as my needs change?
Absolutely. Whether you’re adding racks, increasing power, or connecting to new cloud services, Node4’s colocation solutions are built to grow with you. Our flexible configurations and inter-site connectivity make it easy to adapt without disruption, so your infrastructure can evolve as fast as your business does.
5. Why Node4?
Because we understand what mid-market organisations need: performance, predictability, and partnership. With ISO-certified Tier 3+ data centres, a proven track record, and a customer-first ethos, Node4 delivers colocation that’s secure, scalable, and supported every step of the way.
Conclusion: Making an informed decision
So now you have the right information on what colocation is and why it’s right for your business, ensuring you have the right colocation partner is critical. To be able to choose that partner, you always need to assess your needs and ask the right questions. Finally, make sure you have access to your server, as not everyone provides this facility.
If you want to start your journey with colocation, or if you want to just ask us some questions as to why we’re the right provider for you, get in touch by filling in the form below.
Your next big hit: hybrid cloud
You’ve already laid the foundations with colocation or dabbled with some cloud migration – now it’s time to take your infrastructure to the next level. This guide explores how combining colocation with hybrid cloud can give you the best of both worlds: the control of on-prem with the agility and scalability of cloud. It’s a backstage look at how mid-market organisations are evolving their strategies to meet rising costs, compliance pressures and the need for smarter, more flexible IT.
What’s inside?
We won’t give away the whole show, but here’s a sneak peek:
- Why 70% of mid-market businesses are moving to the cloud – and why many are now rethinking that move for a hybrid approach
- How to avoid the common pitfalls of public cloud, like spiralling costs and compliance headaches
- Real-world examples of building a future-ready platform without missing a beat
Whether you’re modernising gradually or ready to go full hybrid, this guide will help you find your groove. Download it today and start building your own infrastructure supergroup.