High-density power and cooling capabilities
Modern AI and high-performance computing (HPC) workloads demand significantly more power per rack than traditional IT infrastructure. Facilities designed for 5kW-10kW per rack are insufficient for the 50kW-70kW racks now common with advanced GPUs. Providers with liquid cooling and adaptive infrastructure are essential for future-proofing your investment and avoiding physical limitations.
Assess each provider's stated power density per rack and their cooling technologies, such as liquid cooling or advanced air-flow management. Verify their ability to scale power and cooling as your needs evolve, particularly for AI or other high-intensity applications. Inquire about their roadmap for supporting next-generation hardware and their current capacity for high-density deployments.
Interconnection and network ecosystem
Colocation is increasingly viewed as an interconnection ecosystem, not just a data center. Proximity to major cloud on-ramps, internet exchanges, and a diverse set of network providers can drastically reduce latency and cut data transfer costs. A robust interconnection strategy is critical for hybrid cloud environments and optimizing application performance.
Examine the number of carriers and cloud providers available within each data center. Look for direct connections to major cloud platforms (e.g., AWS Direct Connect, Azure ExpressRoute) and access to internet exchange points. Verify their network architecture for redundancy and resilience, and inquire about their ability to support software-defined networking (SDN) for flexible connectivity management.
Sustainability and energy efficiency
With power availability becoming a significant bottleneck and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) mandates growing, a provider's commitment to sustainability is crucial. Energy-efficient operations and the use of renewable energy sources can reduce operational costs, enhance corporate reputation, and ensure long-term viability in power-constrained markets.
Investigate the provider's power usage effectiveness (PUE) ratings and their use of renewable energy. Ask about their sustainability initiatives, such as waste heat reuse, water conservation, and green building certifications. Verify their transparency in ESG reporting and their long-term strategy for reducing carbon footprint, especially if sustainability is a key corporate objective.
Security and compliance framework
Housing critical infrastructure off-premises requires stringent security measures and adherence to regulatory compliance. Data breaches and non-compliance can lead to severe financial penalties, reputational damage, and legal exposure. A provider's security posture and certifications are paramount for protecting sensitive data and maintaining business continuity.
Review the provider's physical security measures, including access controls, surveillance, and on-site personnel. Verify their compliance certifications (e.g., SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, PCI DSS) and their audit processes. Inquire about their data privacy policies, incident response procedures, and how they ensure data segregation and protection within a multi-tenant environment.
Support and service level agreements (SLAs)
The cost of downtime for large enterprises can exceed $23,750 per minute, making reliable support and guaranteed uptime non-negotiable. Comprehensive SLAs and responsive technical support are essential for minimizing disruptions, resolving issues quickly, and ensuring continuous operation of critical workloads.
Evaluate the provider's support offerings, including 24/7/365 availability, remote hands services, and dedicated account management. Scrutinize their SLAs for uptime guarantees, response times, and resolution metrics. Verify their track record for meeting these SLAs and inquire about their escalation procedures and customer satisfaction ratings.
