CV_Spring_2021

A s today’s organi- zations become increasingly shaped by and reliant on technology, IT leaders are turning to managed service providers (MSPs) to remain competitive. For MSPs, colocation provides the physical infrastructure and enhanced connectivity they need to serve their clients. Both MSPs and their clients benefit from reduced operational costs, as well as the reliability, redundancy and security features of an advanced data center – without having to build one from the ground up. Depending on the capabilities of a colocation provid- er, partnership also can create an opportunity for MSPs to cross-sell additional services to their clients. Likewise, MSPs who opt to partner with a colocation company that does not offer managed services of their own often find themselves on the receiving end of business referrals. Savvy colocation providers recognize the growth of their MSP partners drives growth for them, as well. Most importantly, partnering allows both the MSP and the colocation provider to focus on their area of expertise: advising clients on IT solutions and building and maintain- ing multi-tenant data center facilities, respectively. Partner for Growth One notable benefit of partnering with a colocation services provider is the chance to increase the MSP’s bottom line. In fact, long-term, non-competitive partnerships can lead to new business for both partners. Many times, IT leaders recognize their need for a data center solution and reach out to colocation provid- ers directly, making them ideal partners for promoting the complementary services of a trusted MSP, either at the onset of an engagement or as their needs evolve. And the reverse is true: once an MSP has built a relationship with a non-competitive company focused on colocation, they can confidently introduce them to clients, both as an infrastructure provider as well as an access point to a digital ecosystem – a de facto market- place – for reliable IT solutions. Some colocation providers also offer value-added services, such as remote hands and tools for data center infrastructure management (DCIM), which MSPs can use to outsource routine tasks, monitor and control deployments from afar, or even monetize to generate additional revenue. Partner for the Cloud MSPs are often associated with the cloud, but all cloud deployments ultimately stand on their founda- tional architecture. Implementing hybrid and multi-cloud solutions is easier with the help of a carrier-neutral colocation provider that has the existing IT infrastruc- ture to securely house private servers, enable access to cloud-based services and applications, and provide multiple options for network connectivity. MSPs and Colocation: A Perfect Union By Ernest Sampera CORE COMMUNICATIONS 60 CHANNEL V ISION | May 2021