When a business begins to outgrow its in-house IT setup, it’s often the server room that shows the strain first. Equipment overheats, power supply becomes patchy, and physical space runs out fast. Rather than building more infrastructure from scratch, many companies look to server colocation as a practical alternative.
This form of colocation services allows businesses to move their own server hardware into a dedicated colocation data centre without giving up control of the systems themselves. It’s an option that suits businesses wanting complete control over their software configurations and computing hardware, but who also need support with cooling systems, redundant power supply, and network connectivity.
Colocation of servers refers to the practice of housing privately owned servers and other computing hardware in a third-party data centre facility. You continue to manage and update your systems while benefitting from robust hardware management, multiple network connections, and advanced data security features.
Colocation is often preferred by businesses that want to avoid the capital expense of building their own data centre, while still enjoying the freedom to manage performance and configurations. It’s a reliable option for those who don’t want to rely fully on a cloud provider, but also can’t justify continuing with an on premises data centre.
It’s worth noting that many colocation providers offer flexible packages to suit different needs, from single-server units to multi-rack environments, including support for colocation server deployments.
Many businesses reach a point where managing servers internally becomes more of a burden than a benefit. Whether it’s due to limited space, rising energy costs, or frequent disruptions, an in-house server room can start holding your team back.
Server colocation offers a straightforward fix. Instead of investing more time and money into expanding internal infrastructure, you can move your existing servers into a purpose-built facility. You keep full control over your equipment—while gaining a more stable, secure environment to host it.
Here’s why this approach works for many organisations:
When working with a colocation hosting provider, you can expect a range of core services:
These facilities typically provide server space in locations with access to data centre locations that offer strong resilience and excellent network infrastructure.
It’s not just global corporations using colocation – it’s also:
It’s also a great stepping stone in any digital transformation journey, helping bridge traditional systems and cloud infrastructure.
And if you’re relying on just one service – but need it running 24/7 – colocation makes that happen.
For organisations deciding between maintaining servers on-site or colocating, the key differences are often practical and financial.
Feature | In-House Hosting | Server Colocation |
Initial Investment | High (capital expenditures) | Predictable monthly costs |
Power & Cooling | Managed internally | Facility includes cooling systems and redundant power supply |
Security | Limited access control | Professionally managed data security and physical security systems |
Internet Access | Standard broadband | Multiple network connections, often carrier-neutral |
Uptime | Not guaranteed | Service level agreements provided |
Scaling | Complex and costly | Add more servers or server space as needed with ease |
This solution works well for businesses that:
Colocation is especially valuable for organisations whose core business depends on uptime and data security, but who want to shift physical management elsewhere. It also makes sense for firms looking for personalized support without outsourcing everything. Many benefit from built-in disaster recovery features and flexibility in scaling.
Server colocation can offer a smart middle ground for businesses looking to improve infrastructure without giving up control. If your current setup is under pressure, but you’re not ready for a full move to the cloud, colocating your existing hardware might make sense.
You still manage your systems—how they run, what they run, and who accesses them. The difference is that your servers operate in a facility designed to support them, with proper cooling systems, rack space, and network infrastructure.
As demands grow, it’s not always practical to keep expanding in-house. Colocation provides a way to meet those needs without overhauling everything. It’s flexible, secure, and helps you stay focused on your core business while supporting other services and future expansion.
Want to see if colocation fits your setup? Let’s talk through it together.
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Asanti House, 4 Lister Way, Blantyre, Glasgow, G72 0FT
