By Tanya Lay, Director, Asset Management

In today's digital landscape, data centres have become the backbone of our interconnected world. As businesses increasingly rely on mission-critical applications and data, the importance of selecting the right location cannot be overstated. In this blog post, we will delve into the advantages of colocation data centres and explore how sustainability plays a pivotal role in this decision-making process.

The limitations of on-premises infrastructure

Many Irish enterprises still operate their mission-critical applications in on-premises infrastructure. However, as technology takes centre stage in every organisation's operations, businesses are starting to encounter the limitations of their server closets. On-premises infrastructure demands significant effort to implement, run, and maintain, making it less efficient and more challenging to manage.

The benefits of colocation data centres

Colocation data centres offer a myriad of advantages that make them an appealing choice for businesses. One of the key benefits is efficiency, particularly in terms of energy consumption. Colocation data centres are purposefully designed and optimised to consume less power, resulting in lower electricity bills compared to on-premises infrastructure. In fact, studies have shown that colocation data centres are at least 25% more energy efficient, making them a sustainable option for businesses in need of IT infrastructure.

Connectivity is another crucial factor to consider

Connectivity is the key transformative benefit of colocation. By colocating your infrastructure in our Dublin data centres, you join a digital hub allowing you to connect directly to 50+ fixed and mobile carriers, ISPs and CDNs, internet exchanges and all major public cloud providers, seven transatlantic submarine cable systems, enabling you to develop and launch digital services to meet business needs. Businesses can also enjoy enhanced security and direct on-ramps to popular cloud services such as Microsoft Azure and Amazon Web Services (AWS).

Digital Realty’s ServiceFabric^TM also offers a range of benefits for businesses. Firstly, it provides a seamless and on-demand suite of services, allowing companies to easily connect with global cloud, network providers, and business partners. This connectivity enables efficient collaboration and data transfer between different locations and ecosystems. Secondly, ServiceFabric^TM ensures secure connections through network segmentation and private backbone, bypassing the public internet. This enhances data security and compliance.

Sustainability and energy efficiency

As new EU regulations come into effect, organisations must prioritise the energy use of their critical systems. Colocation data centres offer significant improvements in energy efficiency compared to on-premises servers. The recent updates to the Energy Efficiency Directive emphasise the importance of transparent and efficient resource use, highlighting the crucial role of data centres in promoting environmental, economic, and social sustainability.

Digital Realty's commitment to sustainability

Digital Realty is at the forefront of sustainability initiatives. They have taken part in the Science Based Targets initiative and pledged to reduce 68% of their direct and indirect emissions. Additionally, Digital Realty has signed the EU Climate Neutral Data Centre Pact, demonstrating their dedication to environmental responsibility.

Digital Realty also actively supports the renewable energy transition on the Irish energy grid, with the roll out of a Dynamic Frequency Response project across our sites. By utilising batteries on our Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) systems, we contribute to dynamic frequency balancing services, which help support the grid. This initiative aims to save 65,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually, contributing to a greener and more sustainable future.

Conclusion

Selecting the right location for your data is paramount for businesses in today's digital landscape. Colocation data centres offer efficiency, reliability, connectivity, and sustainability advantages that make them an attractive option for running mission-critical applications. With the increasing focus on energy efficiency and environmental responsibility, businesses can make a positive impact by transitioning away from on-premises infrastructure and embracing the benefits of colocation data centres. By choosing the right data centre location, businesses can unlock their full potential and thrive in the digital age./p>

Global Colocation Market Trends