The pandemic caused substantial changes in all aspects of our lives, including a thorough overhaul of working methods. The unexpected shift to home working (which was initially expected to be temporary) lasted much longer than expected and eventually evolved into an overall shift in perception; many who were eager to return to work when the pandemic first struck adjusted well to hybrid working practices and, after two years, became less eager to return to work full-time.

Many businesses faced new IT issues as remote working became more prevalent. Previously, when everything was managed centrally, IT teams might establish rules that allowed for some mobile working when necessary. Things have changed dramatically since remote or hybrid working became the norm. 

While IT error and familial interruptions during online meetings were amusing at the start of the lockdown, there is now an expectation that everything will go smoothly; a large proportion of workers rely on cloud resources and online meeting software, so a correspondingly hybrid data center architecture is required to make this work.

Definition of Colo (Colocation)

The term colocation encompasses numerous elements of this sort of data centre. First, the word refers to the fact that servers and other equipment from several companies are 'co-located' in the same data centre. The hardware is typically owned by the companies and is simply housed (and occasionally maintained) by the data centre staff. It also refers to the fact that a company's equipment might be placed in numerous locations. They may have servers.

Remote Working Trends

• Remote working habits have changed dramatically in recent years, thanks partly to technical developments and altering work cultures. Employees increasingly use high-speed internet and collaborative technologies to operate seamlessly from various locations. 

• This trend is not merely about flexibility but represents a fundamental redefinition of the workplace, promoting work-life balance, global talent accessibility, and significant cost savings. Technological infrastructure, particularly cloud computing, plays a pivotal role in facilitating remote access to company resources. 

• While offering various advantages, remote work also introduces challenges, prompting organizations to implement innovative solutions. The growth of hybrid work models, which combine in-office and remote features, demonstrates a nuanced approach to meeting the changing needs of the modern workforce. 

• The remote working trend represents a paradigm shift in work dynamics, emphasizing adaptability, connectedness, and employee well-being in a dynamic and digitalized environment.

Importance of Colocation in Remote Working 

In the context of remote working, colocation refers to strategically placing a company's servers and IT equipment in a third-party data centre. This approach is quite useful for a variety of reasons.

Reliability and Redundancy

Colocation facilities aim to create a stable and safe environment for servers. They provide backup power supplies, cooling systems, and internet access, allowing activities to continue even in the event of local outages.

Network Performance

Colocation services usually provide high-speed, low-latency internet connections and access to a variety of carriers. This increases network throughput, allowing remote employees to access company resources with minimal latency.

Scalability and Flexibility

Colocation enables organizations to extend their IT infrastructure as needed, free of the limits of physical office space. This flexibility is critical for meeting the changing demands of remote work situations.

Remote Accessibility

Colocated servers can be managed remotely, offering IT teams the ability to monitor and maintain infrastructure from anywhere. This is crucial for remote work scenarios, providing the necessary control and oversight.

Advantages of Colocation for Remote Teams

Colocation for remote teams involves bringing team members together physically in a shared workspace, and this approach has several advantages.

Improved Communication

Face-to-Face Interaction: Colocation allows team members to connect face-to-face, which can improve communication as compared to virtual channels. Non-verbal clues, body language, and impromptu exchanges are more easily understood in person.

Instant Feedback: When team members are physically present, it becomes easier to provide quick and direct feedback. This can result in faster decision-making and modifications to ongoing projects.

Enhanced Collaboration

Real-Time Collaboration: Colocated teams may work in real-time, eliminating the delays inherent in remote communication. This can lead to more effective collaboration on tasks, projects, and issue-solving.

Brainstorming and Creativity: Being in the same physical space encourages spontaneous brainstorming sessions and innovative discussions, which can be difficult to execute online.

Strengthened Team Cohesion

Building Relationships: Colocation provides opportunities for team members to build personal relationships and bonds, which can positively impact team dynamics and morale.

Shared Culture: Being physically present in the same location helps to reinforce the same organizational culture, beliefs, and goals. This shared understanding can help to create a more unified and cohesive team.

Increased Productivity

Reduced Communication Barriers: Colocation minimizes the challenges associated with time zone differences, language barriers, and technical issues that can impede remote collaboration.

Focused Work Environment: A colocated setting can provide a dedicated and focused work environment, reducing potential distractions and increasing overall productivity.

Effective Problem-Solving

Immediate Resolution: Colocated teams can address issues promptly and collaboratively, leading to quicker problem resolution compared to the potential delays in coordinating solutions across remote settings.

Team Bond and Trust: Trust develops more organically when team members collaborate closely. Trust is essential for effective issue-solving and decision-making within a team.

Read More: What Features To Look For in a Data centre

Conclusion

Colocation (colo) facilities play a pivotal role in the era of remote working by providing secure, reliable, and scalable infrastructure for businesses. As organizations increasingly embrace decentralized work environments, colocation serves as a cornerstone for robust connectivity, data storage, and efficient IT operations, ensuring seamless remote collaboration and sustained productivity.

Expert support and strategic Guidance

Our team of skilled professionals is available 24/7 to assist clients and can serve as an extension of their IT teams. We also offer strategic guidance on optimizing and transforming IT operations. The recent changes in work practices have accelerated the digital transformation plans of many organizations and some of our clients have found our facility to be a valuable platform for their digital transformation activities.