As organizations move towards a more digitized and data-centric environment, the decision of whether to choose cloud or colocation can be a difficult one. While cloud solutions offer flexibility and cost-effectiveness, colocation offers security and control over critical workloads. 

So, which is better – cloud or colocation? The answer is not so simple. With data centers evolving into more complex environments that are distributed across multiple locations, and colocation providers offering a range of services beyond just floor space, electrical power, and internet connection, organizations can now choose to have both. This hybrid approach allows them to find the right mix of cloud and traditional IT that suits their needs.

Enter the Hybrid Approach

The evolution of data centers and colocation providers has made it possible for businesses to opt for a hybrid approach, blending traditional IT with cloud technology to suit their unique needs. With colocation providers now offering a range of services from managed IT to hybrid cloud, businesses can now have the best of both worlds.

Benefits of Colocation

For applications that require compute-dense resources and low latency response times, colocation is the ideal choice. With data sovereignty, security, and privacy being top concerns, colocation offers peace of mind by allowing businesses to locate and manage their data closer to their cloud, network, and security functions. Additionally, colocation provides cost-effectiveness for applications with predictable and stable demand, while offering the high-performance needed for AI, machine learning, and real-time data analytics.

Colocation & Cloud: The Future

As IT leaders look to reap the benefits of combining colocation with cloud, colocation providers must offer sophisticated network connectivity and service options to meet the evolving needs of their customers. With Gartner predicting that by 2025, 85% of enterprise infrastructure strategies will integrate on-premises, colocation, cloud, and delivery options, colocation providers must evolve to work with all cloud options and the increasingly sophisticated data requirements of businesses.

In conclusion, businesses no longer need to choose between cloud and colocation. With the option of a hybrid approach, they can have the best of both worlds, balancing a secure and stable production infrastructure with the agility and high-performance compute of cloud technology. Layer3Cloud, a leading Infrastructure as a Service cloud provider in Nigeria with multiple availability zones, offers both Colocation and Cloud as part of its service offerings, providing organizations with the flexibility to choose the solution that best fits their needs.