Definition
A Managed Data Center refers to a facility where an organization’s IT infrastructure, including servers, storage, and networking equipment, is housed and managed by a third-party service provider. This provider takes care of maintenance, security, monitoring, and data backup, allowing the organization to focus on its core business operations. By utilizing a Managed Data Center, companies can benefit from reduced operational costs, increased reliability, and seamless scalability.
Key Takeaways
- Managed Data Center refers to a data center facility where various services such as infrastructure, equipment, and management are provided by a third-party provider to help companies store, process, and manage their data more efficiently.
- The services offered in a Managed Data Center typically include storage, networking, security, backup, disaster recovery, and monitoring, leaving the client with more time to focus on their core business operations.
- Choosing a Managed Data Center can result in cost savings, increased reliability, and better security for businesses, as they can take advantage of the expertise, technology, and economies of scale offered by the third-party provider.
Importance
The term “Managed Data Center” is important in the technology field because it encompasses a comprehensive approach to managing a data center infrastructure, where a team of experts or a third-party organization actively monitors, maintains, and optimizes the resources within the facility.
As the backbone of modern digital enterprises, data centers require efficient and effective handling to ensure the smooth operation of critical systems such as storage, networking, and computing.
By utilizing managed data centers, businesses can maximize operational efficiency, reduce costs, improve security and compliance, and focus on their core competencies without being burdened by the complexities of managing their information technology infrastructure.
This ultimately enhances the overall performance, scalability, and competitiveness of these organizations in an ever-evolving digital landscape.
Explanation
A Managed Data Center is a state-of-the-art facility designed to store, process, and manage vast amounts of digital information in a secure and efficient manner. It facilitates the operation of an organization’s automated and manual processes in today’s data-driven world.
The primary purpose of a Managed Data Center is to provide businesses with robust and scalable computing infrastructure, crucial to ensure optimal performance and 24/7 availability of their applications, databases, and websites. It serves as the backbone of modern IT infrastructures by offering efficient management of computational resources, networking, and storage, while also addressing critical aspects like business continuity and disaster recovery.
Essentially, a Managed Data Center is designed to meet the ever-growing demands of businesses that rely heavily on technology for their day-to-day operations. By outsourcing the management of their data center to a specialized service provider, organizations can benefit from cost savings, increased efficiency, and better allocation of their IT resources.
Managed Data Center providers typically deliver a comprehensive suite of services, including monitoring, security, backup, and maintenance, thereby allowing the businesses to focus on their core competencies while ensuring top-notch performance of their critical IT functions. With a strong emphasis on reliability, scalability, and security, a Managed Data Center is geared towards providing an environment conducive to the seamless functioning of an organization’s technology footprint, driving competitive advantage and fostering business growth.
Examples of Managed Data Center
A Managed Data Center is a facility where an organization’s IT infrastructure and resources, such as servers, networking equipment, and storage systems, are centrally managed and maintained by a team of skilled professionals. Here are three real-world examples of Managed Data Centers:
IBM Managed Data Centers: IBM operates a global network of Managed Data Centers that provide a wide range of services, such as cloud hosting, server colocation, data storage, and management solutions for various industries like financial services, healthcare, and retail. These data centers are equipped with the latest technologies and are in compliance with several industry standards and regulations, ensuring that their client’s data is secure and available.
Rackspace Technology Managed Data Centers: Rackspace Technology is a global provider of managed IT infrastructure and services, with a network of data centers across North and South America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. They offer a variety of services, such as cloud hosting, private cloud, managed security, and database management, tailored to meet the needs of different businesses. With their team of experts and 24/7 support, Rackspace Technology ensures that businesses can focus on their core operations while their data center infrastructure is well-maintained and secure.
Equinix Managed Data Centers: Equinix is a leading provider of data center services, offering a variety of solutions, such as colocation, interconnection, and managed IT services, to businesses around the world. With over 200 data centers across 25 countries, Equinix provides a scalable and interconnected environment that ensures high-performance and reliability for their clients’ critical digital assets. By utilizing Equinix’s Managed Data Centers, businesses can offload the complexities of managing their IT infrastructure and benefit from enhanced security, redundancy, and compliance standards.
Managed Data Center FAQ
What is a Managed Data Center?
A Managed Data Center is a facility where organizations outsource their IT infrastructure and day-to-day management to a third-party service provider. This alleviates the need for the organization to maintain its own infrastructure, staff, and resources for technology management, providing a cost-effective and streamlined solution for businesses.
Why should a company choose to use a Managed Data Center?
Companies choose to use Managed Data Centers for several reasons, such as cost savings, improved infrastructure, increased security, and access to expert assistance when needed. They also offer flexible scaling, allowing businesses to grow and adapt their requirements without the hassle and expense of building and maintaining their own data center.
What type of services do Managed Data Centers offer?
Managed Data Centers provide a variety of services including IT infrastructure management, hardware and software maintenance, network administration, server hosting, data storage, backup and recovery, cybersecurity, and 24/7 monitoring and support.
How is a Managed Data Center different from a traditional data center?
A traditional data center refers to a physical facility owned and operated by a company for its own IT infrastructure and resources. In contrast, a Managed Data Center is owned and operated by a third-party provider, managing IT infrastructure on behalf of one or more client organizations. This offloads the responsibilities and complexities associated with infrastructure management, allowing organizations to focus on their core business.
What are the security measures implemented in Managed Data Centers?
Managed Data Centers typically use a variety of security measures to protect client data and infrastructure, including physical security (access control systems, surveillance cameras), network security (firewalls, intrusion detection/prevention systems), application security (antivirus, patching updates), and personnel security (employee background checks, security training).
Related Technology Terms
- Colocation
- Cloud Computing Services
- Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM)
- Disaster Recovery
- Virtualization
Sources for More Information
- IBM: A globally recognized technology company, offering managed data center services as part of their extensive IT solutions.
- Amazon Web Services (AWS): A leading cloud-computing platform providing managed data center services and other infrastructure solutions for businesses.
- Equinix: A data center and colocation service provider, specializing in managed data center services for businesses around the world.
- Flexential: A leading provider of secure and scalable data center solutions, offering managed data center services to support organizations’ IT infrastructure needs.
