As a small business expands, so do its data needs, as it utilizes more computers, files, and software. Finding a dedicated space for this will help streamline information storage, management, and dissemination.

This is where data centers come in. Data centers are onsite and virtual spaces where businesses store, process, and run applications. For SMEs, starting a data center might also mean hiring professionals to manage the complex systems needed to run your IT and security. Smaller businesses that can’t afford to invest in infrastructure can benefit from shared or colocation data centers instead. Colocation data centers can either be run by businesses that pool their resources to run a data center or by professional entities that offer data centers as a service. These are cheaper and more efficient as they are run on a larger scale and managed by experienced IT professionals.

Having an onsite data center in your office or nearby has the advantage of being able to reach them easily, along with having someone who understands the specific needs of a town or community, as opposed to the cloud where the service provider operates from a different culture. Still, cloud-based data centers from hosts like Salesforce, Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud are cheaper, more efficient, and come with the added benefit of artificial intelligence (AI) and the ability to crunch larger volumes of data. They also provide complementary services like accounting, customer relations management, and limitless storage with enhanced up-to-date security.

Whatever options SMEs choose, they must look out for how these data centers accelerate information flow within the business so that decisions are made faster and in an inclusive manner. In cases where the decision-making rests on management, they need to gather as much information as possible in the shortest amount of time and be able to connect the dots to have a holistic view of the problem.

All this might sound complex, but it is important to not rush the process. Your needs will evolve as your business grows. At first, you may need just your computer, then backup services, and then more as you continue to expand.

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