By Karl Magsig
In some cases, the client leases only the computer equipment housed at the co-location provider (as is the business plan for HavenCo). Again, this is a matter of personal preference; many enterprises have a certain comfort level knowing they actually own the hardware in use. However, non-ownership of hardware can also have its advantages, such as lower maintenance costs and scheduled upgrades.
While most service plans offered by co-location providers include technical personnel who will respond quickly in case of trouble, it’s not quite the same as being there, or having a trusted individual there to handle the crisis. In some cases where the co-location provider is not in the same area or region as the customer’s home office, there can be different, often unexpected, natural or environmental disasters. For example, someone running an office in Kansas and evaluating possible security hazards may not consider the possibility of an earthquake near an office in California.