You probably won’t migrate a data centre more than a couple of times in your career, but when you do, it’s one of the biggest deals you’ll handle.
We often find that our clients have exhausted all alternatives, before resigning to the fact that they will have to move their data centre whether that be to a colocation facility or just another provider.
We help clients figure out the best path for their data centres all the time. Often, the smartest move is to stay put and work around the problem. But when a migration is the right call, picking the right data centre migration provider becomes absolutely essential.
This blog will help you spot the companies you might want to think twice about in order to complete a successful data centre migration.
So, you’re moving your data centre because the current one just isn’t cutting it anymore. What’s changed? Usually, it’s one of these reasons:
- Price increase – You are being charged more by your data centre, for the same space, often due to “market forces”, as your data centre provider puts it and the fact that “you have been on a greatly discounted rate for the last x years”.
- Service issues – Some of the more common complaints are power outages, slow response to fulfil your requests, access not sorted.
- You have outgrown your space – You need to expand and your current data centre provider cannot offer you the right space. This can also be the same for when companies decide it’s time to shrink their data centre footprint.
- Proximity – You now need to be close to an exchange or your new cloud provider.
- Acquisition – Your data centre has been acquired by a data centre provider that is at odds with your business.
I have just listed a few, in fact, there are many reasons as to why you would like to relocate your data centre, the key point here is that you want to choose the right partner.
Are you settling for substandard service from Data Centre Migration providers? Watch out for these warning signs!
Here are 5 red flags that should have you running for the hills!
1. A lack of relevant case studies on the company website. Any organisation worth their salt, should be able to provide a multitude of relevant case studies. Ok, some will not opt to display these on their websites, but on request, should be able to provide case studies of similar sized data centre migration projects, similar sector, similar location and similar complexity. Ask to speak to references as well. If a company cannot provide these data centre migration case studies and references, then think twice.
2. Unclear resource and delivery model. We understand that no company delivers everything, everywhere. As big and capable as IBM are, they will still outsource their data centre migrations to Technimove. McDonalds do not sell McDonalds cola. However, there is a fine line between partnering to strengthen and weakening by partnering. If not done well, then this can be a major risk to your data centre migration project.
3. Financial Credibility. This is key and often overlooked by all, but the largest organisations. Our client base often credit check us, due to the size and criticality of their projects. But often this due diligence is overlooked and not carried out.
What happens if the organisation that you entrust your data centre hardware to suddenly goes out of business halfway through the migration project or are not financially capable of covering losses that their insurance policy won’t? A company’s financial frailty will also govern their decisions around their service, particularly around contingency.
Are they skimping on resource allocation and delivering the project with the bare minimum resources? Do a credit check and give yourself that piece of mind.
4. Skill Set. It’s a big red flag when you’re on calls with project managers or IT pros who can reconfigure a Cisco switch but don’t know how to rack it or worse, struggle with a cage nut and end up needing a plaster! (Okay, maybe that’s a bad example – we still keep plasters in our toolkits for a reason!) But you get the point.
You want to see that your trusted data centre migration partner has in-house experts working on your project.
5. Experience. Does the company that you’re considering have the necessary internal experience to deliver your data centre migration successfully? These are complex projects that should not be taken lightly.
Has the company you are speaking to displayed that they have the skill to deliver what you need and more? Or are they simply nodding along saying “yes, we can do that” ?
It’s important to challenge your migration partner and their migration strategy. After all, they are the experts, right! Likewise they should be asking questions of you, that you’ve not considered. Suggesting options that would simplify the data centre migration, reduce the time, complexity and risk of the project and therefore the cost too.
To conclude, moving your data centre is a huge deal and picking the right partner can make all the difference between business continuity and and a costly headache. Keep an eye out for these red flags, ask the tough questions, and don’t settle for easy answers.
The right migration provider will bring experience, transparency, and genuine expertise to the table to help you avoid surprises and get your project done right. After all, this isn’t something you do every day, so it pays to choose wisely.
Don’t Risk Your Data Centre Move with Anything Less Than the Best
Discover how Technimove can help you avoid these pitfalls and execute a smooth, stress-free migration.
See Why Technimove Is Your Best Move
Ready to start your Data Centre migration?
At Technimove, we’ve helped thousands of businesses navigate their data centre migrations and with over 26 years of experience we don’t just talk about experience, we live it.
From in-house delivery and financial stability to hands-on expertise and real-world case studies, all the boxes we highlighted we confidently check them.
So, if you’re planning a move and want peace of mind that your migration is in safe, capable hands get in touch with our experts today.
Don’t Risk Your Data Centre Move with Anything Less Than the Best
Discover how Technimove can help you avoid these pitfalls and execute a smooth, stress-free migration.