The possibility of remote work or simply “work-from-home” became a fully harnessed reality during the Covid-19 pandemic, becoming an organizational boon during and long after a pandemic. Remote work has afforded employees the flexibility of working within their control while enjoying the flexibility of resource management and more time with loved ones. The number of US employees working remotely grew by 40% in 2023, a five-fold growth from 2019 to 2023, with more people working remotely at least once a week. Organizations that have embraced a remote workforce testify to the benefits of a distributed talent pool, a more productive team, and a higher retention rate albeit not without some challenges accompanying the territory. The digital transformation that comes with the remote work innovation has also presented the possibility of building a virtual workplace from physical office spaces. This will imply moving data to an infrastructure such as an external data facility for safe data storage, processing, accessibility, and for the maintenance of their equipment and servers.

Consequently, running a private data center has become an option for organizations especially with the possibilities of storing data and applications in another safer facility other than in a physical infrastructure such as in a cloud-based solution.

Data Center Explained

A data center is a large group of networked computer servers used by organizations for the remote storage, processing, distribution, and accessibility of data, usually large-sized, required for business operation. A data center requires physical infrastructure components such as servers, storage devices, and networking equipment to work together to ensure seamless and secure data processing and storage. Data centers also provide continuous remote hands support which eliminates the need for an on-site IT staff to troubleshoot problems.  

Interestingly, Data centers have transitioned from being the traditional tightly controlled, on-premises IT infrastructure exclusive to just one company to remote networks housing virtualized and hybrid IT infrastructures for the shared use of multiple customers. Data centres are secure and scalable. They are great options for disaster recovery and provide access to cutting-edge tools.

Types of Data Centers

Enterprise (On-premises) Data Centers

On-premises, or “on-prem,” data centers are custom-built data centers sited in physical locations with all IT infrastructure and data hosted on-site. They are owned and managed by companies for their needs. While on-premises data centers allow organizations control over information security and compliance with regulations, they get to bear the cost of deployment, monitoring, and management.

Managed Services Data Centers

These types of data centers are deployed, administered, and monitored by a third-party service provider. The features and functions of the data centers are accessed through a managed service platform.

Organizations with limited space, workforce, or the expertise to deploy and manage an on-site IT infrastructure opt for managed data centers. The organization leases servers, storage, and networking hardware for multiple data centers while the data center provider oversees the administration, monitoring, and management.

Colocation Data Centers

This implies a hybrid setup in which an organization rents some space within a physical off-premises facility that hosts the infrastructure, including power supplies, cooling, and data center security while managing its components, including hardware and servers.

This type of facility provides customers the benefits of enjoying services that fit their unique business needs, optimizing their business growth while minimizing the total cost of ownership.

Cloud Data Centers

Cloud data centers are leased and hosted infrastructure off-premises data centers managed by a third-party service provider, accessed via the Internet. To handle the demands of artificial intelligence (AI), smaller, edge data centers are located closer to cloud customers to run real-time, data-intensive workloads.

Cloud data centers enable the creation of custom solutions that fit an organization’s needs to accommodate future opportunities. Partnering with cloud computing experts will help design a cloud solution enabling your business’s long-term success.

The Role of Data Centers in Facilitating Remote Working

As organizations embrace the endless possibilities in the innovative remote workplace setting, there is the need to navigate the turns-and-bends therein for successful operations. One of the things to do is to leverage an updated data center having established the kind of data center solution appropriate for an organization.

Let’s take a look at ways data centers enable remote work:

Access to Work Applications: Data centers are central access points for data and essential work applications. Remote employees are able to use applications that are situated in a data center from anywhere through cloud computing. They can also connect with other members of their team irrespective of the difference in time and location through these applications while preserving their data.

Direct On-Ramp Cloud Access: Organizations can leverage a carrier-neutral colocation data center for the connectivity options to access cloud service providers. With on-ramps, organizations are able to connect their data center infrastructure directly to cloud services without using public Internet networking. Cloud computing enables employees access to key work applications and data. They are also able to flexibly collaborate with other people in the virtual workplace for improved performance. What’s more, employees can enjoy the same working experiences irrespective of location or time differences. Colocation data centers also make it easy for organizations to set up the cloud environments that facilitate secure remote work, whether that means direct on-ramp access to a single cloud provider or shifting between several platforms within a multi-cloud deployment.

Uptime Reliability: Data centers enable timely and unrestrained access to the data and applications that employees need to work without the fear of network loss. Colocation data centers with superior reliability records and 100% uptime SLAs ensure that remote employees are able to access the cloud providers hosting the data and applications they need to do their jobs. Thus, preventing downtime-induced resources and revenue loss.

Enhanced IT Security: As organizations transition to the remote work model, security needs also heighten. A viable security option is to migrate assets in a secure data center as it prevents unauthorized access to servers.

Backup for Business Continuity: Organizational data and applications are safe with data center backup solutions and disaster recovery capabilities. Colocation data centers have versatile backup solutions such as a disaster recovery-as-a-service (DRaaS) solution or a fully hot site backup to keep remote offices running and to ensure business continuity no matter what happens.

Robust Bandwidth and Network Redundancy: Efficient remote work is dependent on reduced latency and uninterrupted data flow. An enhanced bandwidth and robust network infrastructure ensure smooth connectivity prevents bottlenecks and  foster a seamless remote work experience.

Scalable Architecture: The remote work terrain demands a scalable architecture for easy adaptation to changing workloads without compromising performance or functionality. Scalability ensures that the data center can efficiently handle fluctuations in demand. It therefore promotes flexibility and cost-effectiveness.

Reduced Cost of Operation: Data centers offer businesses the opportunity of reduced costs. Organizations, irrespective of their sizes, do not have to bother about the costs of space, infrastructure, and manpower given the availability of secure and dedicated single-, half-, and quarter-rack compartments, a pay-for-what-you-use model, as well as on-premise technicians available at data centers.

Remote Monitoring and Management Tools: These tools are essential for creating and maintaining a seamless and secure remote working environment. They enforce security policies, optimize network and endpoint performance, and enable fast and simple resolution of issues.

Security Considerations in the Deployment of Data Centers

Technological innovations present opportunities for professional and business growth and  adaptations in different facets. The remote work reality has equally evolved with new concerns in many areas, security inclusive. Here are some security considerations to bear in mind while deploying data centers for remote work.

Data privacy and Protection: Businesses should ensure compliance with extant data protection regulations such as the European Union General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) or the U.S. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Also, data privacy and security measures should be updated, especially with regard to the safe transfer of data.

Comprehensive Security Solutions: The remote work model despite its merits also presents potential vulnerabilities to network security. Consequently, organizations must regularly assess and update their network infrastructure to protect it from unauthorized access and security breaches. Endpoint security must equally be taken seriously; data centers must employ advanced endpoint security strategies like endpoint detection and response (EDR) and solutions such as antivirus software, firewalls, and regular updates to enhance threat visibility and reduce risks associated with potential endpoint vulnerabilities.

Conclusion

The remote work model is becoming the reality of modern work, a standard by which many companies operate. Telliswall Inc. offers you policy-based, custom solutions that afford you a maximum control of your time and resources, as well as secures your data. Our cloud-enabled services also allow your business access to globally distributed, secure, and efficient infrastructure, enabling you to leverage the potentials of the flexible work revolution.

References

Data Center Evolved (2024).The Role of Data Centers in Facilitating Remote Work https://www.databank.com/resources/blogs/the-role-of-data-centers-in-facilitating-remote-work/

Flexential (2023). What is a Data Center and Why is it Important for Business? https://www.flexential.com/resources/blog/what-is-data-center

Jacobs, T. () How data Centres are Enabling Remote Working https://datacom.com/nz/en/discover/articles/blog-how-data-centres-are-enabling-remote-working

Murray, D. (2022). How Cloud Computing Adoption Has Accelerated in the Remote Work Era https://www.networkcomputing.com/cloud-networking/how-cloud-computing-adoption-has-accelerated-in-the-remote-work-era

Sampera, E. (2020).Understanding the Role of Data Centers in Remote Workplaces https://www.austintechnologycouncil.org/understanding-the-role-of-data-centers-in-remote-workplaces/

Telliswall Inc. (2024). Hybrid Workplace Model: Bridging the Digital Divide https://telliswall.org/hybrid-workplace-model-bridging-the-digital-divide/