Fastrack Technology believes that employees should expect a fantastic technology experience whenever they come to work. For the past decade, Fastrack has made it its mission to create digital workplaces that inspire collaboration and productivity.

Working in some of the most complex environments in Australia and abroad, Fastrack consultants are network, infrastructure and cloud experts.

With a decade of world-class service under its belts, Fastrack is helping businesses navigate modern productivity, connectivity and security challenges.

To learn more about what Fastrack Technology does and how they are working with Data Centre 220, TechDay spoke with Nick Meeks, Global Manager of Data centre and Infrastructure Operations at Fastrack Technology.

What challenges are your customers facing?

Colocation customers face an array of challenges that require innovative solutions and expert support from providers. 

Compliance: Businesses operating in a highly regulated environment face stringent data storage and security requirements. Compliance mandates, such as GDPR, HIPAA, or industry-specific regulations, necessitate specific measures to safeguard sensitive information and maintain data privacy. 

Colocation providers can play a pivotal role in helping businesses navigate the complexities of compliance by offering secure and compliant facilities that adhere to industry standards and regulatory mandates. By doing so, they become valuable partners for businesses seeking to avoid potential legal ramifications and safeguard their reputations.

Scalability: In today's dynamic business landscape, companies must remain agile and adaptable to respond to changing market demands and organizational growth. 
Fastrack considers this a critical factor for businesses seeking to optimize their IT infrastructure without incurring exorbitant costs or operational disruptions. 

Colocation providers that offer flexible, scalable solutions empower their clients to expand or contract their IT resources seamlessly, aligning their infrastructure with evolving business requirements. 

Whether businesses are expanding their global presence and need an APAC presence or looking to establish a local presence in New Zealand, scalable colocation services such as those provided by Fastrack Technology with Datacentre220 become instrumental in supporting their ambitions.

Cost: Cost-effectiveness is a key driver for businesses evaluating their IT infrastructure options.

Colocation services present a viable alternative to building and managing data centers on-premises, reducing capital expenditures and ongoing operational costs. By leveraging economies of scale, colocation providers can offer competitive pricing models, allowing businesses to benefit from state-of-the-art facilities, robust security measures, and reliable connectivity without breaking the bank. 

The ability to provide cost-effective solutions is crucial for colocation providers seeking to appeal to a wide range of businesses, from startups and small enterprises to large corporations.

Support: IT infrastructure reliability and availability are paramount to businesses' day-to-day operations. Downtime or technical issues can result in significant financial losses and damage to a company's reputation. 

Colocation providers can differentiate themselves by offering comprehensive support services, including 24/7 monitoring, proactive maintenance, and efficient disaster recovery procedures. Rapid response times and expertise in resolving issues efficiently are essential for maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction and establishing long-term partnerships.

Infrastructure Management: Once businesses decide to collocate their infrastructure, the management and maintenance of equipment becomes a focal point. 

This is especially challenging for clients that do not have a physical presence in the geographical region where their colocation data centre is located. Fastrack Technology with Data Centre 220 in Auckland addresses this challenge through innovative solutions. They offer on-site "remote hands" support, where skilled engineers at the colocation facility can handle any physical requirements on your behalf.

Additionally, they provide fixed-fee managed out-of-band access to mission-critical devices, allowing engineers to have access to their systems. This level of support and remote accessibility ensures that businesses can efficiently manage their infrastructure, regardless of their location, thereby mitigating the complexities associated with geographical boundaries.

Understanding these challenges is imperative for colocation providers as we work to meet their client's evolving needs and maintain a competitive edge in the market.

"Fastrack Technology and Data Centre 220 manage every part of the colocation planning and deployment to custom tailor your experience to fit your needs. We can handle everything from design and procurement to deployment and management of datacentre assets," says Nick Meeks, Global Manager - Datacentre and Infrastructure Operations, Fastrack Technology.

How is the shift to remote/hybrid work impacting your customers or solutions?

The shift to hybrid and remote work models is profoundly affecting businesses' IT infrastructure requirements. With many companies transitioning to fully remote workforces, the necessity for physical offices is diminishing. However, the importance of housing critical IT infrastructure remains unchanged.

Colocation services play a pivotal role in supporting businesses in this new era of remote work. By relying on colocation providers to host their IT infrastructure, businesses can eliminate the need for on-premises data centers. This not only reduces overhead costs associated with owning or leasing a building but also ensures the security and reliability of their data and applications.

Moreover, colocation services offer a flexible and scalable solution, accommodating the changing needs of remote work environments. As businesses adapt to fluctuating demands, colocation providers can easily adjust resources and services accordingly, allowing clients to scale their IT infrastructure as needed.

Are there any niches that Fastrack sees opportunities in?

The colocation services and data centre market in New Zealand is experiencing significant growth, presenting an abundance of opportunities for colocation providers to expand their services and establish a stable presence in the region.

One area with promising potential is the provision of managed firewall services, a crucial component in ensuring data security and protecting businesses from the ever-evolving threats that loom in a shared digital landscape.

By offering managed firewall services, colocation providers provide a fundamental layer of defence against cyber attacks and streamline the entire process for their clients. This includes handling the deployment, configuration, and ongoing management of edge firewall devices, leaving businesses free to focus on their core operations and strategic initiatives. 

"Fastrack Technology has continuing plans to expand our presence globally in the colocation services field, and Data Centre 220 has become an integral partner in jointly delivering those services to the New Zealand market," adds Meeks. 

Moreover, with the mounting complexity of cybersecurity regulations and compliance requirements, colocation providers that can navigate this landscape and ensure their facilities adhere to industry standards can become trusted partners for businesses seeking a secure and compliant environment to house their critical data and applications.

As businesses increasingly rely on colocation for their IT infrastructure, the demand for secure and managed firewall solutions has grown exponentially, and this trend is expected to continue its upward trajectory as companies become more vigilant about safeguarding their sensitive information and intellectual property.

Another burgeoning area of opportunity within the colocation market is edge computing, a trend that has gained substantial momentum in New Zealand as businesses endeavour to enhance the performance and reliability of their applications.

Edge computing involves processing data closer to the source of generation, reducing latency and enabling real-time insights and actions.

The benefits of adopting edge computing solutions extend beyond enhanced performance; they also encompass heightened security measures and cost efficiencies. With data processing occurring closer to the source, businesses can minimize data exposure and potential vulnerabilities associated with transmitting data over long distances. 

Additionally, edge computing enables organizations to streamline data transfer and reduce bandwidth consumption, ultimately resulting in cost savings for businesses that rely heavily on data-intensive operations. By offering edge computing capabilities, colocation providers position themselves at the forefront of innovation and reinforce their value proposition to businesses seeking a competitive edge in their respective industries.

Moreover, beyond these new categories, existing niches within the colocation services and data centre industry also offer untapped opportunities for growth and specialization.

Colocation providers that choose to cater their services to specific industries can carve out unique market segments and tailor their offerings to meet the distinct needs and requirements of various sectors. 

Whether it's healthcare, finance, manufacturing, or any other industry, a targeted, customized approach allows colocation providers to understand the intricacies of their client's operations and design solutions that align seamlessly with their objectives.

Customization may involve providing specialized hardware configurations, unique connectivity options, or personalized service-level agreements (SLAs). This level of flexibility appeals to enterprises looking for more than a one-size-fits-all approach and creates a competitive advantage for colocation providers that can adapt their services to accommodate diverse business needs.

The evolving colocation market presents exciting prospects for providers to explore and capitalize on various categories and niches, allowing them to establish a solid foothold in New Zealand and build a reputation as leaders in the industry.