Posted on Mon, Feb 20, 2012 @ 09:00 AM
By Steve Latos
Video chat and video conferencing can be exceptionally beneficial to the development of your business, as it relates to your internal collaboration, marketing, sales and networking purposes. Video communication is now readily available, cost effective and easy to implement.
Traditional face-to-face meetings will never go out of fashion because they provide information that no other communication channel can. At the same time, video communication expands the possibilities for every company, including an expansion of your activities into broader geographies with limited cost.
Why are video chat and video conferencing becoming such an important part of business communication today?
- Video communication is available through a number of messaging or unified communication tools. In addition, numerous VoIP telephone systems easily enable "video discussion." Video chat and video conferencing can essentially be available anywhere and anytime.
- It is an effective form of communication for people throughout your business. People who are involved in marketing, sales, public relations, training and development are likely already using (at least as participants) video communication in the form of live or recorded webinars.
- One of the biggest advantages of this form of communication is that it tends to be much more personal than email, traditional chat and audio conferencing. Although information transfer is the most important part of the story, additional visuals can better convey your story and provide better context and visual cues to make your point.
- Video chat and video conferencing obviously enables improved long-distance communication. International calls can be expensive, making video conferencing via the internet easily justifiable. Video communication technologies allow for the establishment of connections across broad geographies, effectively all around the world.
- Video chat can be utilized for improved communication inside the corporation, as well. Keeping connected to colleagues, sharing and collaborating on projects will streamline processes and improve productivity - simply, the result of improved communications!
Fundamentally, people just respond better to seeing a face, rather than only communicating by email or telephone.
GCN provides businesses, SMB to Enterprise, with voice, data, cloud, colocation and data center services solutions from over 150 partner providers worldwide. Not as the typical telecommunications agency or reseller, but as their technology advisor. We determine and tailor the best solutions to meet our customers' needs world-wide. We save our clients the time and trouble of managing one or more service providers and leverage the best solutions for them at the most cost effective price.
Should you have questions or need assistance on your next project please do not hesitate to contact me here.
Posted on Wed, Feb 15, 2012 @ 08:18 AM
By Chris Palermo
Stated simply, SIP Trunking utilizes Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology for telephony services. SIP (Session Initiated Protocol) enables the digital streaming of voice and data and can best be thought of as a way to cost effectively integrate digital telephony with a traditional telephone system.
In essence, SIP Trunking provides interoperability that enables businesses that have a traditional PBX-based phone system to expand and use VoIP through their internet connectivity. Your PBX will need a SIP-enabled trunk side and some other connectivity 
devices to enable it, but the components are inexpensive. You will also want a SIP provider that can offer QoS (Quality of Service) to ensure PSTN-equivalent or better performance.
SIP is a good option for organizations wanting to lower their overall telephony costs by moving to VoIP, but whose previous PBX has not yet reached end-of-life. Telephone system expansions are easily managed by integrating SIP, so your new investments are in VoIP and you can begin achieving the associated financial benefits.
You will need to be sure your internet data connection has sufficient bandwidth to handle your SIP calls. With the use of the internet, PSTN gateways, PRI's and BRI's are no longer needed. Through IP, all the processes are simplified. SIP Trunking is easily scalable, which makes other future expansions and moves easier, while maintaining an architecture that is optimized for efficiency.
Those on SIP Trunks, with the appropriate equipment, will also be able to make video calls, enable video conferences and can take advantage of desktop sharing or shared white board capabilities available through Unified Communications.
SIP Trunking is easy to implement and integrate, it has good scalability, enables the transport of both voice and data and reduces costs.
GCN provides businesses, SMB to Enterprise, with voice, data, cloud, colocation and data center services solutions from over 150 partner providers worldwide. Not as the typical telecommunications agency or reseller, but as their technology advisor. We determine and tailor the best solutions to meet our customers' needs world-wide. We save our clients the time and trouble of managing one or more service providers and leverage the best solutions for them at the most cost effective price.
Should you have questions or need assistance on your next project please do not hesitate to contact me here, or via twitter at @SChrisPalermo.
Posted on Thu, Feb 09, 2012 @ 08:51 AM
By Steve Latos
Most email systems now have components that enable you to pick up your mail while on the go. Interoperability with mobile devices is at an all time high, so the idea of always having access to email is pretty predominant.
So, why would you consider or why might it be better to utilize a webmail solution or an email application that is hosted “in the cloud?”
- Cost Containment and Predictability
- Convenient Access
- Improved Service and Functionality
- Easy Storage Management
- Disaster Avoidance & Business Continuity
If your company is still working with an email system that ties you to Outlook or another local premise-based email client, it might be time to switch. Corporate webmail or hosted services offer improved functionality, resilience and flexibility. And, when you consider your total costs of maintaining and upgrading, you will save money. You’ll know your messages are safe and accessible from absolutely anywhere, well protected and fully secure.
We never used to admit it, but now we all know, “Email is a critical application for our businesses!”
GCN provides businesses, SMB to Enterprise, with voice, data, cloud, colocation and data center services solutions from over 150 partner providers worldwide. Not as the typical telecommunications agency or reseller, but as their technology advisor. We determine and tailor the best solutions to meet our customers' needs world-wide. We save our clients the time and trouble of managing one or more service providers and leverage the best solutions for them at the most cost effective price.
Should you have questions or need assistance on your next project please do not hesitate to contact me here.
Posted on Thu, Feb 02, 2012 @ 09:17 AM
By Chris Palermo
Cloud computing is a big technology buzz word right now. If you are an Apple iPhone or iPod user, you might have your music, calendar and contacts stored in the iCloud. But, what really is cloud computing and why should you care?
In its simplest form, cloud computing is a service that delivers an ability to use computer applications or tools that are provided to you as a service, rather than a product. The tools are delivered in a “pay for use” model so, if you use more, you pay more and, conversely, if you use less, you pay less. Think of it as “computing by the drink.” Typically, the delivery mechanism is via the internet, but you can also have a “private cloud” designed specifically 
for your business, which might be appropriate for applications that are for "internal use only" or must remain highly secure.
Not to confuse you, but there are also applications and tools that are delivered from a cloud computing platform that are priced as a subscription rather than “by the drink.” So, you might pay so much per month for the opportunity to use a given tool as often as you like. You still don’t have to pay what would likely be a much more substantial price to fully acquire it.
Providers are now delivering services via the cloud in several different environments. Don’t let them fool you, regardless of the form, the common thread is that you never have to buy in at the full acquisition cost – you pay to use, either “by the drink” or by subscription:
- SaaS – Software as a Service has been around for many years. Whether it is free, or for a fee, the online banking application you use to pay bills electronically is SaaS. The poplular CRM application, Salesforce.com, is a SaaS solution that really changed the paradigm as to how businesses started to use CRM systems, showing a great preference for paying “by the seat,” rather than acquiring, implementing and maintaining their own systems.
- IaaS – Infrastructure as a Service enables you to granularly pay for computing capacity, data storage and network bandwidth based upon how much you use. Commercial providers in this space will give you access to an online portal where you can actually connect and prepare more hardware infrastructure on the fly as you need it.
- ITaaS – IT as a Service creates an environment where all of your desktop applications are deliverd via the cloud in what is called a virtual desktop. Thus you can easily access all your usual applications while on the road or any time you don’t have access to your office without any letdown in productivity. All you need is an internet connection. Also, Helpdesk and other IT support functions can be provided the same way. This doesn’t necessarily preclude getting technical support via the telephone, but standardizes support delivery in a more cost-effective manner.
- CaaS – Communication as a Service delivers your telephony, chat and other collaboration tools from the cloud. The technology has improved to the point where Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone call quality is often right up there with traditional TDM solutions and delivered at a significant and predictable cost savings.
Can cloud computing benefit your business? In all likelihood, I would say that is an “absolute YES!” But, where do you start and how do you go about it?
GCN provides businesses, SMB to Enterprise, with voice, data, cloud, colocation and data center services solutions from over 150 partner providers worldwide. Not as the typical telecommunications agency or reseller, but as their technology consultant. We determine and tailor the best solutions to meet our customers' needs world-wide. We save our clients the time and trouble of managing one or more service providers and leverage the best solutions for them at the most cost effective price.
Should you have questions or need assistance on your next project please do not hesitate to contact me here, or via twitter at @SChrisPalermo.
Posted on Thu, Jan 19, 2012 @ 01:29 PM
By Steve Latos
What would you do if your laptop was stolen or something happened to your office to prevent you from having access to it for an extended period of time? Either way, it could be a major impact on your business, not to mention the impact of someone else potentially having access to your sensitive and confidential business information (in the case of the stolen laptop).
One of the benefits of cloud computing is that you not only use applications and tools that are delivered from a geographically diverse, hardened and secure data center with built-in redundancy, but your business data would also safely reside there.
What if your businesses network failed? Do you have other ways to access the information it takes to get your job done? What if software or hardware problems disable you? Ever seen the dreaded blue screen indicating a potentially fatal hardware error? Most businesses try to perform regular data backups, but how often do you extensively test restoring your data? What about the applications? Do you know how long it takes to re-image a system? Too often, businesses make that awful discovery and find out the last backup wasn’t taken or recovery was never tested and it doesn’t work!
The bottom line is that we are all dependent upon our technology, but why not have a computing architecture that will enable you to use your applications and access your data in minutes even if one of these “occurrences” happens to you?
Are you prepared for a break-in and theft? What about a fire or a natural disaster like a hurricane or earthquake? You may have your business interruption insurance up to date, but if you are not quickly back in business, then you are quickly out of business!
Cloud computing creates an environment whereby you are not recovering from a disaster, but avoiding one. Working with the cloud typically only requires you have access to any internet connection – with any functional laptop or desktop computer and an internet connection you can “go to work.”
Virtually any type of computing you do now via a local networked server or right on your desktop can be delivered through cloud architecture. You can even set a cloud utility that will automatically and regularly backup to the cloud any computer files you have saved on your local system - with no interruption or impact to your day-to-day productivity.
You can have your telephone and email systems in the cloud. The cloud is not only safer and more efficient when you really need it, but your costs for solutions will be more predictable and often more cost effective as well.
GCN provides businesses, SMB to Enterprise, with voice, data, cloud, colocation and data center services solutions from over 150 partner providers worldwide. Not as the typical telecommunications agency or reseller, but as their technology consultant. We determine and tailor the best solutions to meet our customers' needs world-wide. We save our clients the time and trouble of managing one or more service providers and leverage the best solutions for them at the most cost effective price.
Should you have questions or need assistance on your next project please do not hesitate to contact me here.
Posted on Mon, Dec 19, 2011 @ 03:37 PM
By Chris Palermo
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephone systems have the upper hand over traditional phone systems on several fronts. Aside from centralizing the company’s communication systems onto a single, easy to manage web-based platform, the enterprise will enjoy the benefits of all the advanced features that come with the system. Hosted VoIP systems provide more flexibility, functionality and convenient access to information while maximizing user productivity and reducing costs.
Two approaches to implementing VoIP are available: in-house and hosted. Both tend to give you more when compared to traditional office telephone systems, but a hosted service is even more convenient, scalable and cost-effective. These factors, plus the low to zero on-net (inter-user and inter-location) calling costs gives the hosted VoIP service the advantage over in-house VoIP systems for general business needs.
Some of the key advantages of hosted VoIP over traditional office telephone systems are:
Deployment and Operating Costs
Traditional phone systems rely on having a physical Private Branch Exchange (PBX) system to handle call routing and other call operations. This is not the case when using a hosted VoIP service as all you would need are IP (internet protocol) phones for users and, perhaps, a voice gateway that will link to a router. The sophisticated PBX service and features are provided by the hosting service. You therefore save on the hardware and installation costs vs. physical on-site PBX system.
The operating costs are also significantly reduced. A hosted PBX VoIP service allows you to make local and long-distance calls for a minimal charge and some providers offer the option for unlimited monthly calling for no additional fee - it is included by paying a higher monthly subscription fee. Calls that utilize the system between an organization’s users and across locations are typically no charge.
Convenience
While traditional business phone systems offer little convenience for individuals who are constantly on the move or for those telecommuting; all that’s needed with hosted VoIP is the IP phone and a good internet connection. Mobile staff will benefit from the convenience and flexibility, only having to access an internet connection to be able to work from anywhere around the world. They’ll have access to the company’s telephone system over the Internet, eliminating the need to have a separate phone system. And, with the added convenience of "soft phone" software, a mobile user can actually plug a headset into their laptop and use it as the "voice gateway" to make VoIP calls from their extension on the company's system.
Businesses can also relocate quite easily without having to worry about changing the phone service provider or changing telephone numbers if preferable. And as all operations occur and all data is hosted in the "cloud," (off-site via a robust and redundant, independently managed data center) it provides an effective contingency for disaster avoidance or recovery.
Advanced Feature Set
Hosted VoIP services are integrated with an advanced set of features that will benefit both small and large enterprises. These include powerful voicemail functions, automated attendants, caller ID, message notification, call waiting, audio conferencing, automated forwarding and transferring. The caller ID feature is especially useful in integrating with the firm’s CRM system, as the user is furnished with full information regarding the caller. Armed with such information, companies are better able to serve their customers based on the orders, preferences or needs of each individual. It's also important to understand that video chat and video conferencing are expected to become much more mainstream over the next several months. These capabilities are becoming inexpensive to deliver and the IP telephone manufacturers are beginning to deliver more affordable video-capable handsets.
Managing users is much simpler too – just logging in to the phone system's portal and making a few clicks here and there to add or delete users. It is also possible to track the calls made by them; an asset for improved staff productivity.
Overall, hosted VoIP can add more functionality while driving down the costs of acquiring and operating a business telephone phone system. Internet service providers are becoming more reliable, warding off worries of internet service failure on which the system depends. And, if there is an internet failure, calls are still received by the system and callers can still interact with it and leave messages as if everything is fully operational – no calls are lost.
Global Communication Networks has sourced, negotiated and project managed colocation and telecommunications projects all over the world. Should you have questions or need assistance on your next project please do not hesitate to contact me here, or via twitter at @SChrisPalermo.
Posted on Thu, Dec 08, 2011 @ 12:18 PM
By Chris Palermo
When considering a colocation provider, there are a number of metrics that need to be evaluated. One metric that may be overlooked is the PUE, or Power Usage Effectiveness. Simply put, the PUE is a metric that quantifies the power efficiency of the overall data center operation and is expressed as a ration between the power entering the data center over what the IT assets actually consume. According to the Uptime Institute, an enterprise data center industry group, the average data center PUE is 1.8.
In a typical data center, there is a significant amount of support equipment needed to provide the servers (and technicians that physically maintain them) with a suitable operating environment. This support equipment includes lighting, CRAC (computer room air conditioners), UPS (un-interruptible power supplies, chillers, cooling towers, security systems, and other 
systems designed to provide an environment conducive to server up-time and reliability. It is the efficient operation of this equipment that the PUE metric is concerned with and is a direct reflection on the overall efficiency of the operation.
There are several very good reasons to be concerned about PUE. First, there is the bottom line. A lower cost of operation could easily translate into a lower colocation expense. Every dollar of electricity saved by the colocation provider can be re-invested in the operation to make it more reliable, more efficient, or both - for you, the client. It can also serve as a hedge against rising energy prices which, in a less efficient center, would likely be passed on to the client.
Second, government regulatory agencies, environmental management systems such as ISO 14001, and the Global Reporting Initiative are increasingly requiring organizations to report their carbon footprint. A colocation organization is considered a supplier to another firm and a part of the client firm's company footprint. Thus, the vendor's consumption of resources is attributed to their client's as well. When considering your company's environmental impact, your vendors matter. Obviously, from this perspective, it makes sense to choose vendors who demonstrate and practice world-class performance. The PUE is a good metric to help colocation clients make an informed decision.
Third, there is sustainability. There is a growing interest in sustainability in the business community and a growing demand from consumers for products and services that are considered "green". Smart business owners recognize an opportunity to carve out a niche that differentiates themselves from their competition. Choosing vendors that use energy and other resources in a responsible way can translate into into increased profits through lower costs and increased consumer loyalty and goodwill.
There are many different factors to consider when choosing a colocation provider. A colocation provider with a world-class PUE has demonstrated a forward-thinking approach to future-proofing their business against rising energy prices, regulatory issues, and social responsibility. Such a provider may not have the lowest price, but will ensure that your IT assets continue to operate securely and efficiently - making you money.
Global Communication Networks has sourced, negotiated and project managed colocation and telecommunications projects all over the world. Should you have questions or need assistance on your next project please do not hesitate to contact me here, or via twitter at @SChrisPalermo.
Posted on Mon, Nov 28, 2011 @ 03:38 PM
By Chris Palermo
I was one of the lucky ones to get a few days off over the recent extended Holiday weekend and it gave me some time to really reflect on all the things I should be thankful for in my life. Many of us work so hard to succeed by making quota, finding more clients, taking care of existing customers, along with all the other obligations, that we never take time to reflect on what made us the people we are today and why we should be thankful for all the things in the past that brought us here.
I am thankful for:
My parents - for moving my family out of Brooklyn, NY when I was four years old to give my brothers and me a better life. They taught what it means to work hard and the true value of a dollar.
My brothers - being the oldest I never appreciated them growing up, but as we matured we have become very close. Both of my brothers were "best men" in my wedding. Today we are godparents to each others children and continue to be very tight knit.
My wife - we met when I was 15 years old. We were great friends all the way through college and have now been married 16 years. She is my soul mate.
My three children - I could not be a more thankful, proud and blessed father to have three happy healthy children. Each of them have their own passions and interests that make them true individuals. They all do well in school and still even like to have fun with their parents.
All of the friendships I have made - I can remember all of my friends in childhood, adolescence, high school, college and today in business and pleasure settings. In every season of my life there have always been close friends that helped make me the person I am today. Many of those people are still in my life and some of them are my best friends today.
My health - as the years have gone by I have had my share of broken bones, an ongoing bout with colitis, three degenerative herniated disks in my back and a mountain biking accident that left me paralyzed from the neck down for 45 minutes (I will save that story for another blog post). I still have residual issues from that accident, but I don't let it slow me down. All in all, I still have my health, I can work out every day, run with my kids and really appreciate life.
My business - I started Global Communication Networks nearly 15 years ago. When I first opened, I offered two carrier solutions and I was the only employee. As I added customers, I added employees. 
Some customers required additional solutions that required us to procure more carrier and colocation partnerships. Today we offer solutions from more than 150 carrier and colocation partnerships all over the world. We have a retail and wholesale billing platform, a management team that works with our Global Account Directors and a Project Management Office to facilitate the project workloads of our large enterprise customer projects.
My customers - I have always said that if we lose one customer, part of the company just went out of business. Our customers make GCN what we are today. I am so fortunate to have customers that have been with us since day one. Our goal is to grow and evolve ahead of the industry so we can always offer our customers the very best solutions for their business needs. This year our customer growth was rewarded by our induction into the Inc. 500|5000 list of America's fastest growing companies. We ranked 1,347th overall, as well as being named the 45th fastest growing Telecommunications company in the country.
These are tops on my list, but there are so many other things for which I am thankful that had I included them all, this would look more like an ebook than a blog post. It is a great time of year to sit down and reflect on all the reasons to be thankful - I encourage you to do the same.
Global Communication Networks has sourced, negotiated and project managed colocation and telecommunications projects all over the world. Should you have questions or need assistance on your next project please do not hesitate to contact me here, or via twitter at @SChrisPalermo.
Posted on Thu, Nov 03, 2011 @ 10:24 AM
By Chris Palermo
Last week I received a call from a customer telling me that they are now ready to expand their data center reach into Asia. He wanted my opinion regarding the best location for deployment. I explained that this is a question I get quite frequently and if there were no other factors pushing their company toward any specific country in Asia, I would choose colocation in Singapore for the following reasons:
- The first thing to consider when sourcing colocation in Asia is to understand what countries are prone to natural disasters. The major Asian markets for colocation are Singapore, Hong Kong, China, and Tokyo. Of those four countries, Singapore is the only one that does not sit on an active fault line. We have all heard about the recent devastating earthquake in Japan and, according to the Hong Kong Observatory, "Hong Kong on average records one or two locally-felt earthquakes a year." The Science Museums of China have reported that China, located between two large seismic belts, has recorded over 800 earthquakes with a magnitude of 6 or above since the start of the 20th century.
- How stable is the government in each country? I think Japan's government is ok but the country is in crisis mode financially, in addition to having dealt with the devastation of this year's earthquake. Most of China's significant power lies in the Communist Party of China. Hong Kong's government is financially independent from the Peoples Republic of China. Singapore's government was modeled after the British Parliament, and it has been an independent country for over 25 years.
- Singapore's currency is among the strongest in the world. The following quote was taken from the FinancialTimes.com on October 27, 2011. "The Singapore dollar hovered near all-time highs against the US dollar, albeit ending the day slightly weaker at S$1.35."
- Singapore's economy - "The 2011 World Bank ease of doing business index ranks Singapore as the best Country in the world to do business- ahead of Hong Kong and New Zealand." via EcononmyWatch.com.
- Overall environment - The rumors about Singapore being very clean are all true. The government employs people to walk the streets and make sure there is no overflowing garbage or debris on the streets or sidewalks. First time offenders caught littering small objects such as cigarette buts or tissues will get a S$300 fine. If they are caught littering larger objects such as a soda can, they are be subject to appearing in court with the potential to be sentenced to community service.
- Most of Asia's largest data center companies have invested in building their flagship data centers in Singapore. Over the last three years several new data centers have been built with more on the way.
- Singapore is a country that prides itself on having one of the lowest crime rates in the world. Wikipedia posts the following: In the Corruption Perception Index 2010, Singapore was ranked 1st out of 178 countries for corruption (it is important to note that the least corrupt countries are at the top of the list).
- Excellent mass transit - Singapore has three choices for mass transit: taxis, buses, and the MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) a rail system that will take you within walking distance anywhere around the business areas of Singapore.
- The carrier density and overall telecommunication infrastructure in Singapore today has greatly increased over the last 3 years. As a result, the cost per Meg for IP has been cut by two-thirds and customers that wish to have a burstable GIG or 10G circuit no longer will have to commit to 30% of the circuit as a minimum. Connectivity between buildings has greatly increased, and Singapore now has 4 Internet Exchanges, SGIX, SOX, EMIX and Equinix IX.
- Don't think that all food in Singapore is what you see on the Travel channel, dead, skinned and hanging in the window of the restaurant. There are several places that provide that kind of "unique experience in local quisine," but there are also great restaurants to check out. Some of my favorites are Crystal Jade Palace, Jumbo Seafood Restaurant and OSO Ristorante (yes, Italian!).
Every country has its pros and cons for colocation in Asia. Singapore does have a few cons such as price and reach, but when you weigh the pros against the cons you will see that colocation in Singapore is a great place to start with your data center footprint for Asia.
I would love to share our knowledge about Singapore with you for your next project. Should you have questions about any upcoming project, please don't hesitate to contact me here, or via twitter at @SChrisPalermo.
Posted on Wed, Nov 02, 2011 @ 10:42 AM
By Chris Palermo
Ok, so I'm obviously not really Bruce Lee, may he rest in peace. But you have to admit, the title for this blog is a little more compelling than something like, "CEO Tips for Colocation in Hong Kong."
Sourcing for colocation in Hong Kong can be tricky if you are not sure of the risks that each data center proposes. We at Global Communication Networks have several successful deployments in Hong Kong and have been able to steer clear of all of them without any risk to our clients. Hopefully via this blog you will be able to garner some valuable information that will keep you out of harms way as well.
Sourcing in Hong Kong can indeed be tricky, these are some of the lessons we have learned from our projects there:
Lesson 1… wish list… the first thing we suggest when planning a colocation project is making a checklist of all of the data center requirements that you will expect for your data center (we have developed checklists with criteria ranging from 25 to over 100 data center requirements). An example of some basic requirements that most would take for granted when looking for colocation in Hong Kong is the following: list of on-net carriers in the 
datacenter, cost for caged space versus single rack, peering exchange in the building, whether the data center carrier neutral, the cost of running fiber to pick up necessary carriers for the datacenter, PUE and the weight limit per rack.
Lesson 2… prioritize, but be flexible… there are several colocation facilities in Hong Kong but very few, if any, will fulfill every requirement on your checklist. Mega i Advantage is the largest and one of the oldest carrier neutral facilities in Hong Kong. They have the most on-net carriers in the building and have links to two peering exchanges in the building. The problem with Mega i is that the carriers that own the remaining space are selling their square footage at a premium. Recently we learned from one carrier that we asked to price out a 24 rack cage that they would need to price the cage as the equivalent as 32 individual racks since that would be how many racks they could sell if the cage were not taking up the space. In addition to paying for space equivalent to 8 racks more than they needed, the cost per rack was also much higher than the non Mega i competition.
Lesson 3…get to know the Carrier landscape… Hong Kong is in a growth phase for colocation and Pacnet has been one of the carriers driving the growth with their data landing station (DLS). The DLS is where much of the fiber coming into Hong Kong lands. In addition to Pacnet several other datacenters have build or are in the process of building their data centers around the fiber landing. The problem that we see with this area for now is that there are very little on-net carriers that have made their home in these data centers. Pacnet is on-net in their DLS but few other notable carriers are also on-net. We have learned the the HKIX Peering Exchange will be deploying a node in Pacnet's planned second building located by the DLS but it will be some time before this build is actually completed.
Lesson 4…“remote hands” services vary… another thing to keep in mind when sourcing for colocation in Asia is "remote hands," or lack thereof. Most data centers offer it in some shape or form, but you need to know if their service is an "in house" service, or an outsourced service and the hours that the offer remote hands since it may not be 24/7 and they are 12 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time. In addition, that depth of remote hands service that each data center may offer will be different and you will need to make sure exactly what is included in a service call since a regular server swap may not be included.
Lesson 5…obstacles when shipping equipment… finally, when planning global colocation one of the questions you need to ask yourself is do you want the data center to provide the racks, or do you want to ship your own? If you decide to ship your own keep in mind that getting your equipment through customs in Asia, parts of Europe, or South America can be tricky and you need to be ready for the obstacles that may present themselves along the way.
Global Communication Networks has sourced, negotiated and project managed colocation in Hong Kong and all over the world. Should you have questions or need assistance on your next project please do not hesitate to contact me here, or via twitter at @SChrisPalermo.