Did you know that more and more business data is being stored in the cloud?

With the change in working conditions last year, working from home has become more popular, and many companies have decided to make a permanent switch to the cloud. The demand for cloud storage has increased, and the need for physical data centers has decreased.

Numerous data centers have been decommissioned over the last twelve months, and this trend will likely continue for the foreseeable future. In fact, the data suggests that 90% of businesses will slide away from on-premise data centers in the next two years.

Naturally, decommissioning a data center requires a lot of work, and there are many considerations. At DataKnox, we provide a data center decommissioning service that will help you transition with ease.

Here is a list of the top questions you should ask when your data center is being decommissioned:

How will you conduct site surveys?

Will your service provider conduct site surveys at your physical location or virtually? Ideally, you want a combination of both options, meaning you should be able to pick the one that suits you best.

In the current climate, many companies may not prefer in-person surveys. So, having a provider that can conduct them virtually would be highly beneficial.

How will you destroy old equipment?

Will there be on-site shredders to destroy paper or files at the center as needed? Or will they be taken back to a secure location to be destroyed there?

Don’t forget to ask how any old equipment or digital files would be destroyed. Your data center decommissioning provider should be able to remove any unwanted data safely and securely from your devices before destroying them.

You might also have the need to clean some of your equipment, i.e., wipe any remaining data from it, especially if you intend to sell it to another company. So, make sure that your service provider can clean the old equipment thoroughly. Remember to check whether they would do it on- or off-site. At DataKnox, we can clean your equipment on-site if necessary, though we also offer an off-site option if you'd prefer us to get it out of the way.

Can you repurpose any old equipment?

One of the key benefits of using a decommissioning service is that you can get money back from your data center. Your provider should be able to repurpose old equipment by selling it to those that need it. At DataKnox, we have a large network that helps remarket your old equipment and maximize its value.

Most data centers aren't being decommissioned because the equipment no longer works. In most cases, it's simply because cloud data storage seems like a more convenient and cost-effective option. Destroying or throwing away all the equipment would be a waste, so you need to know that your service provider can help you find buyers and help you gain money back from the process.

Ask also about recycling: do they recycle old equipment that can't be sold? How would they go about it? Ideally, you want to work with a data center decommissioning provider that has a good recycling policy.

What insurance do you carry?

While this isn’t a technical aspect of the data center decommissioning process, it is vital: you need to be sure that your provider carries the right insurance. This could include:

• Commercial and general liability
• Umbrella coverage
• Pollution insurance
• Cyber insurance

Insurance protects your provider if something goes wrong, but it also protects you! If an accident happens while they're working, their insurance would cover it, and you wouldn’t have to worry about it.

How many jobs have you completed?

At the end of the day, finding the right data center decommissioning provider has a lot to do with experience. When you are evaluating potential providers, ask them - how many jobs have they been on before? Ask them for their credentials so that you feel confident you're making the right decision.

If you're looking for a data center decommissioning provider that ticks all the right boxes, feel free to give DataKnox a call. We've successfully completed hundreds of projects, providing technicians that are more than comfortable dealing with all types of facilities. If you'd like to learn more, get in touch!