SIRE are award-winning specialists in tailored cloud solutions. Since 1993, they have been providing businesses with enterprise IT solutions through a combination of hardware, software, consultancy and support.
SIRE Technology have experience working with a number of data centres over the years. They operate a multi-tenant cloud which they and their customers use to build virtual solutions and chose Redcentric to host their cloud infrastructure.
We caught up with Russell Cook, Managing Director at SIRE Technology, to hear his first-hand experiences of working with Redcentric to host SIRE’s new cloud infrastructure.
We have been hosting since 1997 and have seen many data centres emerge and change over time. We have always taken complete racks, and never colocated in anything smaller due to security and having more control. Up to now, we have populated several data centres around the UK and moved out of two.
SIRE has always specialised in protecting data. Today, we operate a multitenant cloud that we and our customers use to build virtual solutions. What we don’t do is provide power, cooling and internet connectivity – this is where we rely on data centres who are specialists in this area.
SIRE required a new data centre to provide our third iteration cloud infrastructure. When visiting several data centres in the UK, we found that Redcentric offered everything we required. By using IBM technology in our solution, we were able to minimise our own carbon footprint, aligning our ethos with Redcentric’s.
I have seen many data centres and Redcentric showed an attention to detail which SIRE could see in the infrastructure. When our engineers have been on-site, the Redcentric staff have always been very helpful, while also being able to provide any tools and accessories when required. This level of support has made a significant difference to our business operations.
Initially we built a new cloud infrastructure, so we had plenty of testing and checks before any clients were migrated and taken live. We did lift and shift a client who was “in a flood area” at their old location, fortunately long before the rain at the beginning of the year.
1. Draw up a list of possible providers
2. Do your research about their unique selling points
3. Work out what is important to you, e.g. accreditations
4. Ask questions, ask to see the certificates for accreditations
5. Visit the data centres
6. Meet the data centre’s team to work out if the site offers the right level of security for you
7. Be clear about the levels of support offered and make sure you are comfortable with the technical staff’s ability to help with your systems
