The Open Cloud Exchange: Our Solution Architects Connect the Right Hybrid IT Dots

Digital transformation takes businesses down many roads, but nearly all lead to hybrid IT. As you evaluate the optimal approach to achieving your desired business outcomes, consult with IT and data center experts like the CoreSite solution architects (SAs). They are cross-functional leaders who provide strategic, technical and financial perspectives on integrating our data center services to optimize interconnection, hybrid cloud, multicloud, networks, storage and disaster recovery. Engage them early in your evaluation process, so they can add value in four important areas. 

No. 1. Make Your Tech Stack a Competitive Differentiator

The pace of change in IT is spectacular. No one really knows the future. But your tech stack can be a competitive differentiator – if it enables agility and flexibility, which depend on well-executed strategies. A well-designed hybrid IT solution increases the likelihood you can successfully execute your business strategy while addressing new market opportunities. For example, network-dense colocation hubs that are integrated with industry-leading connectivity platforms simplify and accelerate your expansion. They also enable going into another region or to the opposite coast by provisioning and managing virtual connections through the Open Cloud Exchange® portal. 

No. 2. Connect the Right Hybrid IT Dots

Our SAs guide organizations through the evaluation and implementation of complete data center solutions. Typically, they work with an organization throughout their lifecycle – as thought leaders and advisors who know your situation, follow you and stay involved – but they also can meet you wherever you are in the process.

How did our SAs grow into the role? Here are a couple of examples. One spent 20 years in IT operations and service delivery, then moved into product management, then into sales. Another started his career in engineering, focusing on power systems, design and environments – then became a regional general manager who oversaw go-to-market plans and data center assets. 

Collectively the team has more than 50 years of experience in data centers, IT strategy, operations and cloud networking. They bridge enterprise engineering, product management and business unit leaders – evaluating the pros and cons of connecting hybrid IT dots in different ways. 

No. 3. Assess Risk in Light of ROI and TCO 

At the end of the day, many IT leaders realize that their teams do a great job within their own network. But their comfort zone probably isn’t connecting corporate and private networks to other networks and services that involve colocation, an exchange platform, intermarket connectivity and cloud connectivity. Our solution architects understand the big picture. They present technical options along with risk assessment and financial modeling that give you alternative scenarios for achieving your business objectives.

Not everyone thinks about risk the way we do. It’s not only about downtime but also business disruption, loss of revenue and brand protection. We look at financial, competitive and technical risk to be sure you have all the information you need to make a decision. 

The financial aspects of data center decisions aren’t always easy to pin down. We build models to project the return on investment (ROI) and total cost of ownership (TCO) of various approaches and components. The numbers help you evaluate the cost of your “best fit” solution against the desired outcomes. For example, right now wide area network (WAN) modernization offers opportunities for organizations to shift out of legacy WAN into modern, flexible networks. We can model this shift financially and show you where to save, how to improve ROI and map the numbers to business agility. 

No. 4. Collect the Evidence, Follow the Data

If I were to sum up the solutions architectures' approach to working with our customers, it is “evidence-based and data-driven.” We’re upfront about this, and we stick to it because it’s a best practice for consistency and discipline. 

Our customers appreciate our approach. Their feedback aligns with the most important SA skills, knowledge and experience:

• Understanding the business objectives that drive digital experience
• Integrative sense of business
• Technical knowledge
• Cross-functional communication and collaboration
• Translating requirements into specific deliverables
• Mapping technology to business value
• Developing plans to achieve desired outcomes

Start a Conversation?

Ask your CoreSite sales representative to arrange an introduction to the SA team. And, watch for another blog that highlights our solution architects in action through customer stories.

You also can learn more by reading hybrid cloud and multicloud deployment tips that can increase flexibility and agility.