London Thames Gateway – the perfect location for data centres
Information technology is integral to the modern world and the use of digital content has increased at a prolific rate for businesses and consumers for whom making free calls, watching videos and live television via the internet, is now commonplace. This mass of information all has to be stored somewhere so owning and maintaining a data centre is an essential part of an IT led company's business strategy. Furthermore, as market penetration of these services increase and as the speeds they can be downloaded in hasten, the volume of data that needs to be stored will increase.
Data centres have special heating and cooling requirements because servers need to stay cold. To ensure reliable operation and the longest possible life from components, temperatures in data centres must stay within certain limits. Network failure can be very costly and server and computer equipment repairs and replacements can run into many hundreds, or even thousands of pounds. A huge power supply and a back-up generator are not only essential for this, but the sheer weight of the machines storing the data means they also need reinforced floors.
Few properties meet these requirements however, at the end of 2008, data centre and connectivity expert, Telehouse Europe who serves over 700 customers worldwide, sealed a deal to transform a space on their East India Quay site into a state-of-the-art data centre, creating nine jobs initially, with more expected within two years.
As with data centre and online media company Axill Europe, Gateway to London and Think London provided Telehouse Europe with essential support in making introductions and lobbying, streamlining the property development process.
John Williams, Chief Executive, Gateway to London, said: "Data centres are hard to find and London Thames Gateway is one of a handful of UK locations offering suitable high quality premises.
He continued "Businesses requiring reliability and speed with their internet and data hosting services have an advantage if they locate in London Thames Gateway, because London is one of the best wired cities globally and it is home to the London Internet Exchange (LINX). This carries over 96 per cent of the UK's internet traffic."
London Thames Gateway data centres also benefit from proximity to customers and the fastest growing transport infrastructure in Europe. Telehouse Europe joins Axill Europe, Global Switch and TeleCity in choosing London Thames Gateway as the best location for their data centre - a location that has the foundations to set the economic and technological pace for Europe.
