Data centers in Tampa: What you need to know

Selecting the ideal location for a data center is a critical decision that hinges on several key factors. The location of the site in relation to important connectivity hubs and its availability of dependable, fast internet is crucial for guaranteeing optimal performance and low latency. Economic considerations, including the cost of electricity, the availability of renewable energy options, and local labor expenses, are key to the long-term economic viability of the data center, and the presence of a skilled IT workforce in the vicinity is beneficial for efficient staffing and ongoing maintenance of the facility.

The assessment of geographical stability is also crucial. To ensure the long-term viability and reliability of the data center, it is necessary to consider potential risks such as the frequency and impact of natural disasters, the area's resilience in recovering from such events, the severity of the local climate, and the political stability of the region.

A careful examination of these aspects is pivotal in selecting a location that not only satisfies immediate data center requirements but also accommodates future expansion and scalability needs. Today, we’ll look at why data centers in Tampa, Florida, fit the bill and walk you through everything you need to know about them.

Why are data centers important to Tampa, Florida?

Florida's goal of being a thriving, business-friendly state depends on Tampa's data centers. These facilities are essential to the growth of a diverse business ecosystem because they serve a range of companies, from well-established multinationals to start-ups, by offering vital technology services like cloud computing and big data analytics. 

Tampa's advantageous location close to Latin America further strengthens its position in worldwide connection, making its data centers essential for companies doing business internationally and providing services. For Florida to fulfill its goal of acting as a commercial link between the American and Latin American markets, this connectivity is necessary. These data centers benefit from Florida's multilingual workforce, which is instrumental in managing these facilities and offering tailored IT services to a diverse, global clientele.

In-depth look at Tampa data centers

Tampa, Florida, is establishing itself as a major player in the digital infrastructure market by implementing state-of-the-art technologies into its data centers. Here's a glimpse into the technological innovations that define Tampa's data centers:

Advanced cooling systems: To tackle the challenges of Florida's warm climate, Tampa's data centers are employing advanced cooling technologies. These include liquid cooling, environmentally friendly chillers, and in-row cooling systems, which are more energy-efficient and effective in managing high-density computing environments.

Green energy initiatives: Emphasizing sustainability, many data centers in Tampa are integrating green energy sources. Solar power installations and partnerships with renewable energy providers are becoming more common, reducing the carbon footprint of these facilities.

High-speed connectivity: Tampa’s data centers boast high-speed fiber optic connectivity, ensuring ultra-fast data transmission rates. This is crucial for businesses requiring real-time data processing and for supporting cloud-based operations.

Enhanced security measures: In response to increasing cyber threats, data centers in Tampa are ramping up their security protocols. This includes advanced firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and rigorous physical security measures like biometric access controls and 24/7 surveillance.

Disaster recovery and redundancy: Given Florida’s susceptibility to natural disasters, data centers in Tampa are designed with robust disaster recovery and redundancy systems. This includes multiple power sources, backup generators, and data backup solutions to ensure continuity of services.

Different types of data centers available in the area

Tampa, Florida, hosts a variety of data centers, each catering to different needs and specifications. Here's a breakdown of the different types of data centers you can find in Tampa:

Colocation data centers: Colocation data centers are perhaps the most common in Tampa, providing space, power, cooling, and physical security for the server, storage, and networking equipment of other firms and connecting them to a variety of telecommunications and network service providers. This setup is ideal for businesses that want to manage their own IT hardware but don’t want the expense of building and maintaining their own data center facility.

Enterprise data centers: In Tampa, several large corporations have been building their own enterprise data centers to handle their vast data needs. These data centers are typically built to suit the specific needs of the company and are maintained by their IT staff.

Managed services data centers: Managed services data centers in Tampa provide a hybrid solution, bridging the gap between colocation services and enterprise setups. They offer not only the essential infrastructure but also handle the complete management and upkeep of the data center operations.

Cloud data centers: These centers are purpose-built to facilitate cloud services, offering adaptable resources that scale based on fluctuating demands. Operated by cloud service providers, they provide a flexible, pay-as-you-go approach to IT resources.

Edge data centers: These smaller-scale facilities, situated closer to network peripheries, aim to reduce latency by delivering content and services more rapidly to end-users. They are crucial for applications requiring swift response times, like IoT, streaming content, and other low-latency necessities.

Why choose a data center and colocation provider in Tampa, Florida?

Opting for a data center and colocation provider in Tampa, Florida, brings numerous advantages, including improved network performance, dependability, greater accessibility, cost efficiency, expandability, and adaptability.

Enhanced network reliability

Data centers in Tampa are renowned for their outstanding network dependability, a vital aspect for businesses requiring continuous online activity and rapid data processing. These centers boast advanced infrastructure, such as backup power systems and fast internet connections, guaranteeing minimal disruptions. This provides businesses with the assurance that their essential data and IT functions are operating in a secure and reliable setting.

Accessibility

Tampa's advantageous geographical position provides not just superior network reliability but also easy access, an important feature for businesses needing frequent direct contact with their IT systems. Positioned near key transport routes, data centers in Tampa are well-located and easily reachable for both local and regional companies.

Cost-effectiveness

The region's favorable economic climate, characterized by lower real estate costs and the absence of state income tax, translates into more affordable data center services. This cost advantage is crucial for businesses looking to optimize their IT spending.

Scalability and flexibility

Tampa’s data centers are designed to accommodate the growing needs of businesses, allowing for easy scaling of IT infrastructure. Whether a company needs to ramp up its server capacity, expand storage, or upgrade its network capabilities, Tampa's data centers offer the flexibility to do so without major disruptions.

How to choose a Tampa Data Center and colocation provider

There are five important factors to take into account when choosing a data center provider in Tampa, Florida, to make sure the facility fits the operational and strategic goals of your company.

Key factors to consider

Network connectivity and redundancy

Look for a facility with robust network infrastructure that includes multiple high-speed internet connections and redundancy to ensure uninterrupted service, crucial in maintaining business continuity and supporting cloud-based operations. A data center with diverse connectivity options also offers more flexibility in choosing ISPs and network services.

Power reliability

In a region like Tampa, which can be prone to storms and power outages, it's essential to choose a data center with redundant power sources, backup generators, and UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) systems. This ensures that your critical systems remain operational, even in the event of a local power failure.

Security measures

Security, both physical and cyber, should be a top priority. A secure data center should have comprehensive physical security measures such as 24/7 surveillance and secure entry points. Additionally, the data center should have strong cybersecurity protocols, including advanced firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and regular security audits to protect against digital threats.

Disaster recovery capabilities

Given Tampa's location is in a hurricane-prone area, it's essential to assess the data center's disaster recovery and business continuity capabilities. This includes not only the physical resilience of the facility but also the availability of disaster recovery services such as data backup and failover systems.

Flexential Tampa Data Centers

Over the last 17 years, Flexential has honed its disaster preparedness protocol to protect and support the mission-critical systems and data of customers and their end users in the event of a disaster. We take our role in Florida’s local business economy seriously, having built Category 5 hurricane-resistant data centers in North Tampa and West Tampa. Compliance-wise, the centers meet multiple standards, including PCI DSS, making them suitable for data-sensitive organizations, and they uphold stringent security measures, including four-zone access, biometric scanners, and continuous monitoring.

Flexential data center in North Tampa, Florida

The Flexential North Tampa data center, a state-of-the-art, two-story facility covering over 60,000 square feet with room for expansion, is designed for resilience and robust performance. It features a 2N UPS system and N+1 cooling redundancy, ensuring uninterrupted operation and efficient cooling. The data center also boasts a 3 MW critical load UPS capacity, 150 W/SF power density, and a 1.6 PUE rating for energy efficiency, along with a 100% power SLA.

Flexential data center in West Tampa, Florida

The Flexential West Tampa data center, spanning 31,600 square feet, is renowned for its reliability, top-tier security, and dedicated expert service. It features N+1 power and cooling redundancy, robust power infrastructure with a 1.81 MW critical load UPS capacity, and a power density of 150 W/SF, achieving a 1.6 PUE rating for energy efficiency.

Our data centers boast a 100Gbps redundant network backbone, with physically redundant access, an MPLS overlay for flexible transport, and a variety of IP bandwidth and transit services. It also provides virtual connections to major public clouds through its Cloud Fabric platform, ensuring robust and versatile connectivity options for its clients. Serving Florida’s high-tech corridor, our Tampa data centers offer secure connectivity, colocation, cloud, and data protection backed by industry-leading performance to support the region’s prospering business communities.

To learn more, schedule a consultation or reach out to book a Tampa data center site tour with one of our experts.