CLOUD & HOSTING
How the partnership with Datacenter United is transforming Office-IT's hosting services
At Office-IT, hosting and cloud services form a strategic pillar of our service offering. To strengthen our growing service portfolio, we have recently partnered with Datacenter United, a company renowned for its infrastructure, technology, and expertise. In an exclusive interview, our Chief Sales Officer, Kurt Liekens, explains why this partnership is so essential and how it contributes to our mission of delivering the best solutions to our clients. Discover more about the benefits of this collaboration and the future-oriented choices we are making together.
Curious about what our partnership with Datacenter United can do for your business? Discover how our secure and sustainable hosting solutions can future-proof your IT infrastructure.
Why Office-IT opts for external hosting
With offices spread across the province of Antwerp, Office-IT has established itself as a trusted strategic partner. Many businesses seek to outsource their IT management to a partner who fully understands their operational needs and offers the right infrastructure and services to support their business goals. Increasingly, they choose cloud-based solutions or other forms of datacenter hosting to enhance and secure their operations. Initially, Office-IT relied on its own datacenter to meet these needs. However, as their client base grew and security and technological demands increased, it became inevitable to look for an external solution. This search quickly led them to Datacenter United.
ISO 27001 and Tier 4: safety and security excellence
The rising demand for security and certifications, such as ISO 27001, made it clear to Office-IT that managing their own datacenter was no longer sufficient. This led to the decision to find an external partner. From their very first visit to Datacenter United, they knew they had found the right fit.
“The strict access control immediately gave us the impression that our data would be even more secure here than at our own locations. The tour, which included access to the Tier 4 section, only strengthened our confidence,” says Kurt Liekens, Chief Sales Officer at Office-IT.
The Tier 4 facility in Belgium, featuring full redundancy in power and connectivity, was a key factor in their decision to choose Datacenter United. Kurt adds:
“We were especially impressed by the 24/7 access policy, where badge access is combined with an additional MFA verification via mobile phone. This extra security layer gives us the assurance that our data is always optimally protected.”
Said Warnier, CCO of Datacenter United, emphasizes:
“As we continue to prioritize security and compliance, Datacenter United is committed to staying ahead of the curve by pursuing the latest certifications and adhering to new EU regulations. Achieving standards like ISO 27001 and maintaining our Tier 4 status exemplifies our dedication to safety and security excellence. These certifications are not just badges of honor; they are crucial for ensuring that our clients, like Office-IT, can rely on us for unparalleled data protection. By choosing Datacenter United, companies can avoid the significant burden of managing these certifications internally, allowing them to focus on their core business with peace of mind.”
Shared sense of aftercare and urgency
“At Office-IT, good aftercare and quick response times are crucial. It’s reassuring to know that Datacenter United shares these values and consistently delivers,” says Kurt Liekens.
“This partnership ensures that both large projects and smaller operational requests are handled with the same level of urgency and professionalism.”
Kurt shares a specific example of Datacenter United’s outstanding support:
“During a critical project with a tight deadline, the Datacenter United team worked proactively and efficiently. Thanks to their expertise, we met the deadline without compromising the quality of our work.”
Sustainability: Innovation and environmental responsibility in harmony
Sustainability is a key focus for Office-IT. Their headquarters in Olen is nearly energy-neutral, with investments made in a more sustainable vehicle fleet, expanded charging infrastructure at their Olen and Mortsel offices, and even home chargers financed for employees with electric vehicles.
Kurt recognizes a similar ambition at Datacenter United:
“Their sustainable approach, with green energy sources, advanced cooling systems, and responsible water management, shows that technological progress and environmental awareness can go hand in hand.”
Said Warnier adds:
“As we continue to lead in security and compliance, Datacenter United is equally committed to sustainability, aiming for Ecovadis Gold by 2025. Our dedication to reducing our ecological footprint is evident in our innovative technologies, such as Direct Liquid Cooling (DLC) and Immersive Cooling initiatives, which enhance energy efficiency. We prioritize heat distribution networks and Internet Exchange (IX) strategies to minimize unnecessary internet traffic, further supporting our ecological goals. These efforts, combined with our green energy initiatives and responsible resource management, reflect our belief that technological advancement and environmental responsibility go hand in hand. Clients like Office-IT recognize this commitment, seeing us as the ideal partner for both secure and sustainable data center solutions.”
Technology and expertise combined guarantee optimal solutions
The partnership with Datacenter United enables Office-IT to provide their clients with the best possible solutions, explains Kurt Liekens:
“Our datacenter services are future-proof and strategically positioned to offer long-term solutions. Datacenter United provides us not only with advanced technologies and infrastructure but also with in-depth expertise. This helps us immensely in meeting the diverse and complex needs of our clients.”
Kurt illustrates this with a concrete example:
“For an important project, Datacenter United assisted us in negotiations with a telecom provider to secure a shorter lead time for a data line. Their collaboration and negotiation skills allowed us to meet tight deadlines and provide our client with a seamless transition.”
According to Liekens, Datacenter United’s deep expertise and cutting-edge technology are their greatest strengths:
“This partnership allows us to offer our clients reliable and future-proof datacenter solutions. But their contribution goes beyond technical support; they also assist us with strategic planning and coordination. This is crucial for the successful execution of complex projects, such as datacenter migrations.
We also greatly value their open and transparent communication, which aligns perfectly with our company culture. Additionally, their flexibility in offering tailored solutions, rather than a ‘one size fits all’ approach, sets them apart from other providers. Datacenter United consistently demonstrates that they understand what our clients need.”
Datacenter United: higly recommended
When asked whether he would recommend Datacenter United, Kurt Liekens responds without hesitation:
“They are our preferred partner for several reasons. Datacenter United offers state-of-the-art solutions that elevate our services to the next level at highly competitive costs. Their technologies are not only reliable but also forward-thinking, giving us confidence in the continuity and security of our data.”
He continues:
“Additionally, their ability to negotiate effectively with telecom providers has helped us meet tight deadlines—an essential factor in the successful completion of our projects. And perhaps most importantly, the Datacenter United team is always ready to support us. Their dedication to customer satisfaction and their technical expertise make them an invaluable partner.”
Said Warnier concludes:
“We are proud to partner with Office-IT and grateful for the trust they place in us. At Datacenter United, we strive to deliver exceptional service and innovative solutions that empower our clients to achieve their goals. We look forward to continuing our successful collaboration with Office-IT and supporting their growth with our future-proof technologies and unwavering commitment to excellence—a core value that is always part of our DNA.”
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“We were convinced that Office-IT could give us peace of mind on the IT front. The combination of a personal approach and a central location immediately pleaded in their favour.”
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