CoreXchange: Colo Online Ordering Has Been a Boon For Us

A look at the three 1.5 MW generators supporting the new CoreXchange data center in Dallas.

Offering online ordering for colocation has helped CoreXchange expand its customer base to include clients in more than 23 countries and 41 states, as well as greatly shortening its sales cycle. The company launched online ordering for colocation 3 years ago and has since filled more than 1,300 orders online, both from new customers and existing ones looking for an easy way to upgrade existing space.

“It turns out that only 20 percent of our customer base is actually within the region due to instant pricing and affordable rates,  ease of ordering online, local around-the-clock support, positive reviews -- without sacrificing performance,” said Julia Morgan, Founder and President, CoreXchange. The diversity of its customer base is impressive, given that CoreXchange’s space is located completely in Dallas, Texas.

CyrusOne recently brought its flavor of online ordering to the marketplace. CoreXchange's experience is proof that online ordering can work for colocation. The company says that, in addition to month to month, it allows customers to sign longer term annual, or multi-annual contracts, and that customers like the security of a longer term to secure the rate.

CoreXchange was founded seven years ago by industry veterans from The Planet, Rackspace, NTT/Verio and Exodus Communications. One of those veterans was Peter Pathos from The Planet, which was acquired by GI Partners and merged with SoftLayer. The Planet, which was known for dedicated hosting by the time of its acquisition, was actually started as a colocation company. CoreXchange rose out of those foundations as The Planet moved away from colo, borrowing some of the online ordering mojo that has worked so well in the dedicated server industry.

Orders can be customized by upgrading from the bundled offerings. The company also offers unmetered bandwidth options, and up to 10 Gig capacity is available with a customer quote.

“There are so many complexities present with ordering colocation solutions that you might expect it to be impossible to offer customizable online ordering, but it is very possible and we’ve been doing so seamlessly for over three years,” said Morgan.

CoreXchange raised funding in 2011 to enhance its data center infrastructure in its two colocation facilities at the Dallas Infomart and The Connection at 8600 Harry Hines.