A Canadian organization that provides services to car drivers is changing its data center strategy from running a combination of internal and external data centers to using space at a colocation provider's data center.

Canada Automobile Association South Central Ontario will get rid of its existing infrastructure that consists of four data centers (two internal and two external) and install its IT assets in a colocation facility operated by Q9. Another Q9 facility will host CAA SCO's disaster recovery infrastructure for failover.

According to a Q9 statement, CAA SCO is expecting the new strategy to reduce cost and increase power efficiency of its IT assets.

"Q9 sells its co-location services based on a power reservation model that gives us an incentive to understand and closely manage the power draw of our IT assets," CAA SCO Chief Operating Officer Jay Woo said in a statement. "Q9's customer portal gives us the tools to do so by providing real-time insight into our power utilization.

"The model helps us reduce power usage and cost while upholding our commitment to energy efficiency as a socially responsible organization."

CAA SCO provides services to about 1.8 million members, including roadside assistance, travel services and auto insurance.

Q9 recently opened a new data center in Canada's Calgary region. Availability of the facility - the company's third and largest in the market - was announced in October. Q9 invested about $50 million in the first phase of its new facility.

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