Collocation, in this context, means to have a separate trading server located in a secure, high quality, high stability environment. The server runs the trading software, and initiates the trades. Your home computer is connected to your trading server across the network by a VPN, for example. You are able to see and control the trading server as long as you have network access. When your local Internet has problems, your view of the trading server freezes. When the Internet is restored, your view is again synchronized with your trading server, and you continue trading. Since many platforms implement, OCO orders and/or stops in the client software, it is excessively dangerous to use such platforms on an ephemeral home connection.