Did
you know that you can have all of the business benefits of a server,
without physically owning a server? These benefits include a common storage
location for shared information, email and calendaring features and remote
access, to name a few. However servers are often thought of as an expensive
initial purchase, requiring ongoing maintenance and future upgrades.
If your business is seasonal you may find that your technology needs
also peak and drop with demand, yet you have to allow for those peak
demand times.
In most cases, a server is not running at its full capacity
100% of the time. Technology companies are taking advantage
of this fact by letting businesses share servers. This
is now made possible by a couple of key factors: ‘virtualization’ of
software (which enables multiple software systems to run
on one physical box) and high-speed internet access. ‘Farms’ of
high performing servers can be created that you can access
when you need them … and only pay for that access
when you need it.
Servers are located in specialized ‘data centers’ which
are designed to house multiple computer systems. The location
of the center is irrelevant, as you access it via your high
speed internet connection. The term ‘cloud computing’ has
been coined, referring to the fact that in a computer network
diagram, the internet is represented as a cloud shape. This
kind of ‘on demand’ access has also given rise
to terms like ‘Software as a Service’. This refers
to your ability to pay for accessing software during the
time period that you need it, for the number of staff you
need it for at that time - instead of needing to purchase
a license outright.
This centralized storage and processing capability is great
if you have multiple locations that need to easily share
information (e.g. use the same database), without you needing
to build your own server infrastructure. If you grow your
operations, you’re not faced with having to add additional
server hardware. Your ‘server’ also benefits
from the data center’s other features such as power
redundancy, backup and recovery strategy and systems monitoring
and management. Often this underlying management is included
as part of your access fee.
The downside to not having your server at your location is
that your internet connection becomes critical, as it’s
your only access link to your information. Consider channeling
some of your cost savings towards paying for a business-grade
and some redundancy (such as a second internet line or
backup cellular internet access).
Call
ITensure today to
see if your
business would benefit from having its server in the cloud.
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