Tag Archive for: The Cloud

Is a Hybrid Server Solution Right for You?

Do you already use cloud servers? Chances are that the answer is yes, whether it’s for personal, small business, or enterprise use.

Cloud Computing (or Cloud Solutions) is what happens when any data or processes required to run your business are not stored on-site at your office location, but rather are stored in “The Cloud”, or in other words, across the internet in a data center.

This can include your data (files), email, website, and database servers. This technology allows you to access services and data from different locations. It’s the technology that houses your Gmail, your Dropbox, or other shared storage services.

Like any technology solution, there are pros and cons to using cloud servers. And whether you choose to use them is entirely up to your unique demands. There is even a hybrid solution that may just be the perfect solution to your business needs.

Here at Info-Tech, we partner with many established cloud solutions providers and offer a wide range of solutions from the very basic to fully co-located hosted solutions for your data and apps. In other words, we offer tailored cloud solutions.

Every business has technology and data management needs; they differ slightly depending on the type of business and its size, but the needs are generally the same. We take your specifics and implement existing ‘tested’ solutions to create a tailored ‘hybrid’ server solution that best fits your business. Custom-crafted for you, within your budget, and can be modified any time.

We can prepare a storage solution that is clear, simple, and easy to understand and implement on a budget in the time frame desired.

If your old server is bringing you down, what are your options? Here are some options to consider, but before making a final decision we recommend a consultation with one of our Virtual CIOs who will likely recommend an assessment.

On-Premises Servers (think old school)

On-premises servers mean your company’s server is hosted within your organization’s infrastructure and, in many cases, physically onsite. You are responsible for backup, updates, and security. This option leaves you in charge, but extra storage needs mean you’ll have to pay to upgrade. You should also have an excellent backup plan in place (offline and separate).

This solution could be all your company needs.

Cloud Servers

Your data is housed off-site, in the cloud. This allows you to access all your company data from any device, in any location. Great for dispersed or remote workers. You will never have to worry about replacing or updating server hardware, but you may have to pay more to store more, scaling your capacity according to your needs.

Back-ups should happen regularly and if you go with a reputable service provider, your data should be well protected!

Hybrid Server Solutions

A hybrid server solution is a mix of both. You can store the info that you need to access from anywhere on the cloud and house other data with an on-premises server – fitting both your budget and storage needs.

Get in touch and our team will walk you through your options!

The Truth About The Cloud and Cloud Solutions

It seems no matter where you look or who you talk to these days, the ‘cloud’ is being pushed as the next big thing in the I.T. world; you either get in the cloud, or you get left behind. Although the I.T. industry and its experts are pushing cloud solutions, it’s not necessarily the best option for every business. With the Microsoft Windows 2008 server operating system coming to the end of its life, now is a critical time to make the decision to either upgrade or look into a virtual solution.

So how do you decide: to cloud, or not to cloud? We’ll break it all down for you so you can make the best decision for your company.

What is the Cloud and Cloud Solutions, anyway?

Put simply, cloud computing or cloud solutions is when your data is stored in a datacenter on the internet instead of your local computer’s hard-drive, or in the case of most businesses, those servers you have hiding in a back room. The cloud, then, is really just another name for datacenters on the internet.

Services like your Apple iCloud, Gmail or Office 365 accounts, are all examples of data stored in the cloud.

Is There a Benefit to Being in The Cloud?

If you read the latest headlines, the pros of being in the cloud are high in number, but it is important to take these with a grain of salt. Popular arguments for cloud solutions include:

  • Access from anywhere
  • Security
  • 99.99% Up-Time

In reality, the main perk of cloud solutions from this list is the high percentage of up-time. Access from anywhere to onsite, server-based solutions has become much easier to implement, and the reality is your data can get hacked, encrypted, and generally compromised, from anywhere – including Microsoft, Apple, or Google’s servers. When you consider the amount of people using their services and the fact that it has to be easily accessible to the general population, it is easy to argue that, in fact, the cloud may be even less secure than your own servers that are physically stored on your own premises and with your own unique security protocol.

We currently have a Windows 2008 Server. How Do I Know If my Business Should Make the Switch?

The questions you need to ask yourself and what we would ask you is:

  1. What are the reasons you would consider the cloud?
  2. What are your current server pain points?
  3. What does that server currently do? Is there a database on it? Can that software be cloud based?
  4. How much data is on that server? How mission critical is that data to day-to-day operations?
  5. What is your budget? Per month, per year, for the next three years?

Each company will have different answers to these questions, so it is very important to go over each of these points with qualified IT specialists that understand the nuances of each item, pros and cons, and the costs associated to both cloud and on-premises choices.

Every business is unique and there are some situations where a virtual solution may in fact be the best option for your company. Give us a call at 514-634-4636, and we’ll walk you through all of your options (in plain language!) so you can make an educated decision on the right solution for you – whether that’s the cloud, or an on-premises server. Regardless, we’re here to help you better understand your I.T. needs and get the most out of your set-up.

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