One of the aspects of life that has been turned on its head with the advent of convenience orientated technological development is work. Now, many people need only work from home, and while high powered executives consumed by emailing and composing documents were once chief benefactors, it now includes the computer support specialist who can diagnose problems without even looking at a server.

The growth of remote computer support has been remarkably quick, though much of that has to do with the development of relevant technologies enabling aspects of the job, like diagnostics, to be carried out from distance. Indeed, remote support has now become a feature of the services, both basic and advanced, of IT support companies.

But this growth is not simply down to the convenience that technicians now have of not having to go the site of the problem. The remote option is also a huge advantage to their clients, the hiring company whose IT systems are in need of attention. There are two principal areas where remote servicing is of particular advantage, namely in the speed of response and in costs.

By having a technician look at aspects of a computer and internet system remotely, it dramatically reduces the reaction time to any problem. What once would have caused a rush to the site, involving perhaps an hour travelling through traffic and the whole process of getting to the actual server, now causes only a press of a button and the typing of code on a laptop. The result is a far more immediate service, taking less than a minute.

Not every problem can be solved remotely, but the technician can, at least, find out what is wrong before making the journey to the site, and attend to what can be done straight away. For the technician, it means that the hassles of travelling for a minor problem, and the hours lost in providing service to other clients, are gone. For the hiring company, it means that problems are tended to as quickly as possible, and diagnostics can be run at any time and from anywhere. All of this adds to their sense of security that everything is in good hands.

The second advantage lies in costs, and while that might seem to favour the client more than the technician, it does benefit both. True, the client does not have to pay as much, but this is only if the contract signed establishes payment on an hourly basis. For any contract establishing payment on a fixed monthly basis, there is no difference at all.

From the point of view of the technician, though it may seem that in hourly terms they lose money, the fact is that a faster response time leads to a faster completion of the task, which in turn leads to more time to serve other clients. Even if there are few, or even no, other clients to serve, the reputation of the technician for speed of service will benefit them in the long run.

However, the old adage that too much of a good thing makes it bad is also true here. No business wants to invest care of its IT systems into the hands of a faceless technician, regardless of how good he or she is.

In fact, they are far more likely to end a working relationship if there seems to be a reluctance for their IT technician to come into the office at all. A way around this is to organise regular meetings to ensure direct dialogue, while the particular computer support specialist can provide regular reports and carry out spot checks and tests in house.

It is clear that remote computer support is a service that is not going to go away. This is mainly because of what the latest technology permits users to do, with access into a server allowing the technician to carry out diagnostics, even from the other side of the world. As technology develops, it is to be expected that even more will be able to be done.

For this reason, IT support companies are certain to expand their remote services over time. But while it may seem that it make life easier for them, the fact is that it provides many advantages to businesses too. A faster response time ensures that the utmost will always be done as quickly as possible, therefore providing the best possible service.

Support is a key element of any IT service. That is completely understandable, since the complexities of a software package, or the operating system of a particular pc, is so mysterious to general users that the knowledge of an expert is essential. However, despite this obvious dependency on software and pc support, there are standards of service that one is entitled to.

For any reputable computer support services provider there is never a problem in communicating with their customers and clients. However, there are certain guides that all service providers should follow in order to keep their service quality high. After all, a client seeking software support, for example, will expect to be more knowledgeable on the matter after receiving advice.

Meeting these expectations is vital for two main reasons. Firstly, as a paying client, it is the least that one might expect. No matter what the status of the working relationship is, whether a long term or more recent, the client is entitled to expect value for money.

The second reason is that any IT services provider should know this particular area as a cornerstone of their overall professionalism. The consequences of failing to meet the expectation of their clients is, firstly, to lose them and, secondly, to damage to company reputation, which is not advised in such a competitive industry.  Paying attention to these three factors to an excellent support service can help, of course.

Up To Date Information

It is vital that a support service is completely on top of its game, which means it is fully aware of new developments around the corner, and expert in the hardware and software that is already in circulation. When contacting an IT services provider for support on a pc matter, they should be able to know all of the stages of the section in which the problem is located.

So, if there is a problem with the starting up, they should be able to walk a client through the process. Of course, some pc problems can be more serious and require a technician on site. It is similar in the case of support for software.

Simple Language, Clear Solutions

One of the chief complaints that a client has is that the jargon used is as confusing as the problem itself. Normally, people do not use words like interface and firewall in everyday conversation, and explaining a problem with words such as these can just create more questions.

As a lay person in computer terms, a client is always entitled plain everyday English. This helps in lowering frustration and in providing a clear picture of the solution. Of course, this stands when the technician is speaking face to face too.

Patience

Yes, patience. It seems a little obvious but there are plenty of support services that show little concern for what their callers or clients say. Instead, they hurry through explanations and seem to want to move on as quickly as they possibly can. Often, this is simply down to the fact that the technician is far more knowledgeable, which is to be expected. However, good customer service in any sector involves a willingness to listen and to respect the intelligence and integrity of the client.

When calling or chatting with a support agent, this can be irritating, especially when urgency is a factor in the situation. When a technician calls to the client to handle the matter, it is much simpler to allow the technician to get on with the job then seek a short explanation.

These are very general guides to just three of many factors that make up excellent computer support services. The fact is that knowledge is only part of the service, with pc support requiring clarity in instruction that ensures no confusion. Substituting jargon for straight forward English is a positive step in that direction. Similarly, software support requires a care in description and instruction that some people just do not have.

Many will suggest that the old fashioned call out is the best way to get things done, but immediacy is highly desirable in business. If a problem can be solved within minutes over the phone or in a live chat online, then it makes sense to do so.

Problems do not have working hours, and technical problems have even less regard for the clock. It may seem like a silly statement, but in fact it illustrates the point that things can go wrong at practically any time of the day or night. This is inconvenient at the very least, but when an incident occurs that directly affects a business, it can have a very real affect on livelihoods. With this in mind, there can be little surprise that every competitive IT company offers 24 hour technical support to its client.

Of course, for service providers in almost every industry, the idea of providing a round the clock service is part and parcel of the job. Locksmiths will answer emergency calls, as will local garage tow trucks. In the world of IT, the provision of emergency call out services is all part of the managed IT services that clients tend to expect. The ability to offer such services remotely means that small business IT support services can be offered for 24 hours too.

For a small business, the pressures of maintaining a working computer and internet capability is every bit as important as for the larger companies. Technical failures for even a few hours can end up costing businesses hundreds, or even thousands of pounds, if the are small, and millions of pounds for larger corporations. However, for both sizes such loses can have a bad effect on the profits. By providing 24 hour support, the problems can be solved at any time.

However, for some, one question still hangs over the whole issue, namely how a problem can arise at times when nobody is using the computers. Well, the fact is that internet and server technologies are actually very susceptible to outside influences.

For example, there might be a power blackout in the middle of the night. If the system is not set up to deal with such an event, company data can be lost. If there is a sudden power surge, such as that created by a lightening strike, the consequences can include significant damage to equipment, security systems malfunctioning and online services crashing, which would seriously affect revenue generation.

In each of these cases, it is essential that everything is put right as quickly and efficiently as possible. What an IT support technician can do is assess the extent of the damage, and save vital files or software, if it is possible at all. They can also address malfunctions by reprogramming or resetting systems. Of course, what the technician can do depends greatly on the extent of the damage suffered.

A 24 hour service is generally offered as apart of a managed IT support service.This kind of service provides a thorough service that goes beyond the simple problem solving or emergency call out services. It will incorporate regular testing on aspects such as internet connectivity, PINGS, disk space and band width.

It is especially valuable to businesses that are only starting up, where the computer and internet systems are still being established, and an expert eye is in constant need. A sign that a website has is availing of managed IT services is a notice in the website banner detailing a scheduled time and date that the website will next be closed for maintenance.

It is equally important for businesses that have a strong internet presence and rely on sales over the internet for a large percentage of their revenue. This type of business is becoming increasingly prevalent as online shopping continues to grow, and the technical opening hours of a store is 24 hours. Ensuring that such aspects as info bars, cart icons and memory, and payment processing are fully functional is very important indeed.

There is no question that technical support is a vital part of any modern business, and its importance is in no danger of lessening. While ecommerce is growing fast, for established businesses of small and medium sizes, there is an acute need for technical expertise to keep the ship afloat.

Small business IT support that can be provided on a 24 hour basis is a valuable service option. It provides extra peace of mind to businesses who fear the unpredictable in an area where, often, they have minimal knowledge and even less experience.

There are generally two ways to view a contract agreed with between a company and a computer support service provider. One is that it is a legally binding, strictly precise, and highly restrictive document that lays down the law to the provider on what their job is and the time in which they are to complete it. However, the other way to see it is as a document that establishes the relationship between two parties and what it is they can do for each other.

Clearly, the latter is a more positive way in which to see a contract, and for many companies seeking the expertise of others, by outsourcing key aspects of their business, it is this type of view point that they are attracted to. After all, IT outsourcing is a risky business when one looks at the fact that an essential element of a company, and its ability to function efficiently, is placed in the hands of others. Unfortunately, just like so many other industry sectors, the IT support services industry is filled with firms that promise the world and fail to deliver.

However, a positive attitude is a strong sign that a prospective service provider will deliver on their promise. Obviously, any positivity ought to be balanced with realism with regards to schedules, time management and productivity. When it comes to initial negotiations, these aspects should be agreed in full.

However, there are a number of demands that can be demanded when hiring an IT company, and three in particular that the company should be happy to oblige their prospective employers with.

Meeting Deadlines

For any service provider, deadlines must be met. While much of the services that an IT company provides centres around solving unexpected problems, there are also issues of system upgrades and server expansion that can be highly detailed in nature and very time consuming. This can cause some disruption to any business, but a well organised and experienced service provider will know how to structure their services in such a way as to cause the minimal amount of disruption.

The need to complete any such projects within a certain framework is vitally important. To ensure this is achieved, a step by step progression time table can be devised, identifying specific stages to be achieved within realistic periods of time, all gradually taking the project towards overall completion. This type of structured project plan provides a higher level of certainty, as well as an ability for the employer to communicate definite information to valued clients who may be affected.

Detailed Reports

Most of the time, an IT company will be employed to maintain a the relevant functions of a system and then step in to put things right when they go wrong. However, it is not a good idea for either party to be silent. Communication between both at regular intervals is ideal, as both know precisely where things stand at any given time. Even if the employer is not so internet savvy, there is an understanding that they should be reported to keep them fully abreast of developments.

To this end, the IT company should compile regular reports to their employer, providing data that gives an accurate overview of the state of the hiring company in IT terms. Facts such as the cause of a recent problem, an assessment of server performance, of software and of the hardware that is being used, should be contained in the report. Also, assessments of future steps that may need to be taken, such as the imminence of new operating software.

Work With The Employer

Finally, a demand that is not generally written down but should be understood is that the IT company works with their employers to achieve the maximum possible rather than simply turn up to fulfill terms. This basically relates to the professionalism of the IT support services provider and whether they contribute or simply work to get paid.

The truth is that the hiring company will hope that the computer support they receive extends beyond what is ordinary, as much of the area is something they do not understand completely. After all, the whole idea of turning to IT outsourcing is to benefit from the expertise and wisdom of those who know.

Not long ago, it was thought that size really mattered in business. Today, successful enterprises no longer need prominent premises and large payrolls, but what has not changed is that success is still heavily dependent on competitiveness. Outsourcing has become a popular option as a result, not just for the giant corporations, but the small and medium sized businesses too. And nowhere are the advantages of outsourcing more prevalent than in computer services.

Despite the growing levels of computer literacy and the obviously essential nature of the computer to any business, the task of properly maintaining a computer system is still best left to the specialists. For most of us, IT services are a mystery in themselves, with a level of technical detail that leaves our heads in a spin. So, when something goes wrong, it is always better to seek out IT support services than getting involved ourselves.

Of course, any number of things can go wrong with a computer or internet system. Problems can range from the breakdown of individual computer units to the now frequent problem of the company server crashing. It is, therefore, vital that someone be available to provide a solution to such problems as soon as they occur. However, this requirement in itself can cause considerable problems too.

The expertise that IT professionals boast is so high that they do not come cheap. This is a major stumbling block for the less populated companies of the world, where staff numbers range from the handful to perhaps a few hundred people. That can mean a computer population of a handful to a few hundred too, but in both cases, they require equal attention and servicing.

There are generally three courses of action open to all companies. Firstly, they can hire their own IT staff to work in house on a full time basis. Secondly, they can outsource their IT requirements to a reputable IT servicing company, retaining them on a scalable contract that suits their specific needs. And thirdly, they can turn to independent IT freelancers, hiring them on a part time basis.

The first option has some advantages, in so far as a dedicated staff means that the company can feel completely in control of IT matters. However, there are many disadvantages, not least the high costs involved in paying full time IT staff, as well as maintaining all of the equipment, technology and facilities that go into providing the level of internet and computer capabilities necessary for the company.

The third option also seems like a good idea, especially when applied to the smaller companies with only a handful of computers and personnel. Costs are much lower, not just because only one IT technician is needed, but also because the part time status means that a full salary does not need to be paid. However, the key disadvantage is the level of reliability that comes with any freelance service provider. Basically, the fear is that he will not be available when he is most needed.

However, the second option, recommending outsourcing all IT matters to a reputable IT company, is the wisest course of action. The degree of reliability one can place in an IT company is much higher than that on a freelance service provider, because a company will have sufficient staff cover to make sure that none of their clients are ever neglected.

It is also more affordable because the costs of retaining the IT support services of an IT company is spread across its entire client list. It is normal practice that any one of their staff will be familiar with the systems of several companies. Therefore, one does not pay a full time salary to the IT staff member who visits.

Also, when it comes to the kind of contract to be agreed, it is a major advantage of know that there is a range to suit both the extent of the IT services needed and the particular budget of the company at the same time.

A scalable contract allows for further services to be added in the future, if needs be, while it can also mean that a company may be able to renegotiate for a reduction in the degree of computer services received, though this something that should be established at the start.

Individual companies have the option of hosting their websites internally within their network. The only thing needed is to find a business partner that can offer business class connections to the internet: T1 or business DSL lines. The cost for doing this can add up. A Server room may need to be built, several servers may be needed, server racks may need to be purchased and the appropriate staff will need to be assigned the task of making sure everything is running properly.

Hosting service companies over the last few years have been offering various plans to cater to the varying and changing needs of different businesses. Two of these services are dedicated server hosting and colocation server hosting. Not only does a company get high speed business connectivity, but they  also get proper server space to host a company’s website and other online resources.

Colocation Server Hosting

With this solution, a company purchases a server and installs the unit in a designated rack at the hosting company’s data center. The advantage of doing this is that companies can use server parts that they feel perform best and still take advantage of the great bandwidth from the hosting company. Companies will often do this because they feel the server equipment does not measure up to the specifications required. It is the company’s job to purchase, configure and install any hardware that will be used to manage the web server remotely.

Additional servers can be purchased as the company grows. The other benefits of choosing this option include:

• Using the services of the data center. With this setup, individual companies can monitor the day-to-day performance of the server in the data center remotely. If problems occur, a simple email or call can quickly solve technical issues. The hosting company’s data center will have staff that are trained to properly monitor and be ready to immediately fix problems that occur on the spot.
• No racks need to be purchased. Besides not having to prepare a server room, the rack that holds the servers will not need to be purchased. Space is properly allocated at the data center.
• Security. The data centers will have the proper security measures in place. The server room temperature will be kept cool at all times. They are also equipped to handle any possible fires that may occur. Finally, they also offer cabinets that are lockable and usually only accessible to designated staff.

Dedicated Server Hosting

This option is ideal for companies that don’t want to use up all their cash flow at once. The difference between this option and colocation is that a company leases the server instead of purchasing it. A company will receive the same benefits mentioned above, but they just don’t have to put up a large initial investment.

One factor that many companies need to carefully consider is location. There are many hosting companies around the world, but not all are in prime locations that allow the best data transfers. There are also data centers in the world that are at potential risk because of the high occurrence of natural disasters in the area. No company wants to be in that position. Right now, the two best locations in the world have to be North America and the UK. The UK colo has the least number of reported natural disasters. Data centers in these locations have a great fiber optic infrastructure and cheap reliable sources of power.

The pricing plan of a business internet connection and the cost of having cheap dedicated servers or colocated hosting services are almost the same price. Many IT headaches have been removed from a company’s worries by merely switching to this type of hosting plan and many dollars have been saved in the process. Not only are small business switching, but many large established ones as well. Remember to consider the location. Most parts of Canada, US and the UK are good places including colocation South London Hosting Services.

Imagine for a moment, sharing your resources with another company. When it comes to hosting, usually what is shared is the server space. As more and more companies sign up with a hosting company, resources assigned to your company become diluted. The advantage to going with a shared hosting service include cost savings. The price is evenly spread out between all the companies sharing the web server.

When a company moves to a dedicated server, all resources of one server are allocated to the company.  In this environment, a company can ensure that connections to their own website will be much quicker. This in turn will improve their user’s experience on the website.

When many small businesses go online and put up a website for the first time, they don’t always consider what is needed. To be truthful, many small businesses are not always technically inclined to know the difference between a shared server solution and a dedicated one. Below are some reasons to go with a dedicated solution.

Server is Customized to a Company’s Needs

This option allows a company to build a customized server using only the best hardware. The company doesn’t lease or rent the server, but an actual purchase is made. The company owns the physical server. Many IT folks do not always agree with the hardware that is used in a hosting company’s data center, so this option allows maximum flexibility. Once the server has been built and the software configured, it can be sent to the data center or a representative from a company can personally install the server.

Scalability

Many people hesitate going with a dedicated solution mainly because they feel that everything has to be purchased at one time. There is no need to purchase new cabinet space or switches needlessly. This option allows companies to incrementally add new hardware as the company itself grows.

Security

Servers can become quite hot and a collection of servers will raise the temperature of a room. These data centers have server rooms that are designed to keep servers running optimally at a good temperature. These rooms are protected against fire damage.

High Bandwidth and Low-latency

Besides being able to host a company website on a dedicated colocated server, companies can also take advantage of the high bandwidth connection. A business internet connection alone can be quite costly, but these hosting plans not only offer hosting but also amazing connection speeds. Most businesses are aware that a slow connection to their data could cause frustration for many users. This is especially true if the company has to process hundreds or even thousands of transactions simultaneously. With this option, transactions and company web pages load up with lightning speed.

24/7 Up-time

Everything is redundant: backup generators, power lines and internet connections. In the event of any problems, resources are switched to the backup systems. This will ensure that there is no service interruptions. Besides that, many good data centers will keep backup parts on hand in case a part needs to be quickly replaced.

Equipment Stays Where It Is

There are times when a company needs to move for whatever reason. Though the physical location of a company may change, the data center will stay where it is. There is no need to re-locate anything. It’s important to choose a hosting company that has a good location for a data center. Good locations include the US and the UK.

With proper research, many companies will discover that there are many cheap dedicated server hosting options. A business serious about growing their business needs to move away from shared hosting to one that offers co location. As seen above, there are several good reasons for switching to this type of hosting. Always look for a company that offers plenty of flexibility and has a good backup plan, in case of emergencies. Choose a company that provides 24/7 support. Do not forget to choose a company that offers colocation, London (or UK or even US) based, hosting services.

One of the reasons why companies upgrade their basic hosting plans is because they outgrow their current needs. In the past, traffic volumes may not have been as high or costs needed to be kept at a minimum. Basic hosting plans help companies save money, but the only thing that may be bothersome is that the resources of a particular web server may be shared with other companies, including the bandwidth. Companies may only realize that an upgrade needs to be made when customers write or call in to complain that online transactions take forever to process or if the actual web pages themselves take time to load.

Dedicated Server Hosting

The next level that many companies usually move onto to is dedicated hosting. This option offers a more focused solution with respect to hosting services. There are several advantages when choosing this solution.

• One server is assigned to service company needs. When a company chooses this option, they basically require that all resources be maintained on a single server with no other companies sharing the space. It’s possible that a company requires more than one server, depending on the specific goals and needs.
• Equipment is leased. Leasing equipment is very advantageous for many companies because it allows companies to spread out IT costs over a period of several months. When equipment is leased it allows a company to take advantage of the latest technologies without having to spend a fortune, this in turn allows a company to preserve cash flow.
• Credit line is maintained. This option allows companies to keep their credit lines open. If in immediate purchase is needed, they can look to short-term financing options.
• Flexibility. As a business grows, so will the needs. Hardware will become obsolete or depreciate. This option will allow a business to add additional equipment or to upgrade fairly quickly.
• Tremendous Bandwidth. This option will allow any business to take advantage of the dedicated bandwidth of the hosting company.

1U Colocation Server Hosting

This method of hosting is also popular. It is similar to the dedicated server hosting option, but instead of leasing the equipment, the web server is purchased. It can either be mailed to the hosting centre where a certified engineer can install the server in their rackspace, or another option is to have a representative of the company go to the hosting company’s data center and manually install the server in a designated rack. There are several reasons why a company would want to choose this option over the dedicated hosting option.

• Ownership is with the company. Though leasing may be an attractive option, many companies prefer to do a complete purchase of needed equipment upfront because they bypass paying the high financing fees. The other advantage is that the server belongs to the company.
• Server can be customized. IT folks don’t always see eye to eye when it comes to IT equipment. It’s possible that the servers that are being offered in a data center do not meet the needed specifications outlined by the IT team within a company. This option will allow a company to choose the hardware that will serve the needs  of their company.
• Applications can be fully managed. A company may still choose to manage their server. This option will allow any company to do this.
• Server Room cost savings. When a server is purchased, it usually has to be put in a room with the right temperature to keep it running optimally. It may also be necessary to buy a rack to hold the server. This option will allow any company to use a hosting company’s rack space and data center. These rooms are usually configured with the proper security and room temperature settings.
• Taking advantage of bandwidth. Again, here the company can enjoy high capacity bandwidth of the hosting company.

A company should re-think company objectives and goals before taking any action. Look for potential partners that are located in areas of the world that have offer high bandwidth and low-latency. There are several good cheap hosted server solutions to be found in the UK that do both. Many of them offer dedicated servers, 1U colocation and lockable 11u colocation UK hosting services.

Many hosting companies are realizing that the needs of small businesses are constantly changing. With the internet, small businesses are growing exponentially and they need to constantly adjust their technology to go with the changes. If a small company chooses a plan without carefully considering the different options, they run the risk of spending more money and resources than is really required.

Shared Hosting

For many small businesses, this is the plan that most choose, especially when they first start-up. This is the cheapest of the three options because server space is shared. In other words, there are many websites that can be found on a single web server. The individual site receives their own disk partition. This option is the cheapest because the overall cost of server maintenance is spread out and split between each member sharing the server. This is the best option for companies that receive lower volumes of web traffic and a limited number of transactions per day.

Dedicated Server Hosting

When a company realizes that their online presence is growing at a tremendous rate and that the performance of the site is slowing down because of higher traffic volumes, they seek more focused options like this one. Dedicated server plans give a company complete control because ultimately they take control of a single server or a specified number of servers, depending on the requirement of the company. All resources on the server, including the bandwidth, are fully dedicated to any company that chooses this type of hosting plan. The server is not purchased, but it is leased. Maintenance of the server is included in the cost of the monthly plan.

Server Colocation London Hosting

If a company were to purchase, setup and maintain a web server within a company’s network, it would be quite costly. Consideration would need to be taken for the proper room, with the correct temperature settings and a server rack would have to be purchased as well. Everything would have to be redundant and proper backup hardware and software would need to be purchased to ensure 24/7 up-time. The appropriate staff would then have to monitor the servers to make sure that they are running properly. If any problems were to occur, IT staff would have to be inconvenienced to go to the physical location of the server and get the system running again. A decision would then need to be made at what point to stop.

Server Colocation is very similar to the dedicated server hosting option, but the only difference here is that an actual server purchase is made. Here again, the company can use the resources of the hosting company’s data center. A company may not always agree with the hardware and software specifications offered in a dedicated server plan. This option gives them the freedom to configure the servers with their ideal hardware and software specifications in mind.  There is no need to purchase a server rack because a company can use rack space provided by the hosting company. There is no need to invest in building a server room with the correct temperature settings because the hosting company would provide that as well.

Any business today cannot avoid paying hosting costs. But, careful consideration must be made. A review of the options should be done again to ensure the right option is selected. If price is an issue and traffic volumes are not that high yet, then a shared hosting solution is probably the best bet. Dedicated server hosting, UK based, should be used if proper attention is needed and traffic volumes start to soar. To retain full control of the server hardware and software configurations, it may be best to choose a server colocation solution. If you’re looking for affordable colocation in London, there are several server colocation London Hosting Services. There are many good hosting companies in Southern London that can accommodate a high number of customized servers.

The biggest advantage of selecting a service like this is the reduced number of headaches an IT department of a company faces. They can focus resources on higher level issues and help the company to achieve company goals. When considering investing in any service, proper research must be done. The list of factors below are all important and should be the basis for making a decision. If any of these are missing, company resources and profitability are put at risk.

Reliability

Any business that decides to expand out to the internet wants to make sure that their systems are running online without any interruption. Imagine, if a company spent weeks and months trying to get an online ordering system up. The developers do several hours of overtime to ensure the system works without a glitch and the marketing team does its best to make sure the new feature is broadcast to its users and die-hard followers. On the day of the launch, the server that hosts the website goes down for whatever reason. Imagine the lost revenue for that company. When looking for a provider, make sure they provide the latest hardware and software configuration. Redundancy is also very important. This means that whatever problems are experienced, no interruptions will be experienced by the users. Proper disaster recovery plans should be clearly outlined and communicated. The service level agreements should ensure that servers are up and running 24/7.

Low Latency and High Bandwidth

Connecting a data center to the internet is fairly easy, but it’s important to always make sure that the connection is fast. There is one thing that separates a great provider from an average one, the quality of the IP Transit. A good transit service will usually offer at least two upstream providers. This provides both low-latency and high bandwidth, basically a clear route is always available to the web. Latency is simply the time taken to send and receive a signal. Low-latency is very advantageous for companies that perform thousands of transactions on their websites on a daily basis. Customers would be turned off using the company website if it took several minutes to process a simple order, transaction or even to open a simple web page.

Support Offerings

Everyone knows that nothing ever goes as planned and that occasional problems will happen. Some problems will happen for more companies than others. Nothing is more annoying than not having the proper support when it is needed. When looking for a partner make sure they provide 24/7 support. It’s best to look for a provider that can offer telephone, chat and email support. Chat and email is usually sufficient, but when major problems arise, there’s no messing around and a certified engineer should be ready to field any technical issues over the phone.

Server Hosting Costs

This is probably one of the biggest things that a company must consider, the cost. Many companies decide to do everything themselves because some services cost too high. Some plans are not flexible or are very limited in their offerings. The best partners offer various plans that cater to the different needs and budgets of their clients. There is always a trade-off when a decision is made on whether a company should outsource or perform the work themselves. Companies that do their research properly will be able to find some nice first time deals and discounts.

More and more companies are now turning to a fully managed server hosting solution. It really doesn’t cost as much as it once did. Going with a normal hosting solution will not give a company the proper attention that it needs, especially in times of trouble. You know the saying, “You get what you pay for”. When investing in this type of service, always go with the one that guarantees 24/7 up-time, provides a good IP transit service, has great technical support and provides reasonable server hosting costs. This assurance is what will put minds at ease and allow them to focus on growing their business instead of just maintaining it.