The Advantages of using Windows Hosting

Have a great idea or business plan that you plan on sharing with the world on the internet? Then choosing your web hosting service and finding the right Windows Hosting service is very important. You have a few choices when it comes to web hosting, shared, dedicated server, or a combination of the two. Once you've made that choice it's time to choose your Windows Hosting provider.

Shared web hosting is kind of like living in an apartment complex, you share the building, it's facilities, and resources with all of the other people who pay to live there. Dedicated server hosting is more like owning your own home, all of that homes resources and facilities are yours to use as you see fit. Virtual dedicated servers are more like owning a town home, the place is yours, but you share some of the facilities and services with others. This decision is usually dictated by the budget available and the needs of the web site. Whatever you choose, Windows Hosting is the best way to build your website.

You're given access to all of the Microsoft web development technology and software. Those services include Access, MS SQL databases, Active Server Pages, and much more. At Server Intellect we are a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner and a Microsoft Small Business Specialist to provide the best web hosting solutions for anyone looking to start a website or business.

How Cloud Hosting Relates to Server Hosting

If you've been paying attention to the tech world buzz lately, then you've certainly heard a lot of talk about cloud hosting. But what is it? It's a form of server hosting where you are linked in to a network of services and all of the capabilities those servers possess. This includes memory, processing power, hard drives, and any hardware or software installed on one of the servers.

But why is that desirable for a business? For small to medium sizes business it allows you access to server hosting without needing to purchase or house any of the hardware yourself. You also don't have to learn how to run and operate a server on your own, meaning you can focus on running your business. And because of the network of servers cloud hosting links you into, if a server in the cloud does go down or crashes, the other servers pick up the slack and you don't miss a beat. Cloud hosting allows you to share hardware and software from the cloud of servers, so you don't have to purchase it yourself. All you have to do is pay for the use of the Cloud server hosting, and a company like Server Intellect takes care of the rest.

The cloud hosting services at Server Intellect offer high performance servers backed by world class support. We offer continuous data backup to ensure that you don't have to worry about the security of your data. Scalability means that should your business grow and your needs increase, you can boost your RAM so your website keeps up with the demand of your business. We ensure you get the highest performance at the best value, saving you time and money while ensuring your business doesn't ever slow down.

Dedicated Server Hosting used for Gaming

Sick and tired of your game glitching and jumping on you during game play? Instead of relying on your wireless internet connection, use Dedicated Server Hosting the next time you and your buddies all get together and play Call of Duty or any other game that you're in to.

Imagine experiencing multi-player action and high intensity sequences without any glitches or connectivity issues. A true gamers dream right? Many gaming hosts, like WarCraft and MineCraft, use dedicated server hosting for their online communities to ensure the millions of users, or even smaller hosted parties, don't experience any connection issues. You can also use these servers as a host for your Call of Duty multiplayer gaming groups with friends, so that way you and your friends can enjoy a glitch free night of friendly warfare.

Dedicated Server Hosting is a must for anyone who is planning on starting up an online gaming network. Nothing will kill a gaming community quicker than a server crashing every time you see a spike in traffic. The more online users the better, so make sure your servers are equipped to handle it with Server Intellect's dedicated server hosting services. Our services offer a tremendous amount of customization, control, security, and speed. Allowing gamers everywhere to concentrate on world domination, and not their connection.

Is Your Privacy Protected in Cloud Servers?

It is a somewhat common concern that cloud servers could endanger you privacy, seeing that this form of information storage strips the owner of his or her control over the location of the information. But there is nothing to fear here. It is similar to the concept of the way electricity is provided. The average citizen is most likely unaware of where exactly the electricity is coming from, but he or she are not consciously concerned whether the kitchen lights will turn on every time the switch is flipped. He or she simply has a trusting relationship with the electricity provider. Much like we have a mutually beneficial relationship with our customers.

Private Cloud Servers

People may be concerned that the privacy of their information will be unsafe when stored on a shared physical computer. However, this is why we refer to them as “private” servers. Virtually Private Servers (VPS), as they are also called, uses the same software to backup and store information, while each individual virtual machine is separated from another. Think of it as two individuals sitting together in the same room. Each one of them possesses an incredible amount of private information, but unless they communicate this information to each other, the information in their heads will never be released. This is how our system works as well. We make sure to adhere to our customers' needs, and if you do not want your information to be shared, we will make sure it is safely stored in our system.

What is Cloud Hosting?

Have you come across the term “Cloud Hosting” lately and wondered what this cloud buzz is all about? For many people, this is a somewhat new and unfamiliar term. The technology, however, has been around for quite some time now. The basic idea is to assist both businesses and private individuals with web hosting in a way that provides public access to different types of computing services. Instead of having each company or person go out and buy their own products, this technology lets you use the services through our server.

Server Intellect's Approach

Server Intellect believes that in order to run a successful cloud hosting services, the main focus should be on key terms like Redundancy, Scalability, Value and Performance. We emphasize your needs and base our business theory around those needs. In a world where things like sudden computer crashes and unpredictable natural disasters can endanger an entire business, our company will provide the most reliable services to keep your business safe from harm.

Why You Should Join Our Cloud

The benefits of cloud hosting are many. Not only does it provide you with an endless source of up-to-date information, this information is also stored on multiple servers, in case a hardware failure would occur. Our cloud provides an infinite source of processing power, seeing that there is always another server available if you wish to scale up. Moreover, the service cost is based on usage, much like a standard utility bill, preventing unnecessary reservation of unused server power.

Why Managed Servers Are Lifesavers

Most of us do not realize what a vital part managed servers play in both personal and corporate life. Although we may have the ability to predict when certain natural catastrophes will occur, we have yet to figure out a way to stop them from happening. A common side effect from these disasters is a power outage that may stretch from a few seconds up to several days. In such an event, tons and tons of valuable information that may have been collected for years, could now be lost in cyberspace with no available tools for recovery. Unless(!) you and/or your business have your data backed up on either one or several managed servers, that is.

Think of it in terms of the recent, and quite sarcastic, GEICO commercial, where robots have replaced humans in the roles of modern daycare personnel. Insane, right? Who would leave their toddlers in the hands of a robot? Much like this commercial suggests, it would be insane to leave crucial information in the hands of uncontrolled machines. Therefore, our servers at Server Intellect are monitored by real humans who are on call 24/7, helping you with everything from data retention and email archiving, to server administration and security services.

So, next time an unexpected disastrous event comes knocking on your door, you can be sure that our managed servers will keep your information safely stored.

Gartner Announces SaaS Revenue and Adoption Worldwide

Mid-September Gartner announced the various revenue and adoption statistics for regions and countries worldwide, as well as the projected reasoning for increased percentages. 

"Worldwide software as a service (SaaS) revenue is on pace to reach $12.1 billion in 2011, a 20.7 percent increase from 2010 of $10 billion," according to Gartner, Inc., and the global SaaS market is forecast to reach $21.3billion by 2015. 

SaaS, or third-party cloud hosting, is a concept that is being embraced by firms of all sizes. Large corporations embraced the concept of cloud computing fairly quickly when it came into view, with small corporations following hesitantly behind. 

"SaaS adoption is more prominent in the more mature markets in Asia/Pacific, such as Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Singapore and South Korea, because of their established infrastructure, such as more-stable networks, as well as the availability of vendor sales, marketing and support service structures," said Sharon Mertz, research director at Gartner. Mertz claims that the ease and speed of deployment are the number one reason that North America has adopted SaaS, as well as the lower total cost of ownership provided by third-party cloud hosting.

"SaaS penetration and adoption is occurring mostly in Northern Europe, which is composed of the U.K., Ireland, the Netherlands and Nordic countries," Ms. Mertz said. "This is due to a culturally open outlook toward technology adoption, well-established and generally good Internet infrastructure within these countries, and English being the primary business language." Global adoption and implementation of third-party cloud hosting services is growing dependent upon the ability for adaptation and current IT structure within the country or region. 

According to Gartner, the organization holds annual symposiums across the globe to "[deliver] independent and objective content with the authority and weight of the world's leading IT research and advisory organization, and [provide] access to the latest solutions from key technology providers. Gartner's annual Symposium/ITxpo events are key components of attendees' annual planning efforts. IT executives rely on Gartner Symposium/ITxpo to gain insight into how their organizations can use IT to address business challenges and improve operational efficiency." 

Upcoming dates and locations for Gartner Symposium/ITxpo 2011 include:

October 3-5, Tokyo, Japan: www.gartner.com/jp/symposium
October 16-20, Orlando, Florida: www.gartner.com/us/symposium
October 25-27, Sao Paulo, Brazil: www.gartner.com/br/symposium
November 7-10, Barcelona, Spain:www.gartner.com/eu/symposium
November 14-17, Gold Coast, Australia:www.gartner.com/au/symposium
November 21-23, Mumbai, India: www.gartner.com/in/symposium

Small Australian Businesses Adopting Cloud Computing

Cloud computing was first embraced by large businesses and corporations that saw the value in relocating and streamlining their IT infrastructures. While big businesses switched almost immediately, seeing the added value of moving IT functions to remote locations to reduce the cost of IT management  onsite, small businesses were hesitant to make the move.  Over time, small businesses have cobbled on to the money-saving cloud hosting industry that also provides improved flexibility, increased security and fewer risks.

Third-party service providers facilitate and take over the responsibility for the IT systems for the businesses. Third-party service providers handle various aspects of IT management such as managing computer servers, performing software updates, and backing-up data and software. The business basically rents spatial capacity and accesses their information from a remote location via the Internet. This reduces the overall cost for businesses because there is no need to have a full-time or part-time employee that handles IT management.

The number of cloud hosting and cloud service providers has grown rapidly over the last few years, in size and in the range of services offered. Now, instead of simply moving your general IT functions to a cloud provider, you can also access a range of cloud-based software including accounting systems, sales management systems and office productivity software. In Australia, this is especially verifiable.

According to a report by The Australian, as posted in The Wall Street Journal's Business section, small businesses in Australia have adopted cloud computing and cloud hosting services to help make their businesses more effective and cost-efficient.

"The greatest thing about the cloud is that enables you to scale and grow easily," said the Managing Director of Rookie Recruits, Andy Springer. "We needed IT systems that could grow with the business but did not require the IT budget of a large corporate to put in place."

Cloud computing and cloud hosting provides the opportunity for small businesses to save money and man power by moving IT management to third-party service providers. While this industry is growing at a rapid pace, studies predict we are barely tipped the iceberg of the impact that cloud hosting will have on IT management and businesses worldwide. 

Why Should Your Data be Stored in the Clouds?

Undoubtedly, you've heard of cloud servers by now, but maybe you're still wondering what all the fuss is about and why your company should be jumping on the bandwagon.  While we know the technology is only going to become more ubiquitous in the years to come, we understand your concerns.  That's why we're going to go over some of the top reasons why it makes sense to put your data into the clouds.

Unparalleled Scalability

Are you tired of worrying about peak periods forcing you to facilitate new services?  The underutilization of equipment and misappropriation of hardware won't be concerns any longer once as our cloud hosting allows for data to be more appropriately stored and shared.

Speedier Dispersal

Going up into the clouds means a dramatic drop-off in the amount of time required to deliver new applications.  This is accomplished through the elimination of monotonous software downloads, installations and new hardware servers.  With all of that out of the way, it's no wonder cloud clients save time.

Improved Disaster Recovery

The unfortunate reality is that there is a plethora of reasons for server or hardware failures to occur.  The American Red Cross estimates that 40% of businesses fail following a natural or manmade disaster.  Don't be part of that statistic.  The disaster recovery services afforded to you by signing on for our cloud services provide redundant versions of your data that can be pulled back online in moments.  This all happens automatically, but you can alternatively choose to have a portion of your data restored should the situation call for it.

So now you know what you're missing.  Oh, and did we mention that your operating costs will also be slashed as a result of you no longer needing expensive hardware or a large IT staff?

U.S. Government to Switch to Cloud Hosting

According to an article on TMCnet.com, the U.S government has plans to start implementing cloud hosting solutions. While some organizations are reluctant to make the switch, it seems as though the government has "hopped aboard the cloud train with two solid feet." The biggest motivator, according to the article, is the cost savings associated with adopting cloud technologies. This decision couldn't come at a better time, as the federal government continues to be scrutinized for its budget mess and spending beyond its means by its own members and taxpayers alike.

Perhaps companies that are reluctant to switch to cloud hosting technologies should take a close look at the amount of money the government could save on expensive physical data centers by implementing cloud computing networks. Currently, the federal government spends $80 billion on information technology every year; however, by eliminating 40 percent of its computer centers in the next four years, they could end up saving $5 billion annually. Some federal agencies have already adopted cloud-based services and they're reaping the benefits. For example, the Department of Agriculture transferred 140,000 email accounts to the cloud which saved the government $42 million.

The Chairman of the U.S. Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board, Earl Devaney, explains in the TMCnet.com article that "moving to the cloud allows us to provide better service at lower cost." By moving their Recovery.gov site to a cloud hosting infrastructure, the Board enjoys more efficient operations and improved security. Devaney says he hopes the development "will inspire other government entities to accelerate their own efforts." Those who criticize the government for overspending will be happy to hear that, according to Devaney, "American taxpayers would be the winners" if more government bodies decide to move to the cloud.

If cloud hosting solutions can help the government cut back on spending during a downturn in the world economy, imagine what switching to a cloud server could do for your business. At Server Intellect, we can take the hassle of server management off your hands, optimize your infrastructure, streamline processes, and ultimately save you money. To learn more about our cloud servers, read the information we have provided on our website or feel free to contact us.

Cloud Hosting: the Importance of Planning Ahead

Companies across all industries are making the switch to cloud hosting solutions because of the many benefits the platform has to offer. From reducing costs to optimizing performance, the advantages of cloud hosting are easy to see. However, in order to get the most out of this solution, it is important to carefully plan ahead for the switch. Otherwise, employees will be unprepared for the change and companies could run into unforeseen obstacles that hold back their efforts. Here are a few ways to brace for the impact that a change in technology can bring to business operations and employees' responsibilities for the best long-term results.

Operations
Cloud hosting solutions include services such as managed backups, website monitoring, web statistics, and email hosting. These services are meant to streamline business processes, but they can only reach their potential with the proper planning and implementation. The goal is to make the transition as seamless as possible, as opposed to causing a disruption in daily operations. The most effective way to accomplish this objective is by transforming the business to manage the technology. And at Server Intellect, we have the resources to do just that. We clear up some of the confusion about cloud servers with our cloud hosting "facts" page, and we have a support team standing by to discuss all of your specific needs.

Employee Responsibilities
Part of planning ahead for the switch is making sure employees are properly informed about their new roles and responsibilities. Cloud hosting services take the hassle of server management off IT departments so they can focus on other initiatives; however, they still have some influence when it comes to maximizing the performance of these solutions. For example, who will be the person responsible for communicating with the cloud hosting provider? Without a plan, responsibilities could be blurred, and subsequently, employees could become frustrated and ultimately performance could suffer. The only way to avoid these problems is by putting a process in place ahead of time. All it takes is discussion and consultation to create a framework that satisfies employees and reaches full ROI potential.

Public Cloud Hosting Solutions: Email

Our blog gives us the opportunity to put some of our services into perspective and explain them more in depth. With that in mind, we want to discuss how our email hosting service streamlines day-to-day business functions and saves time, money, and stress.
Businesses rely on email to communicate with each other as well as with clients and prospects. With an increasing amount of critical data being sent across networks, the need for businesses to secure employees' email accounts is important, to say the least. Cloud hosting offers email solutions that businesses need to stay connected in a cost-effective and reliable way. With Server Intellect managing everything behind the scenes, here are some of the ways your business can improve:

• Increased mobility. When employees can access their email from anywhere – whether it's their mobile devices or a web browser – they can stop searching for the information they need and start working more efficiently. This cloud hosting solution is accessible by iPhone, Blackberry, and other types of smartphones.  

• Security enhancements. We have built-in anti-spam features that keep employees' inboxes clutter-free. With our email solution, people are able to stop wasting time sorting through unwanted emails. Plus, the anti-virus feature keeps computers safe from potentially dangerous infections. These two advanced security features bring peace of mind to the user, which is important in a world where hackers and cybercriminals seem to be more prevalent than ever.

• Ensure availability. As is the nature of cloud hosting and managed servers' solutions, our mail servers are redundant and use backup technology for maximum accessibility. You can rest assured that email will be there exactly when you need it through our reliable platform.

Does Your Business Have a Disaster Recovery Plan in Place?

With IT budgets shrinking and Recovery Time Objectives shortening, businesses are being forced to think of ways to recover critical information quickly and affordably, in the wake of a disastrous event. According to a recent article on EnterpriseStorageForum.com, online backup in the cloud supports cost-effective business continuity and disaster recovery efforts. Keeping data in another physical location is a practical way to keep it secured, and cloud hosting ensures rapid restoration in an economical way. Here's how Server Intellect's redundant and scalable server management services support the article's claim:

• Scalability. This refers to the flexibility that exists within the cloud to increase or decrease capacity quickly and effectively. When companies only pay for what they use, they will never waste money on extra database storage. The ability to scale the package to meet their individual needs is one of the things that attract our customers to our cloud hosting solutions.

• Redundancy. Our cloud hosting services are inherently redundant, which means clients' files won't be lost in the event of a hardware failure. We recognize the importance of protecting critical information for disaster recovery purposes, so customer data is stored with up-to-date firewalls and virus protection in place.

• Availability. In the wake of a disaster, it is just as important to be able to access information, as it is to protect it. When it comes to business continuity, the goal is to have as little interruption as possible; therefore, cloud hosting solutions must be able to meet Recovery Time Objectives. Server Intellect's ability to deliver critical data quickly and effectively minimizes losses – a key objective of disaster recovery plans.

Mixing Cloud Hosting with Current IT Infrastructures

Since the cloud hosting discussion began, two main camps have emerged. The first camp believes cloud computing is an absolute must. This group of people thinks that companies that do not move to this “platform of the future” run the risk of being left behind.  The other camp is full of skeptics, who view this cloud hosting “solution” as more of security problem than anything else.

Why does cloud hosting have to be so black and white? The answer is: It doesn’t.

The misconception about cloud computing is that it renders existing IT systems obsolete. The truth is that businesses that add cloud hosting solutions shouldn’t abandon their existing IT infrastructures. Instead, they can be used to compliment current servers and software in a way that boosts ROI, and allows businesses to take advantage of the other benefits that cloud hosting has to offer.

While many businesses have made the switch to cloud computing – whether fully or partially – others are still reluctant. For companies that are hesitant to take the first step, experts in the industry recommend trying to move to cloud hosting solutions gradually. This can be done by simply testing the model, using it on non-critical data is a safe way to begin the process. As business owners start to see the benefits of data backup, website hosting, and other solutions, they might be more confident that cloud hosting offers more for less. 

Cloud hosting is more like an ever-evolving shade of grey, than a black and white issue. Whether or not businesses fully integrate their current IT infrastructures with cloud hosting solutions or simply use them to enhance certain parts of their existing systems, one thing is certain: this "platform of the future" is more like the platform of the present – and it is here to stay.

Ways that Cloud Hosting can Help Your Business

How can cloud hosting help your business? Many individuals are still unfamiliar with what cloud computing is, how it functions and why it has been gaining popularity over the past few years. 

To begin with, cloud computing has been around for a fairly long time.  If you take a look at e-mail and how it functions, this is actually a form of cloud hosting. All of your emails are stored in a "cloud," and you can pull them whenever you need to look at one or send one.  In the same vein, this type of technology is a fantastic way for businesses to save money on their IT costs.

For example, consider a smaller business that has a multitude of startup costs. Most businesses do not even turn a profit for at least two to three years depending upon what type of business they are in.  Because costs associated with servers and data is high, businesses often have to have an IT department spend precious hours to make sure that any issues can be fixed and any flaws are corrected, as well as having staff on hand to monitor situations.  Virtual server hosting saves both time and money, which is critical in this competitive environment.

If your company is at a very small stage right now, you can actually control the amount of storage space you need.  This eliminates the need to buy very expensive and large data space at the beginning stages, which could make costs very high.  With server hosting, you can shrink or expand your data capacity needs based on your business needs.  This is an extremely convenient situation for those who are trying to find ways to cut costs. Utilizing cloud computing can save your business up to forty percent of IT costs per year, so get a head start on switching to virtual server hosting today.

The Benefits of Using Cloud Hosting for Disaster Recovery Purposes

Over the last year and a half, people all over the world have faced the devastating consequences of natural and manmade disasters. From the BP oil spill in 2010 to the recent earthquakes in Japan, it seems like these types of events are happening more frequently and with more intensity than ever. Of all the lessons these disasters have taught people, one resonates with business owners the most: using cloud hosting for disaster recovery purposes helps companies and their employees through these difficult times. Here are some of the benefits this solution has to offer:

Backups in multiple locations

Cloud hosting makes it easier than ever to store and retrieve critical data during disaster recovery. In the past, businesses used disk backups that needed to be stored onsite. If a natural disaster such as a flood or tornado hit the office building these disks would be destroyed along with the computers. Now, cloud hosting technology allows companies to backup their data in a remote location and access it from anywhere for maximum security and recovery time.

Automated protection

Cloud hosting services allow companies to choose how often data is backed up. There is even an option to backup data as it is created which ensures nothing is lost in the event of a disaster. This disaster recovery plan makes data security one less thing that managers need to worry about in the face of adversity. Whether the data was stored the day before the disaster or a year prior to that, it is readily available so businesses can continue their operations and resume a sense of normalcy as quickly as possible.

Cost-effective

A disaster recovery plan is considered a cheap form of insurance. In keeping along with the affordable nature of a DRP, cloud services are a cost-effective way to store critical information. Not only does the cloud hosting company maintain the hardware, which cuts back on IT costs, but the time businesses save on backing up their data reduces operating costs as well. Should a disaster occur, this frees up time, money, and other important resources for the best possible recovery process. No one can predict the next Chilean earthquake or Indonesian tsunami, but companies can protect themselves from the damage brought on by these types of disasters by creating, documenting, and testing a DRP including cloud hosting solutions.  

Cloud Hosting Plays Key Role for Small Businesses

  When starting a business from scratch, it can be a very expensive and time-consuming process. From the various tax forms that need to be filled out to the high costs associated with starting a business and renting property, it can be quite difficult.  Most new businesses do not make a profit until after several years of strong growth, so it is always important to save money where possible.   

 IT costs are a primary area of focus for most businesses. Staying on the cutting edge helps ensure the future of pretty much every company in our modern times.  With the need for a consistent dedicated server, a business generally has to purchase expensive servers on their own, which can put a smaller business in debt. 

 This is where cloud hosting continues to play a key role. Cloud computing basically allows a company to have their files run by another firm in the "cloud." They then have the ability to access all of their information at a moment's notice, as well as contract and expand the quantity of data they need to store.  Virtual server hosting has the ability to save a company quite a bit of money, as they do not need to directly purchase or store servers on their site.  This allows IT resources to be freed up for more important projects, rather than babysitting small and pesky problems. 

 With the state of the global economy, as well as the American economy, cutting costs and being as frugal as possible is becoming the norm for businesses across the spectrum.  Whether it is in regards to personnel or eliminating expensive business flights, the reality is that the business world is rapidly changing.  Investing in a virtual dedicated server is one of the best values for a company that is looking to save on IT costs. If you're one of these companies looking to cut back on IT costs, be sure to check out the effective and affordable services that we offer.