When people think of servers they tend to imagine rows upon rows of black boxes that power Google’s search engine or Microsoft’s cloud computing. The reality is even small companies can find use for a server. In reality, technology advances in the past few years have changed the ways in which businesses of all sizes can take advantage of computers and servers to run and grow their business. Whereas it used to cost tens of thousands of dollars for server, it is now possible to buy a powerful server at a fraction of that price. Here are the basics on choosing the right server for your business.
What Is a Server?
First off, let’s make sure what is meant by the term “server.” Unlike a desktop PC, which you likely use every day for email, surfing the web and web processing, a server’s role is to accommodate multiple users for applications such as shared calendars, management software, and large databases of information. The server acts as a central repository for all this information making it easier for employee’s to files and collaborate on projects.
Benefits of a Server
Increased security – The primary benefit of having your own server is the added security it provides. Now you can make sure that all of your data is accessible to only the people who need to see it. By creating accounts for certain departments or specific employees, you can manage their rights individually. Your marketing department doesn’t need access to your other employee’s personal records and, similarly, not everyone in the company needs to see sales numbers or projected targets.
Improved workflow – Not only does all having all your information stored in one secure location mean make it easier for employee’s to share files, it also gives you the option of setting up your own intranet system. Think of intranet as your own private, more secure version of the internet that is powered by your own personal server. Now your employees have the same access to internet amenities like instant messaging, file sharing, and editing files without the same risks of viruses, spyware, and spam.
Reliable backups – Your server will most likely use multiple hard drives making it much easier to create backups of your data. Because servers are used to as repository’s important information, they’re also designed with specialist components that are more reliable than your average desktop PC. These components can be switched out easily if there is ever a hardware failure so your workday won’t be interrupted.
What Server is Right for You?
When it comes to choosing your company’s main server, make sure you choose a brand that has a reliable track record. www.pinnacledata.co.uk currently offer a range of equipment from industry heavyweights HP. If your business deals with large amounts of data, you’ll want to consider investing in a multiple units as part of a server rack to handle your storage requirements safely.
For most business in the digital age, the question is not whether or not they need a server, but how many they need and to what capacity. Make sure you make the most of the security and workflow advantages by switching to a server-based network.
I actually can’t think of any good reason for a small business to buy their own server in the Cloud Age. All the reasons you lay out “shared calendars, management software, and large databases of information” aren’t compelling in the age of the cloud. “Security” could be a reason, but unless you have an expert sysadmin who’s configuring it, you’re likely leaving gaping holes in your security setup. “Improved workflow” has all moved to the cloud, and is even faster and better with mobile application. “Backups” is a bit like security. You have more control over it when you DIY, but otherwise, Gmail has never lost an e-mail. Why wouldn’t I just outsource that responsibility to Google? It might no longer cost tens of thousands to buy a server, but the TCO, when you consider the staff and staff expertise required to manage the server, hits that order of magnitude. With the cloud, I pay Google (or any of the other vendors out there) tens of dollars per month per user, and they handle all of that for me.