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Web Hosting Article :-
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Choose Your One-Stop
Shop for IT Outsourcing.
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Whether
a small local business or a global enterprise, companies face the
complex and often expensive task of building and maintaining the
IT component of their operations. Time, expense and lack of knowledge
dissuade many companies from taking on the technical components
of their business themselves, making IT outsourcing a competitive
and rapidly expanding service market.
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The
Basics: Web Hosting Providers Offer Solutions.
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| While
the complexity of IT needs vary, there are certain universal
requirements. Every business must have a user-friendly, reliable
and secure Web site, as well as up-to-date technology and systems
for the office's computer network. |
Depending on your objectives, a knowledgeable Web hosting provider
can provide solutions that eliminate the need for an expensive,
full-time IT staff. Advanced Web hosting providers are growing
in popularity, as they are the most cost-effective and logical
solution for many companies who do not consider information
technology a core competency. Companies can leverage the tremendous
technical expertise and resources provided by these hosting
providers. These services eliminate the burden of staying on
top of the latest technology or the maintenance of an expensive
data center. |
In addition to securely hosting your company's servers, many
reputable hosting companies offer a wide range of services,
including Web design, database management and audio/video streaming.
Various hosting solutions, such as co-location or fully managed
services, are available to accommodate each organization's IT
requirements. |
Co-location
is an option for companies that own and maintain their own servers,
but for reasons of security, redundancy and connectivity wish
to store the server in a safe, specially designed environment.
The administrator has full access to the server, which is housed
in a segregated, locked cabinet. This service provides the client
with "rental" space for servers while allowing them
to maintain full administrative control. An IT administrator
on staff or an outside consultant handles any problems or updates.
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Managed or dedicated hosting is another outsourcing option.
As with co-location, the server is located at the Web hosting
provider's secure facility. However, the hosting company is
responsible for maintaining that server and fixing any problems
that occur. This is often a more efficient, cost-effective solution
than retaining a full-time employee to handle situations that
only occasionally occur. |
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| Technology:
What to demand from your Web hosting provider. |
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| Technology
should be the core competency of any Web hosting provider. Make
sure that your provider has control of its data center and that
the network architecture is scalable to accommodate future technology.
Web hosting companies often rent space from larger providers
and. are unable to guarantee up-time or quality of service.
A Web hosting provider should be able to guarantee that your
server, website or application is available 24/7, with a 99.99
percent service-level agreement. |
When you have found a company with its own data center, insist
that the provider have all of the following components that
are necessary for any state-of-the-art network operations center:
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- Multiple
levels of redundancy including UPS and back-up generator
systems.
- Reliable,
rapid, diverse bandwidth providers.
- Secure
means of transacting business over the Web.
- User-friendly
customer and tech support staff.
- 24/7
access to your co-located server.
- 24/7
access to the technical staff.
- Physical
security for individual servers to eliminate outside tampering.
- On-site
system administrators.
- Dedicated
Internet connections.
- Additional
security systems and physical security.
- FM-200
Suppression System or portable dry chemical fire extinguisher.
- Wireless
enablement.
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| Service:
What to expect from your Web hosting provider. |
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Although many are not, Web hosting providers should be in
the customer service business. Before you outsource components
of your IT strategy to a hosting company, make sure they have
the staff to support your company both technically and personally.
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| Here
are some questions to ask yourself and a prospective Web hosting
provider. |
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When you call with a question, does a real person being
answer the phone? Are you directed to someone who has the
time to ask and answer questions, or are you sent through
a myriad of recorded instructions?
- Can
the customer service or technical representative explain
and advise you on the products and services that will be
the most beneficial to your company?
- Can
they direct you to outside resources if they do not have
the specific product or service you are requesting?
- Does
the tech staff have the expertise they should? Can they
answer technical questions that are outside of the box?
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| The
perfect match: Finding the provider that will grow with your
company. |
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Growth is a fundamental element in any business plan. Considerations
such as additional bandwidth, new e-commerce capabilities
and technological upgrades should be included in growth projections.
Although you may require minimal IT applications now, growth
will necessitate the allocation of more resources towards
this aspect of your business.
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| Understand
that you get what you pay for. You might see $9.95/month hosting
all over the place, but ask yourself, "How can a company
really afford to provide a high level of service at that kind
of price?" Usually, they can't. |
Make sure your provider has the ability, technology and expertise
to grow with your company. Maintain verbal contact with the
hosting company, talk to their tech support team and test them
out. "Kick the tires" before you move forward so that
you really know with whom you're getting involved. |
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