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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. |
| 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.
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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.
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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.
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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. |
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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. |
| 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. |
| Here
are some questions to ask yourself and a prospective
Web hosting provider. |
- 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. |
| 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. |
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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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