What Is a Server, and Why Do I Need One for My Small Business?
We’re grateful you inquired. Servers are, at their core, data storage and access devices. They make data transfers easier, which is the foundation of almost all information technology (IT). Even if you don’t realise it, your company probably already employs a server of some sort (the video to the right can help shed some light there).
So, what’s the point of having one? Servers are an essential component of any company’s expansion plan. After all, the success of your company is dependent on a variety of elements. Internal assets include things like stocking the correct products and recruiting the greatest staff. External services, such as those provided by public utilities and corporate partnerships, are also necessary.
But where does a server fit within that investment scale? To answer, let me tell you a tale about how a company’s decisions in this area might effect its growth and success.
Tiny Biz Inc.’s owner has a wonderful business idea but only a personal residence from which to start it. Initial storage of products, office supplies, and equipment must be done with friends and family (including Great Aunt Sally in Ottawa).
The IT perspective: When you use free internet services like email, your data is stored on servers outside of your company’s control, possibly in another state or even another country.
On the other side, a leak in Aunt Sally’s attic could cause damage to current customers’ shipments, and a technological failure could prevent future customers from making orders in the first place. Also, while the space may be free in both circumstances, it is limited and will eventually run out.
The Bottom Line: relying on free storage, whether physical or virtual, exposes a corporation to losses that are difficult to recover from.
Sales increase, the crew grows, and Tiny Biz decides to take things seriously and relocate to a commercial location. To commemorate their accomplishment, the happy owner and crew arrange a grand opening.
The IT perspective: relocating a server under the supervision of IT experts (or renting one from them) provides the benefits of server ownership without the maintenance costs.
The Downside: A decent storefront rental, like competent server management, can be a significant price, and even the best of the best can run into issues from time to time in our imperfect world. When calamity hits, however, a smart IT server choice, like a good landlord, demonstrates its actual value.
The Bottom Line: A good storage investment assures that emergency recovery is handled by someone else.
We all know how difficult it is to compete in today’s economy. As a small business owner, you must consider the bottom line. Perhaps you still believe that enterprise-level IT isn’t as important (or as vital) as other business expenses. Here’s a small list of the benefits that a good server can provide:
Business data is automatically backed up, and recovery is simple.
The domain name of your company is managed automatically.
Email management and archiving on a large scale.
Quality file organisation and accessibility, as well as the ability to share internal papers and coordinate calendars from any location.
Do any of these items appear to be critical to your company’s success? Then, as you move from the “just getting by” phase of business operations to a true server solution, you’ll need to plan and spend properly. Consider the dangers you may face if you left home security to chance or merely went with the lowest solution available.
Unfortunately, many firms regard their server assets in the same way; that is, as the lowest alternative available. It isn’t until an emergency occurs that a company appreciates the importance of servers and a team to manage them. According to a survey conducted by CA Technologies and Coleman Parkes Research, IT downtime and recovery cost businesses a total of $26.5 billion in lost income over the course of a year, average $159,331 per company.
What is the most tragic aspect of the situation? Servers aren’t that expensive to begin with, especially for tiny businesses. Microsoft Small Business Server is designed for companies with fewer than 25 people (but they do have variants for larger companies as well! ), and cloud storage and visualisation are becoming more affordable.
Even for a corporation that considers itself to be tech savvy, getting these servers set up and working efficiently can be a daunting task. According to a recent Microsoft study, 60% of small firms admit to not having the resources to refresh their equipment (with 52 percent not being able to afford adequate employee training). You’ll undoubtedly want to seek assistance, and luckily, you can do so with a local partner in your area: Web Pundits is an example of a firm that provides excellent local server maintenance.
Servers are a worthwhile investment for enterprises of all sizes, as they are necessary for overall growth and expansion. We’d be delighted to assist your company in better managing this vital resource; simply contact us to get started. More facts and numbers, as well as case studies of how servers have helped businesses like yours prosper, may be found on Microsoft’s Small Business server portal.
Whatever you choose, a server is simply another tool to help you focus on what matters most: developing your business.
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