When a company’s service infrastructure isn’t operational, it cannot perform most IT functions. Its website and applications may cease to work, and employees will be unable to send or receive emails. Stored data cannot be accessed.
Many companies have opted to move to cloud services to eliminate this concern; however, numerous organizations continue to use in-house services or rely on a hybrid environment that combines cloud and in-house services. To ensure the server infrastructure is operational continuously, they rely on advanced server management services. How can these services be of help?
Server Management
Server management involves monitoring and maintaining the company’s servers to ensure they perform optimally. This management must extend beyond the servers and include all hardware and software. Server management also provides security and backups to prevent slowdowns and downtime while ensuring the security of server environments. For businesses relying on cloud infrastructure, tapping into managed cloud services in Dallas provides ongoing oversight that can strengthen uptime, disaster recovery, and overall performance. Furthermore, managing the services involves knowing when it is time to upgrade this equipment to meet the company’s evolving needs.
The Basics of Server Management
An effective server management plan addresses all aspects of a company’s IT infrastructure. The hardware must perform reliably to ensure business productivity. Software programs must be monitored and regularly maintained, taking into account software dependencies, to quickly identify performance issues.
Servers must be protected to ensure the network remains secure. Antivirus software must be present and up to date, and firewalls are necessary to prevent unauthorized access. Every company needs a password policy, and sensitive data storage and external network connections must be encrypted to ensure data security.
Regular backups enable the business to resume normal operations quickly in the event of a breach or system downtime. Invest in a backup power supply to prevent data loss in the event of a power outage. The backup solution required depends on the business size and number of locations.
Internal Vs. External Monitoring
Many business owners believe they save money by handling server management in-house. However, they might find they need outside help. While handling these tasks internally offers benefits, such as having complete control over the server environments, it has drawbacks that should be considered. Employees must be trained to manage the servers, and the company will need to invest in server monitoring tools and update them as needed. The cost of these tools may exceed the expense associated with outsourcing this task.
Outsourcing the work enables company employees to focus on tasks that drive business growth and generate revenue. A business owner can have confidence that the servers are being appropriately managed, as the team responsible for this task is aware of the latest tools, technologies, and threats. They monitor the servers around the clock and employ proactive measures to minimize the risk of downtime and other server-related issues.
The company doesn’t need to pay to recruit, onboard, and retain employees to handle server management. It also doesn’t require training existing employees to take on these tasks. The business owner collaborates with the server management provider to ensure that all employees are aware of their expectations, including adherence to the password policy, and to update the server infrastructure as necessary. The provider handles other tasks related to server management.
Server management is essential today to minimize the risk of downtime and security breaches. Managing servers also allows inefficiencies to be caught and addressed promptly. Every company should consider working with a server management provider to ensure these tasks are handled quickly and efficiently, so the server infrastructure is always operating optimally.