Here’s why:

Expand Your Business

Choosing a cloud hosting option that’s scalable gives you the best opportunity to have your network grow with your business in the future. Many companies hold off on moving to the cloud because they feel as though they aren’t quite ready to do so. Perhaps they don’t yet have the funds or the client-base to make that kind of change. However, making the move to the cloud in the beginning stages will not only make your business more accessible to more people, but it will also allow you to save money in the long run. This is because most MSPs offer scalable solutions, so you don’t need to pay for what you aren’t using right now — you can always make the necessary upgrades later on.

Take More Time for What Matters

Turning to an MSP means that in addition to gifting your company a brand new infrastructure set-up next year, you will also have the support of a professional provider. This means they will manage everything, while you continue doing the many jobs you need to do as a company leader. If you have a lot of projects you’re hoping to get done next year, managing your network shouldn’t get in the way. Make it your resolution to work on what you need to do, while an MSP stays on top of the rest. After all, why risk losing all the hard work you’ve done when your MSP can provide amazing backup and disaster recovery solutions?

Wowrack wants you to be on the right track for next year. Contact us to learn more.

Keep the Important Jobs in the Hand of Professionals

Is not knowing who to trust holding you back from making some changes for next year? That’s understandable, and exactly why we stress the importance of making sure you can trust your MSP. This is why Wowrack offers data center tours to ensure you’re getting a good look at the services you’ll be receiving. Therefore, you can feel confident knowing that this important job lies in the hands of a  dedicated team of experts. There will always be someone available that can solve the problem your network may be presenting, but ultimately, the team will help recognize any problems well before they occur.

Also, it helps to know that if something does happen — for instance, a data breach — you won’t necessarily be the one held completely responsible.

Provide Consistent Customer Satisfaction

Lastly, a major goal you should have for the upcoming year is to continue growing that trust between you and your clients. One of the ways to achieve this is by maximizing your security standards, thereby ensuring your customers that you’re doing everything in your power to mitigate risks that could have the potential to leak their information. This is why, depending on the industry you’re in, it’s so important to practice compliance laws. Opting for the services of an MSP as one of your New Year’s resolutions will help you bring in more customers, and improve your CRM overall. Additionally, it will keep you safe from problems like shut-downs, delays, data disasters, breaches, and visits from auditors. A strong approach to this means happy customers.

So, what’s the hold up? Let us help you achieve the New Year’s resolutions you have for your company.

The post Turning to Managed Services Should be Your Company’s New Year Resolution appeared first on Wowrack Blog.

That being said, if you’re a business leader, then you know all too well the stress that can come with working with multiple people at once. However, like with any team, if your MSP does this collaboration correctly, you’ll have even less to worry about.

Here’s how it works:

Who Are They?

A managed services team consists of experts in their field, like architects, security experts, monitors, etc. Generally, team members are labeled as “engineers” and should be the top of their game. By working with a team, you can feel confident knowing that someone will be there no matter when you need them. 7 days a week, 365 days a year, 24 hours a day — this is one of the benefits of having a team take care of your network as opposed to a single individual.

Different Expertise Across the Board

Of course, although you’re working with one team, that team is working with clients on cloud systems located world-wide. Even so, this shouldn’t take away from the quality of services they are supposed to be providing you with. If this is executed correctly, then the managed services team will help you with a whole number of things. This should include, but not be limited to:

• IT, Cloud architect, and Strategy services
• Network engineers who run 100% SLA networks
• System administrators that monitor and manage your specific network design and infrastructure
• Security engineers and services
• An IT Operation team to manage IT duties while you sleep

Wowrack will provide your company with the best managed services team out there. Contact us to learn more!

An Easy to Follow, Step by Step Process

It’s clear that by working with a team you have different experts taking care of different jobs. This will ensure that the right people are managing the right parts of your network at all times. No need to worry about things like, “this guy really doesn’t know what he’s doing…” but, instead, the peace of mind of that comes with each team member following a specific role in the process.

And, a managed services team should be able to guide you through this process from the very beginning. Here’s a general idea of how it will look:

• 1) Infrastructure Design: The MSP team will build you a unique infrastructure that answers all of those challenging questions, such as, “What server hardware do I use?” or “How do I distribute our application load efficiently around the globe?”
• 2) Implementation: That infrastructure will then by implemented by the Systems and Network Architect working closely with Deployment Team.
• 3) Networking: Whether you need to connect the private cloud you already have to a public cloud provider like AWS, or you need to build a secure private network from scratch that is able to span across the globe, your managed services team will help you do this with its network engineers.
• 4) Monitoring: Don’t worry if something goes wrong thereafter. Your managed services team will stay on top of it by setting up your network into different layers that can easily be monitored.
• 5) Security: Whatever compliance practices need to be followed will be implemented into your system, as well as a strong Disaster Recovery approach in case something goes wrong.

As the old saying goes, “two heads are better than one.” And, when it comes to your company’s network, you deserve the very best set of heads, dedicated to working together to give you exactly what you need.

The post Getting To Know Your Managed Services Team appeared first on Wowrack Blog.

All MSPs may offer you different cloud hosting options, disaster recovery solutions, dedicated servers, and compliance options — just to name a few. But, does it offer you these perks as well? And, how do these perks compare to the competition?

A Specifically-Designed Architecture vs. A General Infrastructure

No two companies are the same, and depending on what kind of business you are running, your system’s architecture needs to be appropriate. What works for one business likely won’t work for another, and therefore, you can’t settle for something generic. Before choosing an MSP, know whether or not they can design an architecture specifically for your business, or if they are just going to give you what they claim is a “one-size-fits-all” package?

A Combination of Different Hosting Options vs. No Flexibility

Not quite on the cloud yet? Or, are you on the public cloud but need more time before transitioning to a private option? What if you have features you like from public and private cloud options – a hybrid? A reliable MSP will give you the opportunity to combine various hosting options in addition to choosing features from different types of infrastructure programs. You shouldn’t have to settle for something that’s “close enough.”

The Ability to Host Customer-Owned Hardware vs. Being Required to Use Unfamiliar Tools

If you have hardware you’re already comfortable with, why give that up?  It’s one thing if your managed cloud hosting provider offers hardware options for you to use, but it’s another thing if they force you to use their stuff instead of your own.

A Customized Price vs. Set Prices

When your MSP takes different factors into account before giving you the price, you can feel good knowing that you’re paying for exactly what you’re getting. If an MSP only gives you the option to choose one package at one price, you could be spending a lot of money on features you don’t need. And, what about scalability? Don’t you want to be able to have the price adjusted fairly when business is slow or if business starts to boom? An MSP who only advertises set-prices can cause you to lose out long term.

Compliance Hosting Options vs. No Compliance Package

If you work in any industry that handles sensitive data, whether it be financial, medical, or personal, individuals and companies need to be protected by being compliant with the law. If this is a requirement for your company, then why get a package that doesn’t have compliance added to it? Otherwise, you’ll have to pay separately for something that could already be included.

Wowrack understands that there’s no “one-size-fits-all” when it comes to your cloud hosting options. Contact us to learn about the

Fully Managed Services vs. Periodic Check-Ups (At the Very Least)

You can’t really call it a managed cloud hosting provider if they aren’t actually “managing.” You should never have to feel like you’re ‘bothering’ your MSP because you have a question or something breaks and you need urgent attention. This is their job. If your network isn’t being fully managed and the only thing you’re getting is periodic check-ups, it kind of defeats the purpose.

One on One Support vs. Waiting in Line to Speak to a Representative

Speaking of managed services, in what form are you getting that management? Can you actually talk to an individual who will walk you through what you need to know and will the MSP send someone to your data center? Or, do you need to call up and deal with a different representative each time, who can’t get to the job until tomorrow?

When it seems like your prospective MSP if offering the whole package, ask yourself whether or not there’s more to be had.

The post Your MSP May Offer These Things, But Does It Offer These? appeared first on Wowrack Blog.

You don’t need any problems to give you a spook. Here’s a list of the scariest things that can happen to your network and how to face them
h21) Your System Could Get Hacked

One of the most common yet unwarranted things that can happen to your network is that your system gets hacked. Some hacks are indeed worse than others, and the more sensitive information your company deals with, the more likely that a hack could cause a lot of problems in your company’s future. Therefore, it’s really important that your managed cloud hosting provider is utilizing a secure server and that they are keeping up with the latest security measures. It’s also critical that there is a solid disaster recovery system in place if you do get hacked.

2) Your Company is Audited for Compliance

There’s nothing scarier than auditors coming to knock on your door to see if you’re being compliant with security standards! If your company works in the Payment Card Industry, the Healthcare Industry, or any other industry where you collect private information from your clients or customers, you can expect auditors to come by. And, if you’re not prepared with proof of your compliance…well, let’s just hope it won’t come to that.

The good news is that your managed hosting provider is supposed to be taking care of all compliance practices on their end. That being said, it’s still your responsibility to check in about this as often as possible.

3) Too Much Traffic Slows Down Your Server

What’s more frightening than your server not being able to handle all the traffic it’s getting? While having a lot of traffic is never a bad thing, it can actually be a nightmare if it’s slowing everything down. Because, as soon as a website becomes frustratingly slow, people are going to turn away.

The best way to handle this is by making sure your managed service provider has scalable options for whichever package you decide to go with. When it’s scalable, it gives you the option of expanding your service as your business grows.

Wowrack understands the fears you have when it comes to utilizing a managed cloud hosting provider.
Contact us to learn how we can provide you the most secure services out there!

4) You Lose Your Data in a Breach

So, let’s say a hack does happen or an IT error occurs that causes you to lose a lot of sensitive information. After you reboot your system, you go back in and realize that all your files are just GONE. Well, that’s indeed pretty terrifying.

But, as long as you have constant backup for your cloud and a disaster recovery system that’s ready to deploy at any time, this won’t be anything you have to worry about.

5) A Natural Disaster Causes Your Server’s Data Center to Shut-Down

And, last but not least, but probably the scariest of all, is if a natural disaster or storm of some kind physically knocks into the data center where your server is held. Obviously, something like this can’t be prevented.

Or, can it?

One of the most important things you should do when inquiring about a prospective managed cloud hosting provider is schedule a visit to one of their data centers. If it’s in a zone that’s in the path of Mother Nature’s wrath, it’s best to look elsewhere.

Don’t let your fears become a reality. Take the proper measures BEFORE signing a contract with an MSP.

The post 5 Scary Things That Can Happen to Your Network appeared first on Wowrack Blog.

You want a managed service provider that can help you handle everything you need to – from the little things to the big things…the REALLY big things.

Understanding a What a High Traffic Web Farm is

When managed cloud hosting providers give solutions to their clients, they need to be able provide a customized and specific solution based on that company’s needs. In many cases, start-ups and companies who expect to gain a lot of traffic from their site will need more than one server to handle all that traffic.

When more than one server is used to support a business’ network, it is known as a “Server Farm” or a “Server Cluster.” But, it’s not surprising to hear it called a “High Traffic Web Farm,” either. By having this specific type of setup, it allows websites to handle a constant amount of incoming user requests.

Just like we say “Two heads are better than one,” having multiple servers that work together to support your network is always the safest route, despite the fact that one server could likely do the job on its own.

Wowrack provides managed High Traffic Web Farms for companies that run a busy website. Contact us to learn how we can help you get your network on one ASAP!

The Benefits of Using a High Traffic Web Farm

Imagine you have tons and tons of people coming to your site. They are buying things, searching for information, jumping in on an online class or webinar — basically, there’s a lot going on pretty much at all times. Generally, businesses that have this kind of traffic are aware of the hardware, equipment, and human support that’s required of such activity and they eventually will look to a hosting provider for some “backup.”

Well, backup comes in many forms.

Sometimes, it’s in equipment, and sometimes it’s in the hands of experts who are keeping their eyes on things at all times.

And, sometimes, both of these backup solutions need to work together in order to make sure business runs smoothly, for both the company leaders and the users.

A High Traffic Web Farm, if managed properly, can have loads of benefits to these kinds of companies. For one, the utilization of more than one server means that a backup server can take over if the  primary server shuts down. Or, both servers can work simultaneously to handle all the traffic at once, so that the site doesn’t slow down and cause an inconvenience to the users.

Ultimately, a High Traffic Web Farm can be thought of as a “Load Balancer” which allows a site to, well, keep everything in balance as traffic continues to come in.

Sound simple enough? It is!

How Your  Business Can Incorporate a High Traffic Web Farm into Your Current Setup

If you think a High Traffic Web Farm would be a good option for your business, then a managed service provider can walk you through it. Before that happens, it’s important to understand that there are some different ways in which businesses can incorporate this technology into their current network setup.  For example, those companies that are already using their own server can post it on a hosting platform – the platform that’s generally managed by the provider. This is known as a colocation and is one of the most common ways to utilize this kind of service.

If you decide to go with this option, make sure your hosting provider can guarantee high performance quality and scalable options.

The post Can Your Provider Manage a High Traffic Web Farm? appeared first on Wowrack Blog.

But, as you start to use Internet more and more for your business, you might end up learning the hard way that there’s a lot more that goes into having good Internet — and good Internet service overall. Obviously, both need to be reliable in order to get the best bang for your buck. Of course, part of investing in reliable Internet service is knowing what you’re getting, or in some cases, not getting.

Do you understand how your Internet service really works? These points should help you make sure you’re asking the right questions to your prospective ISP.

The Right Fiber Technology

The way people have connected to the Internet has changed dramatically over the years. As technology has improved, Internet Service Providers want to make sure they are providing the best packages possible to their customers.

That being said, you want to make sure your ISP is using the right fiber technology. Fibers can allow for the fastest possible connection, up to 10gbps.

That’s fast.

But, is it right for your business?

What Do You Get in Addition to High-Speeds?

Okay, high-speed Internet — that’s good, right?

Yes, it is. But, speed isn’t everything.

When you’re investing in the support of an Internet Service Provider, you want to see what else you get in addition to that high speed. Is there cloud backup available, and to what degree? How much server space are you getting? And, what about actual SERVICE? Will your ISP be there when you need them, without having to pay extra?

When you take all those questions into account, it’s clear that just having fast connectivity speeds isn’t the only thing that makes Internet services “good.”

Wowrack offers scalable Internet packages at a competitive price. Contact us today to learn more.

Is it Scalable?

As we mentioned before, the quality of the Internet is one thing. But, the quality of the Internet service itself is another. Part of having good Internet service is understanding whether or not the package you’re getting is scalable.

Much like the advancement of Internet technology, your business’ needs can change overtime. So, you don’t want to sign a contract with an ISP that keeps you locked into the largest, most expensive package, especially if money is tight.

Business might become slow. Business might grow rapidly. The thing is, you never really know.

You want the ability to change your Internet package whenever you need to. Because, if it’s not scalable, it’s not good Internet.

There are tons of Internet Service Providers out there. But, what is it that they are really providing, and how does one company stand out from the competition?

The post Do You Understand How Good Internet Service Really Works? appeared first on Wowrack Blog.

Among a few other steps in the process, one of the main things to read up on are storage appliances. These appliances are a key tool when moving data from your local network to the cloud. Read on to learn more.

What Are the Basics of Storage Appliances?

A cloud storage appliance is a specific type of equipment whose main job is to move data which exists on a local site, over to the cloud. The goal of them is to make backup and recovery as simple as possible. Of course, with your cloud hosting provider handling all of this, you don’t even need to lift a finger to do what you need to do. You’ll also have this system set up so that you can access your storage in the cloud as if it’s on your own local system.

Who Storage Appliances are Good For?

Storage appliances obviously have a very specific purpose, but unlike other cloud storage features that may only be good for companies within certain industries, storage appliances can really be used by anyone. Any company who needs to access primary data, backup their files, or archive past files will find themselves using storage appliances in the midst of their cloud hosting lifecycle. You might not even realize you’re using these appliances, but as mentioned before, it’s important to know what’s going on behind the scenes.

What are the Different Kinds of Storage Appliances?

Even though this technology can be utilized to fit virtually any company, there a quite a few different types of storage appliances to choose from. When it comes to a business, you’ll choose your appliances based off of the size of your company’s network. If you’re just starting out, you might choose from an entry-level open appliances, and if you’re already running quite a large business, you might choose an enterprise grade solution. Either way, your managed cloud hosting provider will walk you through which option would be best for your company.

The Additional Benefits of Using Storage Appliances

Storage appliances help make business a lot easier, by making your data and files that much more accessible. They use less hardware than other forms of cloud transitioning devices, allow users to only pay what for they use, and are easy to log into from any device. Best of all, you can get the specific kinds of tools you need for your company. When it comes time to invest in the right storage appliances, you’ll work with your managed cloud hosting provider to engineer the best SAN solution for your cloud.

In conjunction with Wowrack’s cloud hosting services, we will help you find the best storage appliances for your network.  Contact us today to learn more.

The post Why Do You Need to be Using Storage Appliances? appeared first on Wowrack Blog.

Even after your potential hosting provider has sold you on their various packages, level of support, reliable data centers, and overall costs, there’s still one thing left you should ask.

And, that question is, how long has this hosting provider been around?

Why History is Important

Technology changes every minute, and the way computers were handled twenty, ten, or even five years ago, has changed dramatically. While on one hand it might be good to go with a hosting provider that’s new to the game and definitely up to date on all the new technology, they’re lacking that relevant and reliable history. On the other hand, a company who has been around for ages has been able to grow with the times. They’ve likely seen it all, and they have experience taking on new or different responsibilities.
After all, would you rather go with a doctor in his residency or one who has been healing patients for twenty plus years?

It Takes Time to Develop a Business

Just like your business is growing, your potential hosting provider has also grown a lot, especially if they’ve been around a while. In this time that they have grown, they have learned what they’re are good at and have had time to learn from their mistakes as well. A hosting provider has had time to build upon the different structures they’ve been using, build more data centers, follow steps to becoming compliant, and have overcome any obstacles they’ve hit along the way.

Like any new company, an up and coming hosting provider may not quite yet have the tools to support you in the best way possible, since they are still learning how to do many things themselves for the very first time.

Going with a hosting provider that has a long, qualified history, can leave you feeling more certain about who and what you’re investing in.

Wowrack has been around since 2001 and has an impressive timeline. Contact us today to learn more about how our long experience as a hosting provider can help your company more than the new guy on the block.

Compliance and Security is a Priority

As a hosting provider that collects sensitive information from their clients, it’s imperative that they follow compliance laws, and that they guide you into practicing compliance laws with your own clients, too. If one party isn’t practicing this, it can put the other at risk. But, how does one come to perfect their compliance?

After years of experience, of course.

Going with a hosting provider who has been around for quite some time will leave you with less concern in this department.

Experienced Staff and Expert Equipment

When a hosting provider company is just a start-up, they need time to figure out who they are. Time that you don’t have to waste. Even if they have the best staff and they’re working with great equipment, they haven’t yet had time or money to expand on what they can potentially  offer in the future. But, a hosting company who has been around for awhile, likely does. Additionally, a company with history can also provide reliable testimonies that you can use to help you make your decision.

So, who will you go with?

The post Why It’s Important that Your Hosting Provider Has Been Around a While appeared first on Wowrack Blog.

Doesn’t your company deserve the same protection? After all, how do you plan on keeping business moving when the unexpected happens?

The Cost of a Disaster on Your Business

It goes without saying that even the smallest of IT disruptions can wreak havoc on your business. According to research done by Information Week, out of the 200 companies surveyed, the total cost of any IT downtime was over 26 billion. That translates to $150,000 lost annually by each company.

Not only is it a financial loss, but it’s also a long-term catastrophe. Companies who experience any type of IT shut-down, whether it’s due to a hack or a power-outage, can leave a bad taste with their clients. Their clients are going to be less likely to trust this company in the future, and may go with a competitor instead. Ultimately, the effects are long term.

Therefore, it’s no question that having a plan when disaster strikes is imperative. Just choosing the right provider with a solid approach is a major step in the right direction.

What is DRaas and How It Can Specifically Help YOU

Disaster Recovery as a Service, or DRaas, is a unique solution to disaster recovery designed by an expert provider catered specifically to your company’s needs. No two businesses are the same, whether it’s the size of their clientele, the type of industry they’re in, or the profits made. This means that your DRaas solution will be quite different from the next guy’s.

Your provider will help plan and design, architect, and deploy your disaster recovery solution from start to finish. This way, you’re fully prepared if and when a problem occurs. It will be your very own, fully managed, custom environment, that you can rely on. And, it doesn’t need to be expensive, either, as your provider can help you find a solution that fits your budget just as well as everything else.

Wowrack offers budget-friendly and high-quality DRaas packages that will fit your company’s’ needs. Contact us today to learn more.

How Your Provider Keeps Business Continuity

The most important thing any DRaas does is allow your business to keep moving if you get stalled by an IT interruption, whatever that may be. Sometimes, these interruptions can take some time to discover and solve, and you don’t want to have to keep your business waiting around in the meantime. As mentioned before, that can result in huge loss for your business.

Wouldn’t it be better to pay a little more to have that peace of mind? Knowing that you’ll be okay even if disaster strikes is a huge weight lifted off your shoulders.

With the right DRaas solution, you provider goes through a series of steps to make sure your business continues running in the event of a disaster.

After your provider audits you in order to understand what your current IT situation stands, they’ll engineer a plan using their own internal procedures and tools that will be very similar to the infrastructure you’re already using. Once that’s taken care of, your provider will get ready to deploy that solution any time, anywhere, and will test it first to make sure it’s ready to go. Finally, your provider will constantly monitor your systems to make sure your data stays safe and your disaster recovery solution is ready to go at any moment.

With a DRaas, there’s no need to worry anymore. If something happens, your data will be protected and easy to retrieve in an instant. Meanwhile, your provider handles everything behind the scenes, so you can keep business going without IT interruptions getting in the way.

The post How Your Provider Can Help You When Disaster Strikes appeared first on Wowrack Blog.

That’s why Virtual Desktop Infrastructure is a great solution for your business. And, when you have an expert manage this infrastructure, you’ll be in for a real treat. Here’s how it works.

What is VDI?

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure, or VDI, gives you the opportunity to access the workings of your entire company with just a click of your button. Every task you need to handle can be configured from your smartphone, computer, or another device. This means if you’re on the go, leave your laptop behind, or need to sneak out of a movie theater to quickly take care of something, it can be done.

What Industries is a Virtual Desktop Infrastructure Ideal For?

Any company could really benefit from a VDI, but there are certain companies within specific industries where it may be more ideal. For example, one industry you may see VDI is within construction and project management companies. These companies need to keep their workers, contractors, investors, and anyone else who may be involved, kept in the loop of what’s going on. With VDI, it’s very unlikely that any form of miscommunication will occur.

Additionally,  tasks can sometimes change from day-to-day, and if you want to stay organized, a VDI will help you with that. That being said, you don’t want just any VDI solution. You need a VDI that has an environment properly deployed and managed thereafter by your provider, as well as training services for you as the user, and of course, security.

Wowrack offers flexible plans for your virtual desktop infrastructure, which are fully scalable and reliable. Contact us today to learn more.

What Can I Expect if I Start Using a VDI for my Business?

The great thing about a virtual desktop infrastructure is that it can be designed to cater to the specific needs of your business. No matter how large or small your business is, any project that’s important to you should be equally as important to your provider. In addition to making work on the go a possibility, you can also expect these benefits from a virtual desktop infrastructure:

• Real-time markup capability on construction plans.
• Instant updates on blueprints and plans, so everyone is up to date.
• Lots of storage space (scalability).
• High performance rates.
• The ability to instantly message your team.
• Instant break/fix solutions if something goes wrong.
• Multi-cloud connection abilities if you’re already deployed.
• Maintenance when you need it.
• End-to-end, compliant security.

Does it sound like a VDI is right for you? Give it a try, and decide for yourself. It’ll be the best decision you made for your company.

The post What Is Virtual Desktop Infrastructure and How Can It Benefit Your Business? appeared first on Wowrack Blog.