In a small business, the standard peer-to-peer networking model used in homes and very small offices eventually becomes insufficient once user demands, such as access to shared storage drives and printers, increase beyond of their capabilities. Your business may need a dedicated server for a variety of reasons. Mostly, companies use dedicated servers because it is the best option for large-scale operations. However, small businesses can also take advantage of a dedicated server if their profits are high enough to justify using it. See, in the hosting business genre, companies generally choose the hosting option that is closest to their financial support. A small business might go for shared resources, but there is always fear and doubt to deal with in the back of your mind.
You know you need a dedicated server when…
Manage email for an increasing number of people. Many small businesses are starting to use free cloud-hosted email services like Gmail™ or Yahoo!® Mail. While they get the job done for offices with few touch points (1-5 seats), manageability dwindles to as the number of seats increases. Deploy a dedicated server running Microsoft Exchange to meet those email needs and more. An Exchange server removes your dependency on web-based email clients and allows you to easily add inboxes for an ever-growing office.
Multiple users need to access the same data. Even small businesses need a centralized data storage location. A dedicated storage server is a type of server equipped with a large storage capacity and the software to manage the data.
Start using applications that require a secure database. A database stores information that programs can access and update. Storing important data on an unsecured storage solution, such as a USB drive, introduces risks to your systems.
Management of shared resources in the workspace. Printers, optical disc drives, and programs are some examples of shared resources. Servers can take over a router’s print sharing features and also allow the use of older, unsupported printers. While a drive attached to one computer can be shared with the network, it may have a different drive letter for other computers. A server can assign a shared drive letter to each client computer.
One computer to do the work of multiple systems. A server can take over the functions of some devices, such as the router, NAS device, backup storage unit, and firewall. With a server, you can virtualize the functions of multiple devices so that they run simultaneously on the same machine.
If you’re still not sure about your decision, read on for five reasons why a dedicated server might be the best option for your business.
Best Performance
A dedicated server provides a dedicated, isolated platform with no competition for resources. It is for your business use and yours alone. This means that your dedicated server will run faster and more efficiently than a cloud-based option, which isn’t exclusive; the resources of a cloud-based provider are shared among all its users.
Best value for money
Dedicated web servers are the most cost effective option and of course value for money is an important factor in any business decision. While it may seem more expensive than a cloud-based server, a dedicated server offers a much higher amount of resources, and the price is very reasonable once you realize the true value this type of solution offers.
Ability to purchase specific server hardware
With a dedicated web server, you are free to choose your own specifications. You can select exactly what type of hardware you want based on the particular requirements of your website and its content and traffic.
easily customizable
There is a lot of flexibility in what you can do with a dedicated web host. It’s a customizable solution, which is what you want as a growing and changing business.
Compliance and security benefits
A dedicated server is a single tenant solution, not a shared solution like a cloud-based server. If your business places great importance on compliance and security (and it should), then a dedicated server is the only option for you.
Here are some of the key reasons why you should go for a dedicated server. Apart from these, you can also enjoy enhanced technical support by opting for a dedicated hosting service as a group of experienced and skilled professionals will help you solve all kinds of technical issues easily and quickly.