Small Business 101: How to choose a Server in 3 Simple Steps

Posted on Dec 17 2015 - 1:55pm by Editor

While there are some measures and investment decisions that remain unique to a particular firm or industry, there others that have universal merit in the commercial world. Take the procurement of a server, for example, which will drive your online operation and ensure that you have a functional website, adequate data storage and the necessary infrastructure to support any e-commerce sales. Should you be left without a viable server (or choose the wrong one to suit your specific business needs) you may find that you lose ground to more informed and considered rivals.

how to choose Server

 

How to choose a server for your small Business in 3 simple steps

As a small business-owner, there is little margin for error so it is even more crucial that you select the right server for your needs. With this in mind, here is a brief guide to point you in the right direction: –

Start with the Basics

Let’s start with the basics, as there are several fundamental pieces of information that will empower you to choose the right server. Visually, there is little difference between a small server and a high-end desktop computer, but it would be wrong to invest in the latter if you own a small business with even a small team of employees. This is because a PC is designed for a single user and equipped with a simple operating system, for example, servers run a dedicated platform that supports multiple, simultaneous users and a huge number of interactive applications.

It is crucial to keep this in mind from the outset,as it will help you to prioritise your needs and compare the market realistically.

Consider the Cloud Alternative

At this juncture, it may be wise to consider Cloud-based server solutions. While this solution may not be ideal for everyone, Cloud servers can be successfully used by sole traders or exceptionally small businesses with a skeleton staff. Many people select Cloud servers due to their suitability with collaboration and virtual interaction, while their low-cost is also a huge boon to entrepreneurs. There are huge limitations with this solution in the current market, however, with considerable downtime caused by excess use and a lack of security two of the most prominent.

If your firm handles large swathes or data or manages particularly sensitive information, it may be wise to consider more traditional alternatives.

Choose a server based on your own specific needs

By now, you should be at a point in time when you have a clear understanding of the options available to you. From here, you need to embark on a rigorous selection process based on your own specific needs, or more accurately those of your business. Smaller companies with minimal requirements such as file sharing and automated client back-up can invest in basic home or refurbished servers from suppliers such as Pinnacle Data, for example, whereas those that need large-scale virtualisation capabilities or host vast data sets may need something a little more robust (such as a tower, rack or blade server).