Hardware-as-a-Service (HaaS) is not a new concept. Similar to Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), where you pay a monthly fee to a service provider in order to use a piece of software, HaaS lets you do the same to use state-of-the-art hardware. But what benefits does it offer your business?

Big savings
For SMBs, cash flow is a crucial matter. HaaS is essentially like leasing hardware equipment so you don’t have to pay for all of it upfront. What’s more, you pay a fixed monthly cost for all the maintenance and upkeep you need. This allows you to turn a big capital investment into a small, manageable operational expense that leaves you money for more important projects.

Advanced tech
It’s not easy for small businesses to catch up with the latest technology since they have limited funds. By using HaaS, your MSP gives you cutting-edge hardware and ensures they get the most recent upgrades so you can run resource-intensive applications and work efficiently.

Expert maintenance
Hardware must be managed and maintained, but small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) often lack the proper expertise, labor, and time to do so. Fortunately, HaaS providers have a team of hardware specialists on staff, ready to fix and proactively manage your equipment for you around the clock.

Flexible service
As time progresses, your organization grows and changes, which means your IT needs will also evolve. HaaS makes it easy for you to add or decommission hardware when your operation grows or scales down.

Robust security
Software isn't the only thing that needs to be up to date to defend against the latest cyberattacks -- your hardware does, too. HaaS providers update hardware that may be susceptible to cyberthreats. For instance, they may upgrade outdated WiFi routers to make sure hackers can’t infiltrate your network and steal information.

Thinking about switching to Haas but not sure where to start? Why not contact us today? We provide a variety of HaaS solutions tailored to suit any business’s needs. Tell us your IT requirements and let’s see what we can do.

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Servers are the heart of most modern SMBs.  And with the strain that most businesses put on their servers, one of the most important maintenance variables is temperature management. Understanding why keeping your servers cool is vitally important and could save you from an expensive crash, troubling data loss, or reduced hardware reliability.

How does temperature affect my servers?

High temperatures in server hardware can result in different types of damage. A server that completely crashes for any reason results in costly data loss and service interruptions, but the unbiased advisory organization Uptime Institute warns that overheating that doesn’t always result in total failure. Every 18 degrees higher than 70 degrees Fahrenheit, hardware reliability decreases by 50%. This decrease in reliability can be just as, if not more, expensive for your hardware budget in the long run.

Cooling methods can’t just be implemented and forgotten; they must be closely monitored to ensure the health of your server hardware in the short and long term. Options for temperature management range from simple low-budget solutions to expensive outsourced alternatives. Determining your server management budget will greatly depend on what types of methods you intend to implement at your SMB.

Cooling methods

Which system you use to cool your server largely depends on how much power your hardware is using. The more watts a computer needs to operate, the harder it’s working. This number will determine the scope of your temperature management needs.

For example, PCWorld says passive temperature control is adequate for any equipment operating at less than 400 watts. This includes simple solutions like positioning your server away from walls, low ceilings, cable clusters, and anything else that can block hot air from dissipating naturally.

For computers using between 400 and 2,000 watts, strategic ventilation becomes a necessity. Adding passive ventilation is viable up to 700 watts, but fan-assisted ventilation will be required above that and up to 2,000 watts. With the increased power consumption, temperatures will rise, and air movement needs to be more closely managed. At this stage, simple vent and oscillating fans will suffice.

Anything higher than 2,000 watts needs dedicated cooling solutions. This means air-cooled units to actively reduce server room temperature. Depending on the size and arrangement of the space, a simple self-contained unit may be enough to reduce temperatures to acceptable ranges. But if you’re not sure, you should schedule a consultation with a vendor to consider more drastic cooling and monitoring methods.

Keeping your servers running at ideal temperatures means smoother data operations, lower hardware budgets, and one less thing to worry about at your SMB. As your business continues to grow and develop, keep close tabs on increasing server loads — it could save you from devastating data loss. If you need more detailed advice about server management, or have any other questions about your hardware setup, contact us today.

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Virtualization has become the cornerstone for almost all businesses today -- and for good reason. It is the process of creating a virtual version of a physical IT device, enabling businesses to utilize their resources more effectively, while reducing the costs that come with managing and maintaining their infrastructure. Virtualization can be done in many different ways. In this article, we’ll give you an overview of what can be virtualized, and how it can benefit your business.

Application virtualization

This is a process where applications are virtualized and delivered from a server to the end user’s device, such as laptops, smartphones, and tablets. So instead of logging into their computers at work, users will be able to gain access to the application right from their device, provided an Internet connection is available. This is particularly popular for businesses that require the use of their applications on the go.

Desktop virtualization

Similar to application virtualization mentioned above, desktop virtualization separates the desktop environment from the physical device and configured as a “virtual desktop infrastructure” (VDI). One of the biggest advantages of desktop virtualization is that users are able to access all their personal files and applications on any PC, meaning they can work from anywhere without the need to bring their work computer. It also lowers the cost of software licensing and updates. Maintenance and patch management are simple, since all of the virtual desktops are hosted at the same location.

Hardware virtualization

Perhaps the most common type of virtualization today, hardware virtualization is made possible by a virtual machine manager (VM) called the “hypervisor”. The hypervisor creates virtual versions of computers and operating systems and consolidates them into one large physical server, so that all the hardware resources can be utilized more efficiently. It also enables users to run different operating systems on the same machine simultaneously.

Network virtualization

Network virtualization combines all physical networking equipment into a single, software-based resource. It also divides available bandwidth into multiple, independent channels, each of which can be assigned to servers and devices in real time. Businesses that would benefit from network virtualization are ones that have a large number of users and need to keep their systems up and running at all times. With the distributed channels, your network speed will increase dramatically, allowing you to deliver services and applications faster than ever before.

Storage virtualization

This type of virtualization is very easy and cost-effective to implement, since it involves compiling your physical hard drives into a single cluster. Storage virtualization is handy when it comes to planning for disaster recovery, since the data stored on your virtual storage can be replicated and transferred to another location. By consolidating your storage into a centralized system, you can eliminate the hassles and costs of managing multiple storage devices.

Integrating virtualization into your business can be a complex and confusing process. Ideally you should enlist the help of experts to get the job done right. If you’re looking for top-quality and reliable virtualization solutions, why not get in touch with our professionals today? We’ll make your virtualization experience a quick and seamless one.

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