First Business Server Tips

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Many small businesses don't have an IT department or anyone experienced enough to handle
even basic IT tasks like backup, system restoration, patching or updates. In most cases, they rely
on a local business partner (typically an IT consultant or local IT support company) to handle these
tasks.
Unfortunately, many small business IT solutions on the market today exacerbate the situation.
Their complexity...
requires the need for ever more powerful hardware
results in frequent system crashes and downtime for upgrades
compounds security problems
necessitates frequent system restorations
increases the investment in resource to upgrade systems and fix problems
Whats needed is a new generation of 'small business servers' that deliver all of the essential IT &
technology services for smaller businesses but without the usual costs or hassle.
Challenges in supporting micro and small business customers
To stay in business small businesses need help with basic IT chores, which are becoming more
mission critical than ever as they grow more time consuming to deliver.
Just look at business continuity and disaster recovery in small businesses. A study by Gartner
found that only one third of small businesses surveyed said they were prepared for a disaster
within the next 12 months.
In other words two thirds of all small businesses are not prepared for a disaster or protected. The
reason, in most cases, is that small businesses don't have the IT skills of solutions to perform
common tasks like backing up critical data or developing a way to restore systems that crash or
become damaged when a pipe breaks or there is a fire, flood or other disaster.
Small businesses also need help just backing up and restoring files when someone accidentally
deletes them. Such deletions in small businesses are quite common.
Whilst everyone understands the need for data to be backed up, what many don't realise is how
expensive and difficult it actually is with traditional solutions. In fact, the traditional approach to
backing up data is a time consuming and resource intensive task. The normal procedure requires
tapes to be rotated, in the right order and taken off site for secure storage.
Plug In, Switch on & Start Working
Security within smaller businesses is also an issue. Hackers today are after confidential
information about businesses and their clients to commit fraud and identify theft. They employ
increasingly sophisticated attacks that may use socially engineered phishing email messages.
These spam messages are designed to fool even savvy computer users in to thinking they are
from legitimate sources. An unsuspecting user might click on malicious executable file or URL link
to a poisoned web site and automatically download malicious software.
In their pursuits hackers increasingly exploit new vulnerabilities in applications and Windows
operating systems as a means of infecting computers. To battle this problem, software vendors
issue frequent system updates and security patches that must be installed quickly to minimize
exposure to each new threat.
In 2008, Microsoft alone issues 43 critical, 24 important and two moderate fixes, according to
security experts. The previous year saw a similar amount, including 49 critical, 23 important and
five moderate updates. Other application and browser vendors had numerous updates as well.
Again, many small businesses don't have the IT expertise to track all of these patches or the time
to install them. Beyond security patches, there are typically many operating system updates that
must also be applied. Such installations are often time consuming.
Unfortunately many of these fixes incur downtime, which no business likes. For example, in many
situations, a business must first test a patch or upgrade to be sure it does not cause problems. If
the test goes well, planning must take place to be sure the changes are made at a time that least
inconveniences its workers. Again, many businesses are looking for help with these matters from
their business partners. The challenge for the business partner is that all of these tasks (testing,
planning, applying etc.) are all time and labour intensive.
Problems with traditional Small Business Server Solutions
Even the smallest business today requires certain basic capabilities. Workers need to share files
and printers. Additionally, their data must be protected and their systems must be secure.
The burden on the business partner to provide these services typically requires the use of multiple
solutions from different vendors. The mix often includes a server OS and file system from one
vendor, backup software from another, and security products including firewall, anti-virus, antispyware
and anti-spam software etc from even more vendors.
Managing such a mix can add to a business partner's workload. Each product must be managed
with its own administrative system, and each must be updated on its own. There might also be
conflicts when trying to get different vendors products to work together.
Additionally supporting such a mix of applications might introduce security issues. For example, if
a firewall and anti-spam solution are not in sync with regard to the level of protection each affords,
one might work in detriment of the other.
The end result when using multiple solutions is that the time investment per client grows as the
complexity increases. It also increases the time investment a business partner must make in
learning/training. Their staff must be knowledgeable about many discreet products in order to
support their small business client's workers.
Compounding matters, the traditional choices have had their problems. Solutions designed
specifically for smaller businesses often could not scale to support a business growth. For this
reason, many of the solutions commonly used are not designed specifically for small businesses.
But this only adds to the management burden placed on the business partner because they must
customize or scale down these solutions to meet the needs of small businesses.
Additionally, such solutions are often bloated with features not needed in smaller businesses. For
instance, directory services might be overkill for a company with fewer than twenty people. Yet, its
administration is as time consuming for twenty as it is for one hundred or more.
Similarly, an enterprise solution might be so narrow focused that it lacks key features for small
business, thus requiring a patch work of solutions to meet a business's basic needs. For instance,
a firewall might need a third party anti-spam or anti-virus solution to provide more complete
protection.
In either case, trying to force fit an enterprise solution into a small business environment can add
to the management workload.
What's needed: Desirable characteristics?
With these concerns in mind, there is obviously a need for an alternative to the enterprise
patchwork solutions that are currently being cobbled together and used in small business today.
Any solution that addresses these pain points must be designed specifically for small businesses
and the business partners who serve them. It must enable customers do email, create and share
documents, centrally manage files, store and secure business data, control access to information,
connect offices, employees and partners whilst protecting their network and systems from
unwanted disruptions and intrusions.
It should be less complex so that it requires less IT support than traditional solutions. Additionally
the solution should be Linux based. The reason: Linux is stable and reliable. This would simplify
management and make solution subject to less downtime than some alternative solutions.
Additionally being Linux based reduces many security problems, as far fewer attacks, generally
speaking, are aimed at Linux than traditional operating systems.
Furthermore, most operating systems are packed with drivers, utilities and services that are
seldom used. An ideal solution would only use the parts of the Linux Kernel that are needed to
perform the desired functions. This would reduce potential vulnerabilities.
To simplify matters further, the solution should be very easy to deploy. For example, it should be
offered as a simple plug and play solution in the form of an appliance. And the solution should
support remote management to troubleshoot and correct small problems, as well as recover from
a system crash.
A solution with these characteristics will save a business partner valuable time that would
otherwise be needed to administer solutions at every client's site. This saves time and money. It
allows a business provider to provide services in a more economically efficient manner to existing
customers. And it frees up time to solicit and support new businesses.
Enter: An affordable solution designed specifically for small businesses
Small Business Server Appliances are a new breed of Small Business Server Solution they are
delivered delivered as a plug and play hardware appliance, everything is included. Its pricing
structure is simple and straight forward. Business partners do not have to deal with multiple and
complex licensing agreements as is the case with many alternative offerings where you are
required to switch platforms (or upgrade hardware) above 75 and 100 users, or when email and
data storage requirements reach a certain limit.
Small Business Server Appliances offers file and print sharing; firewall, anti-virus, anti-spam
protection; email, calendaring, contacts, tasks; secure remote access; data backup and disaster
recovery features; office productivity tools; and automated system updates.
Everything is included within the appliance as a single solution. And business partners can use the
platform to deploy other applications that a client might need.
The high performance appliance hardware allows a powerful solution to be delivered in a small
footprint. This also provides the ability to scale solutions as a clients business grows up to 500
users without artificial licensing barriers. Furthermore, the appliance format also makes the
solution very easy to deploy, typically it can be up and running in about 20 minutes.
Setting the solution apart: Autonomic features and benefits
Small Business Server Appliances are designed to run on their own at a customer's site with little
intervention from the business partner. To accomplish this we make use of autonomic features
that automatically handle many routine tasks and can correct many problems on its own as they
arise. These autonomic features ensure that the small business stays up and running and its
systems and data are protected, all while off loading time consuming IT tasks from business
partners.
For example Small Business Server Appliances comes pre built and pre configured and can
usually be implemented in around twenty minutes. There is no monitor or keyboard, the admin
interface is accessed via an IP address securely through HTTPS which enables you to manage
the appliance remotely. In contrast, alternative solutions often require the business partner to load
5 to 15 CD's to get a system running initially.
Small Business Server Appliances also has the ability to self manage automated backups to a disc
based storage device (on or off site), to a hosted backup service in addition to traditional tape or
USB based storage devices. A few Small Business Server Appliances also provide the option for
integrated hot swap backup discs to be used which enable data to be backed up continually
throughout the day.
Summary
With Small Business Server Appliances, business partners get an easy to implement and easy to
manage solution that has specifically been designed for smaller businesses.
Small Business Server Appliances come pre built and ready to be used this solution offers a rapid
time to value.
All of the attributes of Small Business Server Appliances pay dividends twice over. First, the small
business client is happy, because they can do their jobs without computer related interruptions.
And second, a business partner can deliver a high level of service while dedicating minimal IT
resources and staff to each client.
The autonomic features of the solution reduce the time and resources a business partner must
invest to begin work with a new client and to support existing small business customers. For
example very little training is required to become familiar with the solution, so business partners
quickly leverage the solution and immediately become more profitable.
Sharp Technology is a UK based provider of Small Business Server Appliances
[http://ping.fm/FfZCE] that deliver all of the essential IT and technology services to
smaller businesses (typically 1 to 100 users) but without the usual cost or hassle. We supply to
organisations throughout England, Scotland, Wales & Ireland and internationally in the US,
Canada & India.
Further information can be obtained from out website at [http://ping.fm/XJSLv]
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First Business Server Tips
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