Virtualization Options for SMBs (Part II)

Click here to read “Virtualization Options for SMBs (Part I)”

To virtualize or not to virtualize? That is the question…

I’m always telling potential clients that the primary difference between their company and large corporations is just size. Their demand for performance, uptime and flexibility is the same along with many of the applications in use. So why shouldn’t small businesses use the same tools as the big companies and make IT more efficient and far less complicated?

As we discussed in Part I of “Virtualization Options for SMBs”, vendors are beginning to focus more on the SMB space by providing the tools and programs to organizations responsible for providing the support that small businesses require.

In Part II, I want to focus on the topic from a more broad perspective and not just servers or applications. I’m thinking of virtualizing IT as a whole. This can include…

Network Infrastructure

Again I’m taking some liberty with the concept of virtualization; however Hardware as a Service (HaaS) can streamline how the network infrastructure is handled. Using firewalls as an example, these devices are critical to securing businesses from threats found on the Internet. Most companies purchase and install firewalls. So long as nothing happens, these devices are largely left alone until a failure occurs.  The truth is that firewalls are dynamic components on the network that need constant monitoring and maintenance. Firmware updates become available throughout the year and need to be applied ensuring that security concerns and known stability issues have been resolved.

With the Hardware as a Service model, an IT solutions advisor can supply you with the physical equipment to provide the complete network protection along with remote access, content filtering and perimeter antivirus. These services are then paired with 24×7 monitoring, hardware replacement and regular maintenance at a low monthly cost, with the service provider taking full accountability.

IT Administration and Support

Many small businesses today rely on shared resources within the organization or solo consultants to provide user and infrastructure support. These businesses are too small in many cases to require full time internal IT personnel. However, resources assigned or consultants called in are stretched thin leaving gaps in service. To avoid costly downtime and frustrated employees, companies should seek out partnerships with larger providers with their interests aligned. With relationships such as these, organizations can focus on tasks that work to promote growth by allowing employees to do what they were actually hired for.

Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity

Disaster Recovery (DR) and Business Continuity (BC) are both on the minds of big business. However if you search through the Internet or other technology and insurance publications, you will find that nearly 50% of small businesses have no DR or BC plans in place.  Even worse, many small business owners never even think about these topics. They are focused more on selling their products and supporting their customers. While bringing in revenue and keeping customers happy are both important to maintaining business, one disaster could bring down an entire operation in minutes. Then what?

What’s a disaster?  The word itself makes one think that this needs to be something so earth shattering as a fire, flood or other natural calamity (which there seems to be no shortage of).  Business owners need to expand their definition to other scenarios that are far more likely to occur, like a computer virus capable of destroying data or computer systems, a disgruntled employee deleting information that has not been properly protected, or even a snow storm that could keep employees out of the office for days.

This topic points back to the IT Administration and Support section. IT service providers assist their customers with the creation of a working technology DR/BC plan that can be tested and executed in the event of a disaster.  Many providers also have data protection services that simplify the operation of backing up data without ever needing the manual intervention found in popular tape-based solutions. These services also include secure off site copies of the data to ensure that it can be recovered in the event of a site disaster. These solutions easily meet many regulations with regards to the protection of private information.

To virtualize or not to virtualize?

So the answer to the opening question….in most, if not all cases, the answer is yes.  The degree to which a business decides to virtualize is determined on a case by case basis.  Many of the topics covered are applicable to the majority of organizations today; however it is important for small businesses to align themselves with a technology partner like Thrive that has the resources and business acumen to guide them down the appropriate path.

If you’re interesting in finding out if a virtualized environment is right for your business, contact Thrive Networks today for a Free IT Evaluation.

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