Build vs. Buy

You’ve got to expand your current IT environment or build out a new environment.  The age old question….do you build it out on your own, or go with a managed hosting model? 

Depending on the size of your business, “building” your own environment may mean building a data center, or colocating in a third party facility. “Buying” refers to a managed hosting or cloud computing model where you “host” your applications and systems with a third party in a fully managed arrangement.

Before you make the decision, it’s very important to evaluate all facets of your business.  It’s not merely a budget decision – it’s about your availability needs, compliance requirements, expansion plans, security and overall growth plans.  It’s also important to fully understand everything that’s involved from management and operations and budget perspective for each option. 

With the “build” or colocation option, you’re responsible for the following elements:

Procurement of the IT infrastructure, including receiving and installation via hardware reseller or vendor

Procurement of the network connectivity and installation into the cabinet or cage

Monitoring of all systems 24x7x365

Supporting, maintenance and replacement of all devices 24x7x365

Planning and scaling the configuration when appropriate

Management of staff and multiple vendors (colocation center, hardware provider, network provider)

There are also hidden costs and non-operational activities in a traditional colocation scenario, including:

Employee resources (management of staff dedicated to the hosting infrastructure; insurance; weekend, evening/overnight and holiday coverage; certifications and ongoing training)

Management of vendor relationships

Response to natural disasters

Security and compliance requirements (SAS-70, HIPAA, PCI, etc.)

Maintenance of depreciating assets

Large capital expenditures with growth of business

Slow implementation times

Hosted Solutions provides managed hosting and cloud computing options that remove several operational, management and cost elements from the equation. 

Hi-Touch Managed Hosting from Hosted Solutions

We offer a full suite of managed hosting and cloud computing options that are ideal for businesses that don't want to be slowed by the complexity and expense of managing IT infrastructure. Our solutions include the facilities, infrastructure, licensing, monitoring, management, sparing, process, and associated SLA from the OS layer down.   This model offers a much higher level of support and availability for applications that are mission-critical.

Hi-Touch Managed Hosting from Hosted Solutions encompasses:

The physical space

Power to the cabinet/cages (conditioned power, battery backup, and backup power generators) and network connection backed by a Service Level Agreement (SLA)

Controlled environment (redundant cooling, fire suppression)

Security (physical security, video surveillance, guard-monitored floor)

Complete infrastructure and supply chain management

Virtualization management and administration

Best practice configuration

Licensing and support contracts

Dedicated Support Team for maintenance and day-to-day operations 24x7x365

Industry-leading SLAs

Implementation and deployment capabilities

Administration of the operating systems and applications

Administration of the network devices (firewalls, load balancers, IDS, etc.)

Managed multi-tenant backup & storage infrastructure

Customers who choose Managed Hosting typically do so because they don't want to be bogged down with the day-to-day routine of server management, and need a higher level of support and availability for applications that are mission-critical.

As you evaluate which option is best for your business, think about your business needs today and in the future, your application design and requirements, capacity and growth needs, compliance requirements, storage, server, and network requirements, budget and available staff.