Choosing the right type of hosting for your organization can be a very real challenge. After all, there are more options out there today than you can shake a stick at. Should you go with the cloud? What about dedicated hosting? Is managed hosting better for your business? What’s the deal with colocation? Really, each type of hosting differs significantly from the other, and there’s no one size fits all solution that applies to all, or even most, companies. You’ll need a few more details to really decide between the options.
Cloud Hosting
The “cloud” is all the rage these days. It seems like everything is in the cloud today, from backups to storage to server hosting. How does cloud hosting compare to other options out there? With cloud hosting, the server hardware is provided by the hosting company. The host is also responsible for maintaining that hardware. With that being said, you are responsible for software maintenance on the server, and for backup and restore of your data, unless the company offers disaster recovery as a service. You also only receive a portion of the server resources such as processing power and RAM. With that being said, you can scale your resources up or down as needed, and the price is generally in the mid-range.
Managed Hosting
With managed hosting, the name really sort of says it all. The host is responsible for pretty much everything, from server maintenance to software patching and backup/restore of your information. You have full access to all the resources on the server, but scaling up or down is not possible (as you already control all the resources on that server – the only option would be to invest in another server if you need to scale up). It’s also one of the most expensive options out there, even if you opt for the hybrid cloud managed hosting platform. Saying that, you have no additional costs if there are hardware or software issues that need to be resolved.
Dedicated Hosting
Dedicated hosting is almost managed hosting, but not quite. The hosting company will be responsible for both hardware maintenance and providing that hardware in the first place. However, you will be responsible for all software maintenance, upgrades and patches. You will also be responsible for your own backups. You do gain access to all the resources on the server, though, and there are no costs for hardware troubleshooting or replacement, as that is handled by the hosting company. The cost is more than what you’ll pay with colocation, but less that what you’ll have to shell out for managed hosting, or even cloud hosting in some cases. That makes it a good option for organizations who need a bit more than what’s available with cloud hosting in terms of resources, but don’t want to go the DIY route of colocation.
Colocation
In many ways, colocation is a lot like having your own in-house server. The only real difference is that it is located somewhere else (a vital consideration for disaster prevention and recovery). With colocation, you are responsible for providing both the hardware and the software. You’re also responsible for all maintenance, upgrades, patches and all the rest, although you can pay for the colocation provider to do this for you. The company is responsible for backups and restoration, though, and you do have access to all the resources of the server, which makes sense since it’s your property.
The only way to scale your resources up is to invest in another server and have it collocated as well, though. Finally, this is perhaps the most affordable option out there, although it can become costly if you opt for more bells and whistles, such as paying the colocation provider to troubleshoot hardware issues or deal with software glitches. With all that being said, colocation providers aren’t all cut from the same mold. Some of them offer only a location for your server. Others can offer additional services at higher price points, all the way up to what would be comparable from a managed hosting provider.
So, which one is right for you? Really, it comes down to knowing your needs. How much processing power and storage do you need? Would it be more affordable in the long run to own your hardware outright, or would it be better to have the inherent scalability offered by cloud hosting? How hands-on do you want to be with your server? For instance, managed service gives you the chance to really focus on growing your business while letting the professionals deal with any IT trouble that might occur. However, the higher monthly cost may offset those benefits for your organization.
With that being said, most companies today take a hybrid approach. They don’t send all of their IT services off-site, nor do they do it all in house. Many choose to keep some element of their computing services on their premises while taking advantage of the solutions offered by colocation and cloud hosting companies. This allows them to reduce some costs, while maintaining a better degree of control over business-critical applications and data.
Perhaps the best option is to work with a service provider that can offer a range of different solutions, from the cloud to colocation to managed dedicated hosting. This allows you to stay with the same provider as your business grows and as your needs change. Of course, this does require that you do some research to compare the different providers out there, their track records, and how they can benefit your business. With some legwork, savvy comparisons of apples to apples, and a firm understanding of what your company needs right now and what it will need down the road, you can make an informed decision.