Businesses of all sizes, from multinational corporations to small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) — amass and analyze mountains of data in an effort to improve products, services, expenditure, and profitability. Because of this, there is a growing need for servers and server space.
With limited resources being a common theme, many SMBs turn to server virtualization for their data storage, backup, and processing needs.
What is server virtualization?
Server virtualization is the use of software on a physical server to create multiple virtual instances called partitions. These partitions are like servers themselves, and they are capable of running independently even if they are stored in the same physical server. So instead of having an entire machine running on one instance of an operating system (OS), you can configure one machine to run several different server instances, each with its own OS configurations.
What are the advantages?
Faster disaster recovery
With virtualization, your business can be up and running within hours of a disaster. Older infrastructures tend to take longer, especially when data backups are stored off-site and the current location has no internet connectivity because of the incident. In worse cases, disaster recovery may not be possible at all, particularly if all iterations of data are destroyed.
On the other hand, you can configure your virtualized server to run with a cloud-based data storage and backup setup. This way, you can be assured that your business information will be protected and ready for use whenever and wherever you need it.
Related article: Why Does Your Business Need Data Recovery Services?
Better business agility
Virtualized environments make businesses more agile because they’re designed to work on multiple scales of operation. This means that they should work the same whether they’re serving one client or if they’re serving a hundred. All that matters is that resources (in this case, server storage space and processing power) are allocated properly and in an optimized manner.
This ability to scale up and down efficiently is a great boon for small businesses that are on the up and up, as well as for larger businesses that operate on a seasonal basis. It’s also great for enterprises that experience some downscaling.
Cost and space savings
Virtualizing your server will help you maximize its use. Just imagine, instead of having four servers run with one instance each that puts each server at 25% operating capacity, you can simply virtualize one server into four partitions, each handling one instance and putting your one server at 100% operating capacity. This will cut down overhead costs, server maintenance costs and capital costs. After all, it’s cheaper to maintain one server than four. On top of this, you’ll get to free up some space for your other needs.
Better ROI
With streamlined expenditure, better disaster coverage, and optimized asset utilization, you get better returns on investment (ROI). Instead of your capital investments requiring several years of use to be justified, you can enjoy instant returns when you get Technology-as-a-Service (TaaS) solutions from a reputable managed services partner (MSP) like outsourceIT.
Our TaaS doesn’t just take care of deployment — we start from the ground up to make sure that your tech solution, such as virtualization, is executed in a smart and effective manner.
Reduced carbon footprint
This is a bonus benefit, and it helps business owners — especially the environmentally-conscious ones — justify going the virtualization route for their company’s server use. It’s a great way for businesses to join the growing movement for corporate and enterprise environmental responsibility. Its reach is wider than it seems; a 2016 study by the International Data Corporation (IDC) found that virtualization solutions from 2002 to 2016 have accumulated over 339 million tons of CO2 avoidance. The amount of CO2 that would have been generated otherwise if not for virtualization was estimated to be equivalent to 812 billion miles worth of automobile emissions.
On the individual level, the benefits remain the same, albeit on a smaller scale, of course. With virtualization, companies spend less on power consumption and therefore contribute less to emissions.
Maximize your tech and protect your data with outsourceIT’s host of managed IT solutions. Our experts can give you good insight into how to go about deploying software and hardware effectively. Contact us today.
