The cost of hosting servers can vary widely based on several factors:

1. Type of Hosting:
• Shared Hosting: This is the cheapest form of hosting where your website shares server space with other websites. It's suitable for small websites or blogs.
• Virtual Private Server (VPS) Hosting: This is a step up from shared hosting. You still share a server with other websites, but you have a dedicated portion of that server's resources.
• Dedicated Server Hosting: This is where you rent an entire server for your website. It's more expensive but offers greater control and resources.
• Cloud Hosting: Instead of having your site on one server, cloud hosting spreads the load across a series of interconnected servers. It's scalable and you pay for what you use.
• Managed Hosting: This is where the hosting provider takes care of all the technical aspects of running your server, including security, backups, and updates.
2. Server Specifications: The cost can vary based on the server's CPU, RAM, storage type (HDD vs. SSD), and bandwidth.
3. Location of Data Center: Hosting in certain regions or countries can be more expensive than others.
4. Additional Services: Costs can increase if you opt for additional services like backups, security monitoring, SSL certificates, and content delivery networks (CDN).
5. License Costs: If you're using proprietary software or operating systems, there might be associated license costs.
6. Contract Length: Some hosting providers offer discounts if you commit to a longer contract.
7. Traffic Volume: If you expect a high volume of traffic or if your site consumes a lot of bandwidth (e.g., video streaming), this can increase costs.
8. Support Level: Premium support or dedicated account managers can add to the cost.

To get an accurate estimate, you'd need to determine your requirements and then compare offerings from different hosting providers. If you have specific requirements or providers in mind, I can help you research their pricing.

In summary, to get an accurate estimate, you'd need to determine your requirements and then compare offerings from different hosting providers. If you have specific requirements or just considering a hosted server and would like a completely unbiased and truthful conversation, then please contact myself or one of the Missing Link team on info@mlinkuk.com or call 01257 473445 and we will happily guide you through all the pros and cons associated to such a move.

At Missing Link we often get asked this question and then a follow-up of why we are better than anyone else. We understand that In the digital age, businesses are more reliant than ever on technology. But not every company has the tech-savvy team to handle all their IT needs.

What are IT Managed Services?

In simple terms, IT managed services are outsourced tech solutions. Think of them as your external IT department. They handle everything from network management to cybersecurity, ensuring your business's tech runs seamlessly.

Key IT Managed Services Every UK Business Should Know About:

1. Network Management:
• What it is: Ensuring your business network runs without a hitch.
• Why it's essential: A smooth network means no unexpected downtimes and efficient business operations.
2. Cloud Services:
• What it is: Helping your business utilise the cloud, from migration to daily management.
• Why it's essential: The cloud offers secure data storage and easy access, making business operations more flexible.
3. Cybersecurity:
• What it is: Protecting your business from online threats.
• Why it's essential: With cyber threats on the rise, ensuring your business's digital safety is paramount.
4. Data Management:
• What it is: Storing, backing up, and recovering your business data.
• Why it's essential: Data is the heart of your business. Keeping it safe ensures your business's longevity.
5. End-User Support:
• What it is: Providing tech support to your employees.
• Why it's essential: Happy employees mean a productive business.
6. IT Consultancy:
• What it is: Offering expert advice on your business's IT strategy.
• Why it's essential: Stay ahead of tech trends and ensure your business is always at the forefront.
7. Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) Management:
• What it is: Managing and supporting your business's software applications.
• Why it's essential: Ensure all your applications run seamlessly for efficient operations.

Why Should Your Business Consider IT Managed Services?

• Cost-Efficiency: It can be cheaper than hiring a full-time in-house team.
• Expertise on Tap: Access to a team of IT experts without the recruitment hassle.
• Scalability: As your business grows, your IT needs will change. Managed services can adapt to your needs.
• 24/7 Support: Day or night, there's always someone to help out with any tech issues.

In Conclusion

If you're a UK business, IT managed services could be the game-changer you've been waiting for. From ensuring your network runs smoothly to protecting your precious data, these services offer a comprehensive tech solution. So, why not consider outsourcing your IT needs and focus on what you do best - running your business!

If you would like to discuss this or any other related topic, then please contact myself or one of the Missing Link team on info@mlinkuk.com or call 01257 473445 and we will happily guide you through all the pros and cons associated to such a technology.

Whether a hosted server will be as fast as your local server depends on several factors. Let's explore the key considerations:

1. Hardware Specifications:

• Local Server: If you have a high-end local server with powerful CPUs, ample RAM, and fast SSDs, it might outperform many basic hosted servers.
• Hosted Server: Premium hosting providers offer high-performance servers with top-tier hardware, which can be faster than many local servers.

2. Network Speed:

• Local Server: Accessing a local server, especially within an intranet, is usually very fast because there's no internet latency. This is especially noticeable when transferring large files.
• Hosted Server: The speed can be influenced by the hosting provider's bandwidth, the quality of their data centre connections, and your own internet connection speed. However, for users accessing from various global locations, a well-hosted server might provide better average speeds.

3. Latency:

• Local Server: For local network users, latency is minimal.
• Hosted Server: Latency can vary based on the physical distance between the server and the end-user, the routing of data, and the quality of the network connections in between.

4. Scalability:

• Local Server: Upgrading might require manual hardware changes, which can be time-consuming and costly.
• Hosted Server: Many hosting providers, especially cloud providers, allow for quick scalability. If you suddenly need more resources, you can often scale up almost instantly.

5. Maintenance and Uptime:

• Local Server: You're responsible for power, hardware maintenance, and dealing with hardware failures. Any of these issues can lead to downtime.
• Hosted Server: Reputable hosting providers have redundancies in place, ensuring high uptime. They handle hardware maintenance and failures, often without any noticeable downtime for users.

6. Internet Connection:

If you're hosting web applications or websites:

• Local Server: You'll rely on your local internet connection's upload speed, which is often much slower than download speed. This can be a bottleneck for performance.
• Hosted Server: Data centres have high-speed internet connections, ensuring fast data delivery.

7. Optimisation and Configuration:

Both local and hosted servers' performance can be significantly influenced by how they're configured and optimised for the specific tasks they're handling.

Conclusion:

While local servers offer the advantage of quick access within a local network, hosted servers provide benefits in terms of scalability, maintenance, and global accessibility. The "speed" or performance of either option will depend on the specific use-case, the hardware and network specifications, and the demands placed on the server. For some businesses, a hybrid approach, using both local and hosted servers, offers the best balance of speed and functionality.

At Missing Link we take every case individually, it is most common to have a local server to perform the active directory / security tasks and local processes like print services.

If you would like to discuss this or any other related topic then please contact myself or one of the Missing Link team on info@mlinkuk.com or call 01257 473445 and we will happily guide you through all the pros and cons associated to your server requirements.

Unlocking the Ideal Hosted Server Platform: Navigating Your Cloud Journey

In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, the quest for the perfect hosted server platform is like to finding the ultimate tool in a vast toolbox. Your choice of platform hinges on a multitude of factors, ranging from your distinct requirements to your priorities. While there's no universal answer, we'll delve into some popular hosted server platforms that could pave the way for your cloud success.

Before we go into the big players in the marketplace at Missing Link we have our own brand MLCLOUD server presence in TeleData, Manchester. Starting with ISO27001-compliant building which has some of the most sophisticated security of any data centre in Europe, with an on-site police-linked, NSI Gold Approved, BS5979 certified control room and alarm receiving centre, its unique in the UK. A combination of biometric access controls, virtual tripwires, visitor turnstiles and man-traps, and full-height perimeter fencing provide multiple layers of physical security and that’s before we get to securing your mission-critical servers and infrastructure. Unlike virtually all other offerings we can give you a fixed cost based on CPU, RAM & DISK. No extra charges including bandwidth, cooling, power usage etc.

And then there are the big players.

Amazon Web Services (AWS): A Cloud Titan

At the forefront stands Amazon Web Services (AWS), an undisputed titan in the cloud arena. Renowned for its expansive array of services, AWS offers remarkable scalability and global reach. Whether it's virtual servers via Amazon EC2 or storage solutions through Amazon S3, AWS brings a wealth of tools for application management and deployment to the table.

Microsoft Azure: Empowering the Microsoft Ecosystem

Should Microsoft's suite of technologies form the backbone of your operations, Microsoft Azure emerges as a compelling contender. Seamlessly integrating with Microsoft products like Windows Server and Active Directory, Azure presents a harmonious ecosystem. Its versatile services mirror those of AWS, rendering it an enticing choice for Microsoft-oriented enterprises.

Google Cloud Platform (GCP): Harnessing Data Mastery

If data analytics and machine learning are your North Star, then the Google Cloud Platform (GCP) beckons. Famed for its prowess in these realms, GCP offers services like Google Compute Engine for virtual machines and Kubernetes Engine for orchestrating containers. It's an excellent fit for those navigating the realm of advanced data utilization.

DigitalOcean: The Simplicity Crusader

For startups and smaller enterprises seeking simplicity, DigitalOcean emerges as a champion. Renowned for its user-friendly interface, this platform provides virtual private servers, or "Droplets," along with managed databases and an array of tools for swift application deployment.

IBM Cloud: The Enterprise Pathfinder

Enterprises with a penchant for IBM solutions find solace in the IBM Cloud. This platform marries an extensive suite of services, including virtual servers and AI capabilities, with the familiarity of IBM's enterprise solutions.

Oracle Cloud: Where Enterprise Meets Database Prowess

Oracle Cloud steps into the limelight as the destination for those deeply entrenched in the world of databases and enterprise applications. With services like Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) for compute and storage, it's the natural habitat for aficionados of Oracle's software realm.

Alibaba Cloud: Empowering the Asian Vista

For businesses with a stake in the Asian landscape, Alibaba Cloud holds sway. With a robust emphasis on security and compliance, this platform offers a plethora of cloud services and is a compelling choice for those eyeing the Asian market.

Ultimately as you embark on the quest for the ultimate hosted server platform, consider these pivotal factors:

• Scalability: Does the platform accommodate your growth ambitions?
• Service Suite: Are the offered services aligned with your project requisites?
• Global Footprint: Do the platform's data centres cater to your geographical needs?
• Pricing Paradigm: How does the platform's pricing structure align with your budget?
• Seamless Integration: Does the platform gel seamlessly with your existing tech stack?
• Support Ecosystem: What level of customer support and documentation does the platform offer?
• Security Fortifications: How does the platform stack up in terms of security?

In summary all hosted server platforms should meet the above criteria. At Missing Link we always suggest a prudent approach which involves beginning with a trial or a smaller project, allowing you to fully experience the platform before committing wholeheartedly. The ideal hosted server platform is the one that aligns harmoniously with your distinct needs, technical prowess, and long-term aspirations.

If you are considering a hosted server and would like a completely unbiased and truthful conversation, then please contact myself or one of the Missing Link team on info@mlinkuk.com or call 01257 473445 and we will happily guide you through all the pros and cons associated to such a move.