Factors to consider before buying new servers

New hardware doesn’t come cheap, which is why many businesses hold on to their old servers long after these machines have stopped being efficient or secure. In this blog, we explain why it’s vital to replace your servers regularly and look at alternatives that offer the same outcomes while helping you save money. When do […]

Should you get Windows 10 Home, Pro, or S?

When buying new hardware for your laptop, you have to choose which operating system (OS) to install. And if you go with Windows 10, Microsoft’s latest OS, you’ll also have to decide among its Home, Pro, and S versions. Although they contain many similar features, there are significant differences among them. Here’s a quick rundown […]

The benefits of hyperconverged infrastructure

Hyperconvergence isn’t something only large enterprises can benefit from — businesses of all sizes should consider this infrastructure strategy. Read on to learn more about what hyperconvergence can do for your company. What are hyperconverged infrastructures? In a traditional IT environment, networking, server, and storage hardware need to be purchased separately and configured to work […]

Should you consider virtualization?

Knowing which technology to use and when to use it is key to boosting productivity and reducing costs. One of the best ways to do this is to virtualize your hardware and software. Let’s discuss what that means in practice to help you decide. What is virtualization? Virtualization is the creation of a virtual version […]

Common problems with virtual server backup

Over the years, data virtualization has provided businesses more options to manage their data. However, even virtualized data is susceptible to loss. This is why you need a good data backup solution to protect it, and be prepared to face some common problems when backing up virtualized data. Data virtualization involves taking all enterprise data […]

Virtualization: 3 Aspects you must consider

Look before you leap: Familiarize yourself with these three setup and management concerns before jumping straight into virtualization implementation. Backup Incorporating a robust backup system in a virtualized setting can become a huge challenge. You’d have to determine which data you want to store and how often it should be backed up. You would then […]

Virtualization: 10 Critical terms

Virtualization is the act of moving a physical component or bit of software from a physical environment to a digital one that’s normally delivered over a network. This technology has become one of the most sought after tech improvements of the past decade, especially among small- to medium-sized businesses (SMBs). The only problem is, virtualization […]

Virtualization myths and why you shouldn’t believe them

The intricacies of business technology are not the easiest to understand. Complicated explanations usually lead to misunderstandings, and this is especially true for virtualization. Here are four myths you may have heard about virtualization that you shouldn’t take as facts. Myth #1 – Virtualization is too expensive for SMBs Many people assume that the more […]

3 Things to think about when virtualizing your IT system

Specialized IT hardware such as servers, routers, and the like can be quite expensive, but their virtualized software counterparts are way more affordable and are faster to deploy, too. As of this writing, though, it takes specialists to successfully implement these on IT systems. To give you a better idea, here are three considerations they […]

Watch out for these 3 virtualization mistakes

“Prevention is better than cure,” says the scholar Desiderious Erasmus and it speaks true not only in the medical field but also in technology. To avoid having a problematic storage virtualization system, here are three common mistakes to watch out for. Poorly structured storage from the get go Within a virtualized data storage framework, information […]

Advantages and costs of virtualization

Many businesses find virtualization to be a cost-effective alternative to purchasing new hardware. Previously, it was necessary to allocate a new server for new applications. Now, virtual servers can run multiple operating systems and applications, eliminating hardware costs and optimizing software deployment and data backup. Find out if virtualizing your IT infrastructure is right for […]

Ask these 3 questions about your servers

While you’re still alive and kicking, your heart should never skip a beat. It’s the same with your servers. They’re always working, ensuring your business stays operational even if you don’t pay attention to them. However, business owners tend to overlook their servers as most times it is a simple case of being out of […]

What are the common challenges of virtualization?

Virtualization has become commonplace in small- to medium-sized businesses (SMBs). After all, the idea of gaining the benefits of having an IT infrastructure without actually having to purchase pricey and space-consuming physical equipment makes it an appealing option. While virtualization is popular, migrations from physical to virtual systems are not always successful. Following are six […]

Four questions to answer before virtualizing

You’ve probably heard that virtualization saves money, but how can you take advantage of this? Did you know that choosing not to virtualize can hurt your business? Answer these four questions to discover why virtualization is good for you.  Studies have shown that over 70% of IT budgets go to “keeping the lights on.” If […]

Keep your business alive with BCP

Events out of your control can disrupt your business operations. While you can’t necessarily control the unexpected, you can take some precautions to prevent most business disruptions. Here are some things to consider when developing a business continuity plan (BCP). Backup your data, applications, and servers Today, companies are more dependent than ever on IT […]

The vulnerabilities of hypervisors

Hypervisors have changed the game of cybersecurity. They provide unmatched cyber protection for your data as they keep it in the cloud. However, hypervisors still have vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit. Find out how their weak points can be addressed. A hypervisor is a software application that distributes computing resources (e.g., processing power, RAM, storage) […]

Virtualization: Best practices for newbies

Virtualization’s benefits are numerous: centralized IT management, faster hardware resources, improved business continuity, and reduced overhead costs. It makes perfect sense for everyone to jump on board. But to maximize virtualization’s benefits, beginners should start doing the following best practices. Conduct an assessment Evaluating your IT environment is an important step in the implementation process. […]

Virtual DR protects against ransomware

Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts your data and makes it impossible to access unless you pay a ransom. While it may appear to be difficult to stop, you should never give in to the hacker’s demands. Before you end up being a victim of ransomware, protect yourself with virtual disaster recovery (DR) […]

What are virtual containers?

As technical as virtualization and virtual containers are, there’s no reason your company shouldn’t benefit from them. IT specialists all over the country are setting up and supporting these technologies for small businesses to increase efficiency and cut down on technology costs. What are containers and why are they so popular? Virtual containers are like […]

Which virtualization type does your SMB need?

One of the biggest money-saving IT trends of the past two decades is the cloud, but due to popular demand, virtualization technology has also become an important business improvement trend in recent years. Here are a few ways virtualization is used to improve efficiency and productivity in the office. What is virtualization? By virtualizing any […]

The biggest mistake to avoid with VMs

Desktop virtualization allows you to deliver computing resources to workstations in your network. Those resources are packed into virtual machines (VMs), which can be deployed as easily as any file. However, there are risks associated with trying to manage an overwhelming number of VMs. The problem with VM sprawl VM sprawl is a phenomenon that […]

Mobile device security and virtualization

Cybersecurity threats are increasing for both small and large businesses, which means solutions that protect mobile devices are no longer just nice-to-have solutions. As more work is handled outside of the office, the risks to your data increase. Virtualization vendors are leading the charge to tackle these challenges with innovative solutions. Mobile device management and […]

Serverless computing and its benefits

Serverless computing is one way to reduce management burdens brought about by the need to configure several servers. But before you adopt this technology, it’s important that you first understand its basic principles as well as how you can leverage it to improve your day-to-day operations and, ultimately, your bottom line. What is serverless computing? […]

Windows virtualization for Mac use

If you own an Apple computer, you might think it’s impossible to install Windows-based software on it. But with operating system (OS) virtualization, you can run any application you want and enjoy exciting new cross-platform features. Configure an entire machine with a few clicks With programs like VMware and Parallels, installing Microsoft’s OS on your […]

What’s better, virtualization or the cloud?

Have you heard about cloud computing and virtualization technologies but don’t know the difference? Or maybe you’ve heard a fellow business owner talk about why one is better than the other? Here are the differences between the two and the things you must know to determine which solution is best for your business. Differences between […]

Containers: Setting the record straight

Virtualization and container technologies are confusing topics in their own right, and comparing and contrasting them is even harder. To understand the differences between container and virtualization technologies, it’s best to clear up some commonly misunderstood information on how they work. Containers are made up of the bare minimum hardware and software requirements to allow […]

The benefits of hyperconvergence

Routers, switches, modems, gateways, firewalls, servers, and storage devices — these are just some of the many machines you need to build a network infrastructure that enables effective internal and external communications. Even when pared down to serve fewer users, the costs of building a similar infrastructure were prohibitive for SMBs, at least until hyperconvergence […]

5 virtualization options for every SMB

Keeping up with tech trends as a small- or medium-sized business owner is tough. Virtualization is a great example of this. From the boost to network security and ability to scale your workstations and servers according to your business growth, it’s time to start learning more about it. One of the first steps towards virtualizing […]

3 Tips for Virtualization as a DR solution

Although many business owners think that Virtualization and Disaster Recovery (DR) are two separate services, the former can actually be used as a legitimate solution to the latter. Here’s how it works, along with some pointers to keep in mind should you choose virtualization as your disaster recovery plan. Unlike tape backups, Virtualization restores your […]

Controlling security risks of virtualization

While virtualization security is often viewed as an afterthought, it is nevertheless important. Like all technology, securing your virtualized infrastructure is vital to your business’s success. Let’s take a look at some of the security risks posed by virtualization and how you can manage them. Security risks of virtualization Complex infrastructure – Much like virtualization […]

Here are 5 types of virtualization

For many businesses, managing and maintaining their entire hardware and software infrastructure can be a daunting and prohibitively expensive task. But with virtualization, this is no longer an issue. Virtualization allows businesses to maximize the use of their IT resources at a reduced cost — this is why it has become so popular in the […]

Quick review: why you need virtualization

Truly understanding the ins and outs of virtualization is not for the faint hearted. It’s a complicated field that is constantly evolving, but one thing mostly remains the same: its benefits. Read on for a simple recap of just a few of virtualization’s greatest advantages. More technology uptime Virtualization vendors use fancy names for the […]

Situations perfect for virtual desktops

In the world of IT, there is a continuous quest to build systems with less time, funds, and effort. This is why virtualization has become so popular. One type of virtualization, virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI), provides a consistent desktop experience from any device. It is most helpful in the following scenarios: Healthcare In an industry […]

Virtualization: Common misconceptions

Explaining the concept of virtualization is no easy task, and failed attempts to do so have left it with an undeserved reputation. We want to set the record straight about this technology’s many benefits by dispelling the four most common misconceptions. Myth #1 – Virtualization is too expensive for SMBs Many people assume that the […]

Virtualization is not the same as the cloud

Virtualization and cloud computing are sometimes used interchangeably, and it’s easy to see why people confuse the two. To set the record straight, virtualization is NOT cloud computing. But these two revolutionary technologies often overlap. Virtualization Imagine a company with five servers, each assigned a single task such as storage, email, etc. If one day […]

Having problems making virtualization work for you?

Virtualization is available in every modern computer. It allows you to create additional virtual environments that run on your actual hardware. Sometimes, though, it won’t work right and results in errors. Here are steps to get it working properly. #1 Enable Virtualization in Your BIOS In most cases, virtualization won’t work because it’s disabled in […]

Things you didn’t know about virtualization

IT managers turn to virtualization to effectively scale down on cost, boost efficiency, and maximize space in their server rooms. Yet, what they didn’t expect were the drawbacks involved in this technology solution. It’s therefore essential that you’re aware of the following management issues before going all in: Backup Incorporating a robust backup system in […]

Virtualization and Windows Server 2019

If Microsoft’s latest server software is any indication, the virtualization trend shows no signs of slowing down. The first preview of Windows Server 2019 was released in March and includes a number of features focused on IT efficiency. Let’s take a look at the most valuable updates for small businesses. Windows Server 2019 In March, […]

Hypervisors: potential risks and threats

Regardless of how complex the technology, hackers always find a way to exploit it. In the past, virtualization was thought to be an extremely secure solution businesses could rely on to improve IT management and save money. But it does have exploitable vulnerabilities. Hackers can attack the hypervisor to access your systems. What is a […]

Virtual desktop or Container: How to choose

Even if you’re aware of virtualized containers, it’s probably difficult to explain how they differ from virtual desktops. Thankfully, all you really need to understand is whether containers are the better option for your business — and we can answer that in under ten minutes. What are virtual desktops? Imagine all you have is a […]

The difference between Windows 10 versions

When buying new hardware, you have to choose which operating system (OS) to install. And if you go with Windows, you’ll have to make even more decisions, as there’re Windows 10 Home, Pro, and 10 S. Although they contain many similar features, there are significant differences between them. Here’s a quick rundown of each OS […]

Beginner’s guide to virtualization

The benefits of virtualization are so significant that deciding whether to jump on board is a no-brainer. It offers centralized IT management, faster hardware resources, improved business continuity, and reduced overhead costs. But in order to experience these benefits, there are a few best practices you need to consider. Conduct an assessment Evaluating your IT […]

Virtual DR for ransomware protection

Ransomware takes your data hostage and demands a payment for its recovery. While it may seem like there’s no other choice but to pay the ransom, you should never give in to the hacker’s demands. Before the next wave of ransomware comes around, it’s important to protect your business with virtual disaster recovery solutions. Virtual […]

Microsoft’s free virtualization upgrade

Virtualization is difficult to understand. The technology itself is complex, and the industry is dominated by vendors that the average business owner has never heard of. Almost everyone knows Microsoft though, and its virtualization platform just got a big speed boost that won’t cost users a thing — if they know how to take advantage […]

Virtualization services safe from CPU flaws

Everyone has been trying to make sense of recently discovered vulnerabilities that affect almost every computer in use today. All you really need to know about the Spectre and Meltdown bugs is that they make it very easy to spy on private information stored on a computer. But if you’re using virtual desktops or servers, […]

Will Containers change IT?

New technological developments such as cloud computing and virtualization are prying small- and medium-sized businesses away from traditional client-server architecture. In contention now lie Containers, a technology influenced by cloud computing that offers a less complex alternative to virtualization. Discover its benefits and see why they apply to your business. What are containers and why […]

The many faces of virtualization technology

The age-old proverb “There’s more than one way to skin a cat” is especially relevant when budgeting for IT services. With the right technology consulting and support, any business can afford customized solutions that employ creative methods to achieve its end goals. As just one example, let’s review all the ways you can use virtualization […]

Don’t waste money on fleets of VMs

Thanks to virtualization software, the time it takes to bring virtual machines (VMs) online is faster than ever. You could deploy a fleet of them in minutes, but as with most technologies, there are some drawbacks. Experts say too many VMs can cause a logistical nightmare and cost your business a lot of money. The […]

Is serverless computing as good as it sounds?

Thanks to economies of scale, cloud computing resources are cheaper and more stable than those on a local area network, but the cloud is still made up of servers that require expert configuration. Serverless computing is one way to reduce management burdens. What is it? Outsourcing workloads to the cloud — like websites and apps […]

Protect your devices with virtualization

Mobile device security is paramount in today’s unpredictable IT landscape. There are plenty of ways to be sure your employees are accessing data safely away from the office, but there is one solution we recommend for the best results: combining mobile security efforts with virtualization technology. Mobile device management and virtualization Simply put, mobile device […]