Wednesday 4 January 2012

Tips On How To Demand The Most From Your Managed WebhostPackage

By Stacy Eddy Parker


A Service Level Agreement or a managed server contract will ensure that you learn how to get the best from your managed hosting service. Hosting companies vary and so do the client companies that need the services. When searching for a hosting company, a business should look for one that offers the strengths and capabilities that match the needs of the client. Here are a few things to look for in a hosting company.

Make sure you have a clear vision of your needs. If you don't know how to express these in industry terms, you can contract with a company that is willing to explain and identify the type of services that are best for your business. Business owners are not expected to link needs and solutions. That is the benefit that is available by working with a qualified hosting services organization.

The goal of almost every business is to grow and expand. The larger the business grows, the more space it needs on its managed dedicated servers. Any hosting company that is selected, should be able to allow for growth of a business easily and smoothly. Preparing for expansion is an important part of the host companies offerings to the client. Most clients don't want to start out with too much capacity.

There should always be a formal written agreement. This document protects both the host and the client. The agreement should include such elements as the type of equipment, the service level, the maximum downtime, and the elements of responsibility. The host generally is to provide space, installation and operation of server software and applications. The client does the administration of applications and day-to-day customer interactions.

The SLA will specify when the equipment should be replaced. This is typically either at a particular age, or a particular level of obsolescence. The host company must handle scheduled maintenance, usually at times that will be least disruptive to the recipient of services. The server equipment must have a minimum of downtime in order to respond to the needs of a client.

A way to contact the host is important. With global businesses, a server that is down, and administration that is unavailable for hours is simply not a good business practice. The customers of a client are not willing to keep coming back to a site that displays an unavailable message.

Plenty of server space is something that the hosting company must provide. This includes room for the client operating software, space to provide for system backup and to install and operate peripheral equipment such as printers. Some applications may also be part of the client's needs. Fast downloading from the client website to potential customers is a necessity for growing sales.

Learning how to get the best from your managed hosting service is a matter of putting several common sense stipulations into the managed server contract. The Service Level Agreement is the working and final document of understanding between the host company and client. It covers such things as administration, equipment and storage space, service level and speed and repairs.




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