Signed on July 30, 2002, the legislation’s goal is to create oversight at publicly traded companies and independent auditors so investors are not fooled by phony profits and revenue. Among the several results of Sarbanes-Oxley is the creation of an oversight board for accounting firms that audit publicly traded companies. It also stresses independence of auditors and financial analysts; addresses corporate responsibility at publicly traded companies; and protects whistleblowers.

At no point does the word “software” appear in the text of the Sarbanes-Oxley legislation. But in order to achieve the type of audit trails and records keeping required to be in compliance, most companies will use some type of content or records management software.

Section 404 of Sarbanes-Oxley is widely cited in the literature of software companies. It requires each annual report of a publicly traded company to contain an “internal control report”, which states the responsibility of management for establishing and maintaining an adequate internal control structure and procedures for financial reporting; and contains an assessment of the effectiveness of the internal control structure and procedures of the issuer for financial reporting.

Section 409 says that companies must disclose information on material changes in the financial condition or operations of the issuer on a rapid and current basis.

To read a summary of the entire Sarbanes-Oxley legislation, visit: http://www.aicpa.org/info/sarbanes_oxley_summary.htm.

You’ve been running an online business for quite some time. Now that your online business is about to expand because of its growing number of clients, it requires a great deal of everything than ever before- disk space, bandwidth, security and more. Your current web hosting service might not be able to meet your ever changing needs, and so there is a need to change the way you handle all the necessary data to keep your online business running smoothly.

How would that be possible then? From the very simple form of hosting service – shared hosting, switching to server hosting could make things a lot easier.

Why Go For Server Hosting?

It offers online businesses these advantages:

-maximum security for the data, and the connection itself

-back up in case of data loss, and other inevitable circumstances

-maximum reliability; 24/7 technical support

-scalability, as online businesses only pay for the bandwidth to be used

and many others.

Server hosting gives online businesses what they need- freedom, functionality, the best security, technical support and more.

The catch here is to choose which kind of server hosting is best for your business. There are a variety. Choose from unmanaged or managed hosting, colocated hosting, or making use of a managed dedicated server (dedicated server hosting). Each of these has distinct characteristics from the other. In order to know which is the best for your business, it is important to get in touch with the experts for consultation.

Managed Hosting

As the name suggests, this is the type of server hosting that allows clients to have the freedom of tweaking various settings for their sites without having to be bothered with the core technicalities. The provider takes care of the maintenance, and a huge part of the technicalities. The only thing that a client needs to do is to rent a server. It’s like renting a house and entrusting it to the caretaker.

Colocated Hosting

Just like managed hosting, colocated hosting gives client a great deal of flexibility, as they are able to choose the server’s hardware configuration as well as the software being run on it. The client will be responsible for the management of the server, but the company will become responsible of the Internet connection, power supply, and the care of the server equipment.

Managed Dedicated Server

This is ideal for clients who wants to free themselves from issues of technicality and other unforeseen issues, as the provider will be the one to maintain the dedicated servers. Any company with a managed dedicated server is also capable of quick upgrade if needed.

Choosing among the three types of server hosting might be the most confusing part of all. It has to be thoroughly analyzed – what is needed for the online business, will there be frequent changes for the site, and many other questions should be answered before coming up with the right choice. Talking with the experts could also help you figure out which type will bring the best out of your site.

Companies which invest for using server hosting has increased in number. This is because of the several advantages it could bring for online businesses. There are many types under server hosting. These are colocated hosting, dedicated server hosting, particularly managed dedicated server, and the managed hosting. One of the most sought after types is the managed hosting.

The Nature Of Managed Hosting

In managed hosting, the provider lets clients rent their servers, and at the same time, manage it for ease. Let’s face it, not all online business owners are technically inclined. Some of them hire someone to manage the server that they rent, however, this could get very costly. Managed hosting provides a solution among most businesses with a limited budget. It has become famous because of many advantages. But what are really the benefits that an online business can get from managed hosting?

Features And Advantages

- No separate cost for server equipment. This applies to managed dedicated server, and colocated hosting, too. Hosts provide a server for the client’s use. No need to buy a huge and costly equipment just to enjoy freedom in installing all those desired applications for maximum functionality of sites. Plus, enjoy Internet connection as one of the features of the hosting service. This alone could be a big saving, as servers (including basic equipments such as routers and the connection) could range from $5,000 up.

- Scalability. Basically, clients pay for the bandwidth used. One advantage for managed hosting is that, clients can easily upgrade (or downgrade) bandwidth use if there’s a need to. No bandwidth will be paid and put to waste.

- Excellent Technical Support. The hosting provider normally takes care of all the technicalities- monitoring, repair, back up and more of your server. This means, that clients would have less worries when inevitable technical issues arise. Most hosting providers regularly back up the data of their clients for use in case of loss of data or corruption.

- Excellent Security. No worries about the server security- the hosting provider will take care of that. Be secured from viruses, unauthorized access and other threats. Clients will be able to focus on their online businesses as the company takes care of everything technical.

Aside from the fact that this option is budget-wise, it is one of the easiest ways to start off an online presence. Clients who are into managed hosting could save time from server management and maintenance as well. They could freely focus on the business itself, thus, there will be possible increase of sales and profit. Whether a company is small, or big, these are the things that clients could enjoy from server hosting, particularly if it is managed by the hosting company.

For starters, it is important to consider if the server hosting provider has a sound support system in place. Considering the competitiveness level in the market, there are some providers that are known to offer high quality customer service while others are substandard. The best way to find out of they meet this end is to ask some presale questions. Evaluate their response and the duration they take before giving you an answer as this will be a reflection of the kind of services you should expect. The standard duration should be 24 hours and if this is not the case, you are better off looking for another service provider.

The next thing that you have to know is their server system, data centers and back up schedules. These are among the major things that will form your basic infrastructure and as such, it is important to ensure that you weigh them seriously. It is therefore important to check the kind of technology the service provider is using and consider if they have the ability to offer reliable backup systems which are located at data centers that are traceable. Also, confirm that they are equipped to technically handle different issues and that they also some technical people working for them.

Make sure that you understand their company data as well as the profitability of the company. This is important for the simple reason it is a clear reflection of the services they have to offer. If they are financially sound, it means that they pay their technical staff well and hence, work is carried out with perfection. It also ensures that your investment is a safeguarded one and you don’t stand the chance of losing in the long run.

While at it, have a look at the scope of services offered by the server hosting provider. It is important to ensure that the service providers offers a variety of services and that they are designed to meet your budget. If there is a possibility of expanding your business, it is imperative to ensure that they can provide a platform for you to meet this end. Finally, it is important toe ensure that the server hosting provider has the ability to guarantee a high uptime level which ideally equals to 99.9% as well as a high level of reliability. Once you weigh all these factors, you should be able to select a reputable service provider.

For starters, natural calamities are known to occur at any given time and if the set up is within your working premises, this can pose a serious risk on your part. However, if the server colocation is on another premises, you can get assured that there you don’t run any risks. What is more, this ensures that when the need arises, repairs can be done within a specific time frame and this ensures that you don’t have any major downtime.

Also, if you decide to set up the server in your own premises, it is important to note that there are several features that need to be incorporated in the system. In most cases, this is usually an expensive venture and most business people cannot afford it. Note that this also requires the use of generators and other data redundant facilities to ensure that there are no chances of downtime and this only serves to increase the costs. However, by hiring such services, you no longer have to fret about such issues since the service providers ensure that they take care of all the issues that need to be covered to ensure that you get the most out of the service.

Another reason you should get server colocation is the fact that the software is not only safeguarded but also, the right measures are put into place to ensure that your information is safeguarded. Note that there are instances when your confidential business information might be stolen by competitors and this could pose a serious threat to the business. With this option, you get 100% guarantee against such incidences.

It is also known to be the most reliable way of getting high bandwidth and at competitively low prices. This is an added advantage to businesses that are just starting up and are in need of cutting down on costs. It is due to this feature that it is considered highly affordable and recommended to most businesses. The server colocation service is also responsible for ensuring that they protect any hardware you use and at the same time support the growth of your business.

In addition to this, it also ensures that you get the opportunity to have maintenance carried out often and this ensures that you don’t face any unnecessary challenges. However, before making your choice, it is important to ensure that the service provider you choose can offer you all the benefits mentioned here and they are the best in the industry.

Before you can proceed to use these services, the first thing that you must do is locate a server colocation service provider. When weighing your options in this regard, it is important to note that there are two options at your disposal. One, you can choose to use a local service provider or alternatively, you can choose one that is located further away.

It is important to note that none of these services have an advantage over another as long as the service provider has placed all the necessary measures into place to ensure that the services are delivered in an easy and convenient manner. However, to be on the safe side, it is important to ensure that you do some extensive research before making your final decision. In essence, this means comparing what different service providers have to offer.

Depending on the service provider you choose, it is important to note that they should be able to provide security to the servers. There are some who provide this at extremely expensive rates while others are affordable. It all depends with the company you choose. Note that the service provider should be able to guarantee security on a 24 hour basis. Also, you should note that there are some service providers who are known to charge extra costs for providing locks for customers to secure severs. It is factors such as these that you ought to seriously consider before making your final choice.

Regardless of your needs, an ideal colocation server provider should be able to deliver high quality services that measure up to your expectations. This is in terms of ensuring that the air temperature as well as the quality is up to mark in order to ensure that it performs superbly. They should be able to maintain the servers to ensure that customers do not experience any downtime issues. This will go a long way to ensure that you get the time to attend to other areas of the business that you can handle expertly.

It is important to note that with these services, a business still gets to be in full control of how it operates and runs. This gives businesses a high level of flexibility. To cap it all, it is important to note that there are several colocation server service packages for you to choose from depending on business needs and the type of service provider you choose.

Server colocation services allow you to place your system in an efficient hosting facility that has great network connectivity. There are some disadvantages of having your system in a remote location but if you are adequately prepared, you will be able to carry out your administrative processes without a problem.

There are various options to select from if you are looking for this kind of service but there are certain factors that should guide your choice. One of the things to look for when you are searching for a server colocation service is whether it offers BIOS serial support. Most of the modern systems are able to access BIOS through serial ports. This means that you are able to see the Power On System Test output and configure settings from remote locations. The service that you use should also provide boot-up when you switch on the system. It is better to have a system that boots automatically when power is turned on.

Server colocation services offer a variety of advantages. One of the advantages is the fact that bandwidth will cost you less. Using the services will ensure you get higher bandwidths at a lower cost. Apart from the high bandwidth, you also get better redundancy when it comes to network connections.

Another advantage is the fact that you get enhanced outage protection. This means that if your main source of power is interrupted, your system will still be able to function at an optimal level because the host will provide backup power.

As a user, you own the machines and this means that you are in a position to upgrade the system any time you want to improve performance. You also own the programs that are used by the system therefore you do not have to rely on the host for upgrades. Clients who use this service also get to choose the particular software that they prefer to use.

With this type of service, the systems are stored in secure remote locations and this means that third parties will not have access to them therefore they cannot interfere with the files you have stored.

A majority of the hosts that are available in the market are also able to provide maintenance services for your system at a fee. This ensures that your system is always running at an optimal level every time. This is very beneficial especially for small businesses that cannot afford to get a full time IT team to provide these services. If web hosting services are not adequate for your business, this is the most suitable option to use.

With server colocation, a small business is able to share equipment and resources with other entities. This provides the full time IT support that is required to run the business. One of the main benefits is being to compete with the large organizations in your field.  For small businesses, using server colocation also means that you do not have to keep worrying about your system. The host will ensure that it is running efficiently at all times. Businesses that run their own systems have to keep close watch to prevent them from crashing.

The server colocation services also offer increased bandwidth at a reduced cost. This is very important for a small business that does not have a lot of money to spend on IT infrastructure. With increased bandwidth, it means that your site will be able to accommodate more online users without slowing down.  If you decide to use this option, it is important for you to know that there are various options available and your choice is supposed to be based on what your small business requires. The most popular options are managed and unmanaged. The choice you make will determine if you are the one who is going to be in charge of maintenance or not.

With the managed option, your system will be configured to a specific specification. The service also offers you some particular software applications that your customers can use within the limits that you set. In this service, the provider will offer any upgrades that are required. They will also handle the maintenance, backup, hardware issues and reboots. This is a good option if you do not have an IT team in place to handle maintenance and troubleshooting. The disadvantage of this option is that it will only support specific applications. This means that you must check the applications that are supported before you use them in your system.

If you prefer to have more control over your system, you can get the unmanaged option. For this option, you are required to provide your own software and hardware and also manage them. This provides you with more flexibility compared to the managed option. The provider will still expect you to follow their agreement if you choose to use this service. A majority of the providers in the market get to decide what you can host and what you cannot on the system. This is done to ensure that the system does not crush as a result of increased traffic.

Colocation service is the answer for all online businessmen wanting value for their money without compromising the quality of their service to the clients. Why? Take a sneak peek of its advantages and the cost of having such service for your online business.

Why Choose A Colocation Service?

Is your business expanding? If so, there are changes that you need to consider, including the switch to a better web hosting provider. An expanding online business needs a great deal of data storage, secure database and a stable Internet connection to be able to operate at its best. It could be possible using other web hosting options, but this would call for a greater cost.

Colocation service is like an all in one package- get 24/7 technical support, a server and a hardware, an Internet connection and security at a bundled price. Why does it have to be separated?

Having a small space? No worries. The server is within the provider’s vicinity. There’s no need to bring the equipment all the way to your place, as this would require some space.

Online businessmen who are not technically inclined could also take advantage of colocation service. There is also no need to hire an in house I.T. staff in this case, as all the server maintenance is done by the provider. Also, be free from the worries of getting power outages and downtime as some colocation providers have their own power supply.

Clients have the freedom as to what applications or software to install in their server. They have remote access to it through the unique IP addresses given to them, and they could tweak almost everything in the server at anytime they want (subject to the provider’s terms and conditions).

Upgrading is also fast in colocation service. Just keep in touch with the staff and specify all the upgrades needed, and it will be ready within 24 hours. It’s fast because they have instant access with their server- no need to go all the way to your office to get things settled.

Colocation Pricing

The price of colocation services vary widely on the features. Clients only pay for what they need, and the company charges a fraction of the amount if there is a need for an extra bandwidth or IP address. Colocation is a bit expensive compared to VPS or shared hosting, but it could save more in the long run because of its full packed features.

Consider first the features you most likely need before choosing a provider to entrust your online business to. Lowest possible pricing for server colocation is as low as $100 dollars. However, it would depend on the location of the server, the features to be used by the client, the connection speed and the bandwidth.

Managed hosting entails the provision of a server for organizational use. A client, the organization, leases the server from a hosting provider. The hosting provider provides monitoring and other support of the server while the organization is leasing it. Hosting provides beneficial services to the organization leasing the server and the services provided could go towards increasing an organization’s efficiency.

Hosting typically entails storing an organization’s information and data in a server. The information is meant to be accessed over the internet. The access ranges from organizational access to public access. Managed hosting gives the organization the power to control certain components of the server. Since the organization leases the server for the organization’s specific use, they are able to control the softwares, applications and hardware that accompany the server. This includes choosing the operating system to use with the server and connecting hardwares like printers to the server.

All computers within an organization are usually hooked to the server allowing the employees to share work with each other using softwares, which enhance data sharing. The efficiency of the workers is enhanced since they can all simultaneously work on documents accessible through the server. The hardwares hooked within these server networks are shared among the employees of an organization. This saves up on the cost of buying several computer accompanying hardwares to hook up to individual computers within the organization.

The organization requires the server to function at all times to allow the employees to undertake their different duties. Servers just like any other available technologies are bound to face malfunctions or break downs. The organization is simply a user of the server and may not have the knowledge to handle the break downs or malfunctions when they occur. Managed hosting provides monitoring and evaluation services to ensure that the server and its accompanying hardwares function optimally throughout. Monitoring the server allows the detection of any problems and they can be immediately fixed before they affect the entire system. Intrusions into the system can also be detected and prevented.

The management of the server also extends to ensuring that the server is accorded the highest level of security at all times. The server contains organizational information, which is usually sensitive and should not be accessed for malicious use. The hosting services ensure that the server’s firewall is up and running throughout. Anti virus softwares are also installed to the server and updates are carried out to ensure that the software provides the server the highest level of protection.

Managed hosting services also extend to updating the server and its softwares in line with technological advancements. An organization may not necessarily be aware of the latest technological advancements, which can enhance how the server performs. The hosting service providers take it upon themselves to carry out the updates as part of the services they offer.