Cloud computing is currently the buzzword in the IT industry, but many are not exactly sure what it is, or how it works. If you are one of those people, know that you are not alone.

Basically, cloud computing is the next stage in evolution of the Internet. The cloud carries data and information for different users, allowing you to access yours whenever you need, wherever you are.  It provides you with your resources, on-demand. 

Benefits of Cloud Computing

Using cloud computing offers you a number of different benefits.  Depending upon your service provider, they will offer you various features at different price levels.

When you use cloud computing, you have your services available to you on demand.  You never have to go through a time consuming process, you simply request the amount of storage, software and resources that you need, and voila, the service provider provides!

And with cloud computing, it is simple to add more storage space, different software or features when you need it. The basic premise of the cloud is that it is elastic: it expands for you.  It provides you the ability to scale up or down when you add more users or when your needs change.

As more and more companies offer cloud computing, the costs are decreasing.  This is great for you; but on top of that, cloud computing just makes sense from a cost standpoint for IT companies anyway. It minimizes their capital expenditures, because they can purchase the exact amount of resources on demand that their organizations need, allowing them to avoid purchasing hardware. The equipment is 'in the cloud'; in other words, it is not physical. It does not sit in the IT companies' offices. 

Forms of Cloud Computing

There are three basic forms of cloud computing. They are:

The public cloud: With the public cloud, your IT resources are offered as a service that is then shared across multiple organizations. The cloud is managed by an external service provider.

Next is a private cloud: With a private cloud, the resources are dedicated just to you, and are offered to you on demand.

Finally, you have the hybrid cloud. This type of cloud is a mix of public and private.  The cloud is managed by one provider, allowing you to have space across a number of different clouds. 

While cloud computing may be new, it is on the rise with IT companies because it does provide so many benefits and it is just so handy to use. 

There are a number of benefits that come with using a VPS (virtual private server), but there are also a number of drawbacks.  From saving space in your workplace to saving time and money, the benefits of a virtual private server are numerous.  But are they as safe as having a dedicated, physical server in your own office?

Independence

One of the main benefits of VPS is that it offers you an individual account 'in the cloud'.  You will have your own space, and your company will have its own memory.  This means that your small business operates independently from others that use the same VPS.  With a cloud server, there is no 'crossover'; you won't experience any lagging because the other sites on the server are experiencing high traffic.  Your, website, your business, will be completely independent of any other hardware functions for other sites. 

Scalability

Another benefit of VPS hosting is that it is highly scalable.  This means that whenever you need to, you can change the amount of space you have, the bandwidth, or the number of allocations simply and easily.

When you purchase a dedicated server you have only a finite amount of memory and bandwidth, it cannot be changed with a simple email or phone call to your provider. 

Customer Service

With scalability comes great customer service.  When you have a VPS hosting service plan, there is always someone to call if you need help.  When you have questions or concerns about your service you can simply email, chat with, or call customer service.   Typically, your service provider will be able to help you right away; taking care of any problems immediately.

Security

With a managed VPS you have a great deal of security.  You will be given your own personal file systems, which are independent of anyone else's.  This means that basically have own dedicated server.  It is not simply space on a larger server that runs your site, mixing with others in the same space.

A managed VPS offers you the security of knowing that your information, and your customers' information, is safe, in its own private space. 

A VPS works exactly the same as any dedicated server (the type that you could purchase, and put in your office, the kind that would take up space and cost a great deal of money). This allows you to have the ability to execute server level tasks such as hosting multiple domains, installing your own server applications or actually reselling your virtual space without that added cost of having the dedicated server. 

And the biggest benefit  is that your hosting service provider actually performs the majority of these services for you. This allows you the time to work on other business, without being bogged down by technical issues. 

Space, Time and Cost

One obvious benefit of a VPS it is virtual. Your server is in the cloud, not in your office. You need make no physical room for it. 

And finally, who could overlook the cost and time that are saved by having a managed VPS?  Purchasing a dedicated server is expensive.  When you subscribe to a managed VPS service, you typically pay by the month, and at a significant savings.  There are a number of plans out there, small business owners simply need to find the one that best fits their budget while meeting their memory and bandwidth needs.

As for time, when you have a managed provider, they take care of the legwork for you.  They run your server and take care of any problems that come up. They are there for you when you need to make changes or have questions. Having a tech expert at the other end of the line saves you time and stress, allowing you to concentrate on other things.

Disadvantages of VPS

While there are so many benefits of VPS hosting, there are a few potential issues that could arise. The main one, from a financial standpoint, is that a managed VPS is more expensive than shared hosting. If you do not need a dedicated, or managed, hosting service, then this will not be an issue for you.

While a managed VPS is still not as expensive as having your own dedicated server, it is more expensive than a shared VPS.

Service can be another issue.  Some providers offer VPS hosting but they do not allocate the resources correctly.  This could cause some problems down the line if one site uses its resources at peak levels. IF the provider has oversold its space, then all other sites on that sever will be affected during that peak point.

While VPS is a great option for most companies, both the pros and cons should be considered.

(Ghost written piece for client) 

There are a number of benefits that come with using a managed VPS (virtual private server) for your small business.  From saving space in your workplace to saving time and money, the benefits of a virtual private server are numerous.

No Impact

Some small businesses worry that using a VPS hosting service will leave them open to server problems that will slow down their site, giving customers problems. However, this is actually one of the main benefits of VPS. Using one of these virtual private server hosts gives you an individual account. You will have your own space 'in the cloud', and your company will have its own memory.

This means that your small business will operate independently from others that use this same VPS.  There will be no 'crossover', no lagging because the other website is experience high traffic and so on.  Your business is completely independent of any other hardware functions for other sites. 

Scalability

Another benefit of VPS hosting is that it is highly scalable. This means that with a VPS hosting plan, you can change your space, your allocation, easily. 

If you were to purchase a dedicated server, or if you were to go with a shared hosting plan, rather than a virtual private server hosting service, you would have only a finite amount of memory and bandwidth.

But with VPS hosting plans, you simply contact your provider and changes to your plan, such as adding more space or bandwidth, can be made right away. 

Customer Service

This scalability factor leads to the customer service benefits. When you are part of a VPS hosting service plan, there is always someone to call for help. If you have questions or concerns about your plan, or your service, there is always someone to email, chat with or simply phone. They will generally be able to help you right away, and take care of any problems immediately, such as adding that extra space.

Security

Additionally, another benefit of managed VPS is that you will generally have a higher level of security than you would with a shared hosting plan.

Cloud environments typically give users their own personal file systems, which are independent of anyone else's. This means that you are, in essence, on your own dedicated server. It is not simply space on a larger server that runs your site, mixing with others in the same space.

No, you will have the security of knowing that your information, and your customers' information, is safe, in your own private space. 

A VPS works exactly the same as any dedicated server (the type that you could purchase, and put in your office, the kind that would take up space and cost a great deal of money). This allows you to have the ability to execute server level tasks such as hosting multiple domains, installing your own server applications or actually reselling your virtual space without that added cost of having the dedicated server. 

And the best part is that your hosting service

provider actually performs the majority of these services for you. This allows you the time to work on other business, without being bogged down by technical issues and it gives you the performance of a dedicated server. 

Space, Time and Cost

Another, simple, benefit of a managed virtual private server is that it is, quite simply, virtual. Your server is in the cloud, not in your office. You need make no physical room for it. 

And finally, who could overlook the cost and time that are saved by having a managed VPS? Purchasing a dedicated server is expensive. When you subscribe to a managed VPS service, you typically pay by the month, and at a significant savings. There are a number of plans out there, small business owners simply need to find the one that best fits their budget while meeting their memory and bandwidth needs.

As for time, when you have a managed provider, they take care of the legwork for you. They run your server, taking care of any problems, and are there for you when you need to make changes or have questions. This is almost a priceless benefit, especially if you are not sure how to do these things on your own. Having a tech expert at the other end of the line can sometimes be a lifesaver, and when you do not have to worry about these things, you can concentrate on your business.

All in all, a managed VPS provider is perfect for the small business owner. There is nothing like having the peace of mind that these services provide, allowing you to grow your small business without any hassles. Saving time and money, while having a secure network that you can change whenever you need to, is something that everyone can benefit from.