Vaultas

network

How to Reduce Your Company’s Cloud Spend

by

As more companies move more parts of their business to the cloud, many are finding it difficult to control cloud spend. Because of the many benefits of the cloud – which we’ll discuss below – there is good reason to understand and optimize cloud spending.

According to a recent report, companies are going over their annual cloud budget by an average of 23 percent this year. In addition, IT executives expect cloud spend to increase by nearly 50 percent in the coming year. So what can companies do to lower their overall cloud spend – and stay within their budget?

The Benefits of the Cloud

The cloud provides different benefits to individual companies, depending on their usage and needs. However, there are a few general benefits that apply widely across industries and companies – and are why the cloud is so universally appealing.

  • Flexibility
  • Scalability
  • Predictive costing
  • No upfront capital expenditures needed
  • Automatic maintenance and upgrades
  • And more!

 

 

 

How to Reduce Cloud Spend

Because cloud use varies so much from organization to organization, it’s difficult to list cost reduction strategies that apply universally. Megaport advises companies to optimize costs wherever possible. Cloud connectivity is generally a good place to start.

When organizations transition to the cloud, they often connect using public internet and VPNs. For greater security and performance, a dedicated circuit or other alternative may be a good option. However, that can result in a higher total cost of ownership.

So what’s the solution for over-budget cloud spend? Consider Network as a Service, or NaaS. Enlisting an experienced service provider to handle network design and implementation will save money, time, and confusion. NaaS will allow your company to streamline cloud connectivity, connect from a single network interface, transport data more securely, and make the cloud easier to use and understand.

Do you need help reducing your cloud spend? Contact Vaultas today!

Vaultas is a technology ecosystem provider that facilitates direct access to any network or service provider. Our services include colocation, cloud, hybrid IT solutions, connectivity, communication and collaboration including UCaaS and CCaaS, disaster recovery and business continuity, hosting, consulting, energy conservation and much more.

Our primary ecosystem access points are located in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, as well as Alexandria and St. Cloud, MN, and Milwaukee, WI, with remote access from anywhere in the world. Contact us to get started. 

Why Does the Network Matter?

by

As companies adapt to a new reality, they are increasingly relying on multiple IT service providers to replace traditional infrastructure and meet ever-changing IT needs. For many, this means transitioning to new platforms and providers, and to cloud and colocation services for more reliable storage, operations and security. So what does this mean for the network in 2021 – and beyond?

Why the Network Matters in 2021

Both in-house and cloud computing needs are growing and changing – and connectivity and bandwidth needs are shifting too. According to Megaport, organizations that rely on public internet connectivity will find themselves at a disadvantage, plagued by security and reliability issues.

the network
photo credit: @brett-sayles accessed 6/9/21 via CC0

At the same time, migrating company data into cloud environments – and establishing the connectivity required to support them – is growing increasingly complex as demand increases. In order to maintain a fast, secure connection that supports employee needs and company operations, IT managers must understand the network options. Further, they must choose a reliable, scalable solution that meets company needs.

How to Choose the Right Network Connectivity

To streamline and simplify IT, many companies are turning to IT as a Service, or ITaaS, models to operate and maintain their IT platforms, products and services. Not only does this simplify IT management, but it also improves performance and increases security.

One service under the ITaaS umbrella is Network as a Service, or NaaS. This provides on-demand, dedicated connections to cloud providers and networks, as well as software and integration with cloud providers. NaaS providers can also – and perhaps most importantly – help you determine the right network connectivity solution for your company’s unique needs.

Need help finding the right network for your business? Contact Vaultas today.

Vaultas is a technology ecosystem provider that facilitates direct access to any network or service provider. Our services include colocation, cloud, hybrid IT solutions, connectivity, communication and collaboration including UCaaS and CCaaS, disaster recovery and business continuity, hosting, consulting, energy conservation and much more.

Our primary ecosystem access points are located in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, as well as Alexandria and St. Cloud, MN, and Milwaukee, WI, with remote access from anywhere in the world. Contact us to get started. 

Colocation or Data Center: Which is Right for Your Business?

by

One of the most common challenges in IT infrastructure management is maintaining sufficient space and power. As a business grows and ages, it will naturally acquire more data, which will, in turn, require more storage space. Purchasing new IT equipment is usually only a stopgap, as it can quickly outgrow the available office space, power and cooling capabilities. So what’s the solution – colocation or data center? And what, exactly, is the difference between the two?

To learn how to choose a colocation partner that fits your business’ unique needs, download our free colocation guide today.

Let’s begin with a brief definition of each:

Data Center:

Networked computer servers used for the storage or processing of data for daily use as well as backup and disaster recovery. These servers can be hosted in-house or in a remote data center facility.

 

 

 

Colocation:

Colocation facilities provide the space, power and bandwidth to store servers and IT equipment. Many businesses utilize the same facility for storage.

At first glance, the two appear very similar. But there is one key difference: with colocation, businesses provide their own servers and equipment.

Without knowing more, it would seem that data centers are the easier and better choice. But that’s not necessarily the case. There are several benefits to colocation:

  1. Lower cost: Sharing overhead with other businesses lower the total expense, and storing in facilities specifically designated for colocation increases energy efficiency.
  2. Access and ease of use: When IT professionals work on-site at colocation facilities, efficiency increases. Dedicated facility staff is available to help with any issues that arise.
  3. Network accessibility: Colocation facilities allow companies to connect with multiple carriers, regional networks and internet service providers.
  4. Network neutrality: When colocation providers are network neutral, companies can be in control of their own network strategy.
  5. Security: Colocation facilities are secure against any kind of threat – physical or virtual.
  6. Disaster readiness: Colocating allows companies to choose a facility that may be safer from weather threats than business headquarters.
  7. Easier compliance: Colocation facilities will maintain detailed records, making it easy for companies to produce compliance documentation.

Still not sure whether colocation or data center is right for your business? Download our free colocation guide, then get in touch. Vaultas offers both data center storage and colocation throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin. We will help customize a solution to meet your company’s unique needs.

The Internet of Things Ecosystem Continues to Grow

by

Even if you’ve never heard of the Internet of Things, or IoT, it likely plays a big part in your everyday life. Do you wear a Fitbit? Do you use Alexa to manage your shopping and to-do lists? Is your home monitored from afar with a smart camera? If so, the Internet of Things ecosystem is probably fairly ingrained in your life.

Even if you’re fairly familiar with IoT, the different terms and labels can be confusing. We’ll break that down below, based on a helpful article from Business Insider. We’ll also look a little more closely at the IoT ecosystem and how that is projected to grow in the coming years.

What is the Internet of Things?

Simply, it is the connection of devices to the Internet. The IoT devices that we use everyday are defined as standalone, Internet-connected devices that can be monitored or controlled remotely. Common examples of IoT devices include fitness trackers, digital assistants, smart thermostats and medical devices. The number of available IoT devices has skyrocketed in recent years, and will probably continue to increase in the foreseeable future.

The IoT Ecosystem

The Internet of Things ecosystem is the sort of central hub of IoT – the components that allow businesses and consumers to connect to their IoT devices. This includes networks, gateways, data storage, security, dashboards and more.

IoT Layers

There are three layers that allow devices to connect through the ecosystem:

  • Physical layer: IoT device hardware
  • Network layer: Transmits data collected by physical layer to different devices
  • Application layer: Interfaces and protocols by which devices identify and communicate

The Future of the IoT Ecosystem

Business Insider predicts that 24 billion IoT devices will be connected to the internet by 2020, with businesses as the top adopter of IoT solutions. Governments will be the second-largest adopters. Consumers will adopt less quickly, but they will still invest a large amount of money into the IoT ecosystem. In sum, an estimated $6 trillion will be spent on IoT solutions between 2015 and 2020.

Ready to incorporate the Internet of Things ecosystem into your business?

Vaultas is here to help. Give Vaultas a call at 888-998-2858, or contact us online. With IT services to meet the most demanding needs, we’ll work with you to find the best custom IT solutions for your business.

 

header image c/o computerweekly.com

The Benefits of Internet Exchange Points

by

In our last blog post, we provided an introduction to internet exchange points and peering, discussing the basics and general benefits of internet exchange points. Today, we’ll continue with a more detailed discussion of IXPs, and who and how they can benefit. Curious about whether an IXP is right for your business? Read on!

To recap: Internet exchange points, or IXPs, are access points through with providers connect their networks and exchange traffic. They are not internet service providers, but act as a switch that directs internet traffic to different networks.

Internet exchange points can be especially beneficial for local and small businesses, universities, and similar institutions. This is because the majority of their traffic is local. Therefore, by exchanging traffic with other local providers in the internet exchange point, the internet will become less congested and more efficient, leading to improved performance on apps and websites. Further, businesses won’t have to upgrade their internet networks nearly as often. This is a win-win for everyone on the IXP!

To further illustrate the benefits of internet exchange points: imagine that your internet service provider is located in New Jersey. So if you’re forwarding an email to your neighbor, it will first go to New Jersey before it goes across the street. Wouldn’t it be faster if your email was sent to a network in your city rather than a faraway location? Of course, all internet traffic eventually gets where it needs to go. But IXPs help it get there faster and more efficiently, improving the performance from the user’s standpoint.

Still not sure if an IXP will benefit your business? Give Vaultas a call – we’re happy to go over the details with you. Vaultas is a premier provider of IT solutions, providing data storage and backup, disaster recovery and business continuity services, hosting, colocation, cloud storage and more. Get in touch to learn more about how our services can benefit your business.

An Introduction to Internet Exchange Points and Peering

by

The needs and potential uses of the internet continue to shift among businesses in Minnesota and around the country. In response, the internet itself is changing, with more opportunities for connection, agility and security. At Vaultas, we’re always working to stay at the forefront of trends, determining whether they’re just that – trends – or whether they represent ongoing and long-term changes in how Minnesota companies are doing business online. Internet exchange points and peering are two such developments.

So what are internet exchange points, or IXPs? Here’s a brief definition, courtesy of Techopedia:

“An internet exchange point (IXP) is a physical network access point through which major network providers connect their networks and exchange traffic. The primary focus of an exchange point is to facilitate network interconnection through an exchange access point instead of third-party networks.”

While IXPs allow network operators to exchange traffic, they are not internet service providers and cannot, on their own, connect a user to the internet. Instead, they function as a sort of “building block” of the internet. In more relative terms, an IXP is usually an Ethernet switch to which networks connect one or more routers, thereby sending traffic across the switch to other networks.

So who connects to IXPs? Generally, internet service providers (ISPs) connect in order to allow their customers to communicate. In addition, content providers or advertisers may connect to IXPs in order to spread their content to customers of other ISPs.

Peering is an essential aspect of IXPs. But what is peering? DrPeering defines it as:

“Internet Peering is a local routing optimization, a way to exchange some of your traffic with neither party incurring Internet Transit fees.”

So while IXPs are the point at which ISPs connect and share information, peering is the process by which that sharing occurs. Peering allows networks to connect and exchange traffic without having to pay a third party to move the traffic across the internet. Peering is often less expensive than similar information sharing processes, and it gives network operators greater control over traffic flows.

Vaultas offers a wide variety of network connection options, and because we’re carrier– and vendor-neutral, we’ll work to find the best hybrid IT solution for you and your business. To learn more or get started, contact us today.