Regardless of the size of your business, you will need servers to ensure seamless business operations. If your server strategy is implemented correctly, you will never have to think about anything related to servers. But, if it’s not, you will notice it each time you try to send or receive data.

Nowadays, the options businesses have when it comes to servers are not as limited as they were in the past. If businesses want to reduce maintenance and upgrade costs, they can simply invest in a cloud server. With that, however, businesses might lose some control over their backup policy and a simple internet problem can steer your employee's productivity off course.

On the other hand, you will have to make a significant capital investment to obtain the right hardware if you opt for in-house servers. But is the price really that high for the benefits you will enjoy? Let’s find out.

Navigating a high-price market

A common problem businesses have is obtaining the right equipment at a fair price. High-performance technology doesn't come without an exorbitant tag. While that's the case for most pieces of tech equipment, businesses are not left without options.

While they may be scarce, refurbished servers are incredibly cost-effective and practical. Various vendors offer refurbished equipment at affordable prices without any dips in performance. For instance, Dell is one of those companies known for its attention to detail and performance when it comes to service. But that detail sometimes translates to high prices. So, by opting for used Dell servers, you can save a lot and allocate those saved funds to projects that will generate profits for your business.

So, given that some servers can cost up to $3,000, make sure to look for reliable vendors who offer refurbished servers, as you can save staggering amounts of money.

Moving your operations online

At one point you might decide to move some operations of your business online. The first of those operations should be your whole data storage process. This will allow you to dip your toes in the modern way of business operation and see whether it’s for you and your team of employees.

Storing your data online will allow you to free up a lot of space from your servers and enable your employees to access documents even if they are not in the office. This is especially beneficial for businesses that work with freelancers and remote workers.

Bear in mind that you will need a constant and stable internet connection to access your data. In addition to that, it's highly likely that you will be paying a monthly fee based on your storage needs. The more space you require, the more you will have to pay.

The good thing about cloud-based servers is that the provider will automatically make data backups for you. Your personal preferences will decide how often those backups are made. However, bear in mind that sometimes cloud-based software can be a victim of an attack. And the best course of action when it comes to data storage is to make on-cloud and off-cloud backups. This method of hybrid storage will always keep your data safe and your work operations will never get lost.

Carefully review the features

With both of these options, the hardware and the service provider will bring some features to the table. It’s very important to review these features and determine whether they are actually beneficial to your business. For instance, if the cloud service provider offers you only 50 gigabytes of storage option per month for $15 dollars, you should turn it down. Businesses need a lot more space so that they can store all of their data without having to worry about reaching a certain limit.

When it comes to dedicated servers, you will have to take their speed, storage space, and overall performance into account. Most businesses use servers not just to store data, but to run applications and to provide functionality for other programs or devices. Picking up a subpar sever, will not only leave you frustrated, but it will also cost your business money.

Bottom line

The right server option will allow you to enjoy seamless business operations. Carefully review your options and determine whether going online is the right option for you. Bear in mind that the security of the in-house server more than makes up for the capital investment.