6 Essential Concepts To Cut IT Spending
Every week I read articles and blogs about cloud computing.
Clearly, the topic of cloud computing is broad and deep.
My sense is that as authors define and explain key terms and concepts about cloud computing, it becomes more difficult to understand what you need to know if you are interested in hosting your IBM i applications instead of using an on-premise server.
Further, alarming headlines make the process seem scarier than it really is.
As an IBM i user your options are greatly simplified compared to other applications reliant on other platforms, database engines and technologies.
Because your applications run on IBM i, in most cases we can restore your system in a Logical Partition on one of our IBM i servers. That’s right. It is almost like moving your compete application – programs, files, database, and all – by forklift from your server to our server.
Then we connect your users to our server. They access their work as though they are directly attached to a local server.
Conceptually, it is that straightforward.
Let me slow down for a moment because I covered several key points that I want you to understand.
First, a Logical Partition, or LPAR, is a portion of a physical server. If you are familiar with VMware, you already know the concept. We allocate physical resources – processor, memory, and disk storage – to your LPAR – a virtual server – so you have performance that is generally better than your current server. This means your applications will run faster on your LPAR than on your server.
Second, in most cases we connect to your users with Virtual Private Networks (VPN). This creates private encrypted point-to-point connections between your users and the hosted application.
Third, your applications use IBM i secure User Profiles and Passwords. Quite simply, only those authorized with User Profile and Password can access your system.
To summarize, LPAR is your portion of resources – your virtual server — within a larger server. Your LPAR is like a small room in a hotel. Your VPN, User Profile and Password provide your system security foundation. Your VPN, User Profile and Password are the keys to your hotel room.
So, now that we have the basic concept defined, what makes IBM i Application so compelling?
Simple.
It is more secure. You get better support. It cost less.
Here’s how.
First, our servers are in a safe, secure SSAE-16 data center with cyber security, redundancy, limited access, video surveillance, and guards. Even many large companies do not have the level of redundancy and security of SSAE-16 data centers.
Because you host your application in an LPAR instead of a dedicated physical server, the cost of the data center hosting is dramatically less. I understand that data centers charge between $1500 – $3500 per month to host an IBM i server. You don’t pay these kinds of fees.
Second, our servers are supported by IBM i experts. Our IBM i engineers each have 20+ years of field experience. They are focused on IBM i technology. They are not distracted with other technologies, middleware and hypervisors needed to virtualize, provision and manage non-IBM i systems. Our IBM i engineers manage all aspects of the server – backup, OS400 version upgrades, and PTFs.
Third, even the smallest IBM i servers have more performance than most users could hope to use. The costs of a new multi-core server include hardware, activation fees, user-based fees, license fees, and related annual support fees – often more expensive than what users really need. To use my earlier analogy how buying a new server is like buying a hotel, renting a room is way less expensive than buying a hotel, particularly when you only need to rent a room.
How much can you expect IBM i Application Cloud Hosting to cost?
We are sure you will find cloud hosting to be 30%-70% less expensive than the total cost of ownership of a new on-premise server. The savings are even more dramatic if you include the cost of hosting the server at a data center.
Here are the 6 concepts:
1) LPAR – the small portion of a larger server you need to support your work,
2) VPN – the secure connection between your users and your hosted applications,
3) IBM i secure User Profile and Password are your controls to keep the bad guys out
4) SSAE-16 data center is way more secure than even most large organizaations’ data center,
5) IBM i expert support is stronger support than most companies can afford inhouse
6) The cost of an LPAR is a fraction of the Total Cost of Ownership of a new on-premise server.
What to learn more?
Checkout:
https://www.source-data.com/cloud-400/
email me at: blosey@source-data.com
or call me at: 714-593-0387
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