The purpose of this blog is to explain what Cloud400 is and how IBM i (iSeries/AS400) users can benefit from cloud hosting rather than remain with an on premise server.
Disclaimer: IBM i is an operating system that runs on IBM POWER. iSeries and AS400 are former IBM servers that users commonly refer to when describing their system. I use these terms interchangeably to make is easy for IBM i users to find relevant content on the web.
Summary Of The Most Important Aspects To A Successful Hosting Solution
What Is Cloud400?
Cloud400 is a hosting service for IBM i (iSeries/AS400) business application software.
Our data centers are located in Minneapolis, MN; Hamel, MN; and Fremont, CA.
If you use IBM i applications, Cloud400 may be an excellent alternative for you instead of an on premise server.
How Does Cloud400 Work?
We buy large new IBM i POWER servers with the most popular IBM software (i.e. IBM i, WebSphere Development Studio (including RPG and COBOL), Query, DB2 Query, iAccess/Client Access, etc.) as well as IBM hardware and software support.
With PowerVM, we virtualize the POWER server to provide dedicated Logical Partitions, or LPARs, for each client tenant on the server. Quite simply we can allocate the right memory, storage and performance to satisfy our clients’ needs.
We never fill up our server more than 60% so we have room for our clients to grow or to provide extra resources for clients that need disaster recovery resources in minutes.
This means you pay a fraction of the cost for POWER i resources. You only pay for what you need. And only for as long as you need it.
Cloud400 Benefits
· 30%-70% Less Expensive Than An On Premise Server Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)
· In-depth IBM i Expertise And Experience
· All-Inclusive Monthly Fee – No Hidden Costs
· IBM Hardware And Software Support Included
· SSAE-16 Safe, Secure, Redundant Data Center
· Encrypted Connection To Your Users
· Done-For-You Daily Backups
· 60-Day Free Trial
Cloud400 Can Be 30%-70% Less Expensive Compared To An On Premise Server Total Cost Of Ownership. With Cloud400, you pay for only what you need and only for as long as you need it. In contrast, most on premise servers come with more performance, memory and storage than you need. This means you generally pay a lot more for an on premise server than what you will use.
In-Depth IBM i Expertise And Experience. Our Cloud400 senior engineers have been working with IBM i since 1988 when the first AS400s were introduced. They are world-class IBM i experts. In essence you outsource your IBM server support to IBM i pros so you can focus on other priorities. Cloud400 handles server support, console system error messages, backups, software patches (PTFs) and Technology Refreshes (TRs). For many small-to-medium users, Cloud400 server support amounts to about $7,000-$10,000 in labor savings per year.
All-Inclusive Monthly Fee – No Hidden Costs. Cloud400 includes the IBM i core activation, user access fees, and the most popular IBM Licensed Program Products (LLPs). When you compare this to the cost of a new IBM POWER server, you easily avoid paying $10,000 – $60,000 or more in extra IBM software fees.
IBM Hardware And Software Support Included. Cloud400 includes IBM i hardware and software support. Depending on the size of your server…or new server…your annual savings range from $3,500 to $30,000 or more.
SSAE -16 Safe, Secure, Redundant Data Center
Cloud400 is certified SSAE-16 safe, secure, redundant and managed with best practices. Our enterprise-class data center has physical security guards, 3 level electronic pass security, redundant power, redundant cooling and redundant access to the internet. Because Cloud400 is built in a former bank vault in the basement of a high-rise office building, it is also bomb-proof.
Encrypted Connections Top Your Users
Most client locations connect their desktops with iAccess to Cloud400 via a securely encrypted point-to-point VPN.
Cloud400 also supports individual remote users, MPLS, and client users who access the system via web portals.
Cloud400 users share pooled Internet bandwidth for 150 MBPS burstable up to 450 MBPS. Currently, we support about 5,000 desktops with an average bandwidth usage of 50 MBPS because IBM i client server protocol is so bandwidth efficient. We closely monitor bandwidth and increase this speed as needed.
As a result, Cloud400 clients are not charged for bandwidth.
Done-For-You Daily Backups
Cloud400 saves client systems daily to a Virtual Tape Library (VTL).
A VTL is a backup appliance that connects to the IBM POWER server like an LTO tape library. The VTL is a 2U rack expansion unit full of high capacity disk storage with RAID protection.
The VTL backup offers Cloud400 clients several advantages:
· VTL saves at disk-to-disk speed – much faster than tape.
· VTL has no single point of failure like a tape drive. Simply, more reliable.
· VTL file retrieval is instantly accessing from disk instead of tape – so you don’t have to retrieve a tape, mount it and search the tape for the file.
· VTL replicates client data offsite from the production data center to the target data center to provide added redundancy and disaster recovery.
Free 60-Day Trial
Ultimately, if Cloud400 looks economically feasible, you want to be sure it will work for you.
Cloud400 Free 60-Day Trial Advantages:
· Risk Free Test Period
· There is nothing to sign.
· There are no hosting or engineering fees.
· If you are not completely satisfied, you can walk away. It won’t cost you a dime.
The trial process is very simple. We need to understand your requirements. We do this with a free Cloud400 proprietary assessment. Then send us a complete system save (Save21) of your system and your firewall connectivity information.
We will have your test LPAR with your environment operational in about 7-10 days.
If you are pleased with the results, we can schedule a Cloud400 go-live.
Want To Know More? Call me at (714) 593-0387 or email me at blosey@source-data.com.
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