managed service – Wowrack Blog https://www.wowrack.com/blog Mon, 13 Feb 2023 19:33:01 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.7.1 https://www.wowrack.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/fav.png managed service – Wowrack Blog https://www.wowrack.com/blog 32 32 Wowrack Offers Cloud Hosting for Mid-Market Companies https://www.wowrack.com/blog/wowrack-delivers-enterprise-grade-hosting-and-infrastructure-solutions-to-help-mid-market-businesses-operate-with-agility/ https://www.wowrack.com/blog/wowrack-delivers-enterprise-grade-hosting-and-infrastructure-solutions-to-help-mid-market-businesses-operate-with-agility/#respond Fri, 21 Jan 2022 09:10:00 +0000 https://www.wowrack.com/blog/?p=1782 Efficient IT infrastructure management is imperative to the success of a company. It allows companies to operate with high-level performance and agility to bolster their online presence and internal growth. But infrastructure management is often a significant pain point for IT operations teams within these companies. The IT infrastructure space is complex, and new cloud […]

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Efficient IT infrastructure management is imperative to the success of a company. It allows companies to operate with high-level performance and agility to bolster their online presence and internal growth. But infrastructure management is often a significant pain point for IT operations teams within these companies.

The IT infrastructure space is complex, and new cloud migrations have only added to the problem. The work involved in managing hosting and servers can be a tall order for IT departments or companies that manage their own hosting and can decrease their overall productivity.

According to a survey by INAP, the top IT challenges companies faced in 2020 were cybersecurity, cloud management, and skilled IT talent acquisition. With IT teams overloaded with development tasks, businesses need more help from infrastructure providers to support their hardware management.

Wowrack works as a partner to help ease the burden of infrastructure management. The company prides itself on collaborating with customers to meet their needs and delivering solutions to their complicated IT issues.

“​​With managed services and infrastructure, we can host them in our private cloud services, provide web hosting or public cloud management, like AWS and Google Kubernetes. So we’re more of a hands-on service provider,” said Erward (Ed) Osckar, Founding Partner of Wowrack.

Since launching in 2001, Wowrack has delivered enterprise-grade hosting and infrastructure solutions to mid-market businesses. Its wide range of services allows companies to find all their hosting needs under one roof. Today, Wowrack is once again featured in the most prestigious blog in the web hosting industry, discussing the current and future plans of the company.


Managed Cloud Hosting Solutions with Increased Security

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Wowrack ran into several uncertainties, and so did its client base. But at the start of 2021, the company began to bounce back from the obstacles that COVID had brought. The company returned to a growth pattern, and its customers also found their footing.

“Our customers are getting projects moving, getting things updated and upgraded. Although we’re still in this pandemic, businesswise, we have seen recovery, and it’s speeding to get better,” said Ed.

Wowrack helps customers save time and money by providing a complete package of managed hosting solutions. Its services range from infrastructure installation to system administration and maintenance. Wowrack also offers several hosting and colocation options, including hybrid cloud, dedicated hosting, and full cabinet colocation, among others.

In 2021, Wowrack also set out to enhance its cybersecurity offerings. As threats increase online and on the cloud, companies will need to increase their protection. But most of them don’t know where to begin or overlook the urgency of cybersecurity.

“A lot of organizations don’t understand what the threats are out there, how to mitigate it, and how to deal with it if they aren’t affected by it. So, we not only consult with our customers, but we have helped them get out of ransomware or attacks,” said Ed.

Wowrack not only offers managed cloud hosting services but also managed security. Its expert cybersecurity team monitors and patches threats, keeps up with the latest trends, including DDoS attacks, and is available at all times for an affordable price.

Businesses can also use its reliable backup services to ensure their data is never lost. Wowrack facilitates the entire process from initial installation to scheduling and recovery.


Fostering Customer Relationships Built on Trust

Wowrack hails from humble beginnings. Ed and his Founding Partner Jimmy Pandra started in an apartment studio running only six servers. Wowrack now has 5,000-plus clients globally and sustains more than 10,000 servers and 15 global datacenters around the clock.

The Wowrack team understands what it takes to achieve success, and it also recognizes the role its customers have played in that success. Gaining and maintaining customer trust has been a priority for the company since its inception. Wowrack values its relationships and sets out to solve its customers’ IT problems above all else.

Mid-market businesses are Wowrack’s core customer demographic, but it also works with a few large banks and tech companies.

Wowrack accompanies its clients along the cloud infrastructure adoption process. Ed said the team focuses on helping and advising wherever it can to improve a client’s IT operations.

“We would be a natural extension of their teams, such as their sysadmin, their network admin, or their security admin. And we are also their trusted adviser, as to, providing insights on technologies and how they can transform and drive their business,” said Ed.

The Wowrack team caters to client needs by providing a personalized approach to customer service. Wowrack gets to know its clients and figures out what strategy will work best for them. Ed said the goal is to help internal IT teams optimize their productivity and focus on the more critical areas of their jobs while Wowrack manages the operational side.

“We don’t take it lightly. I think how we gain the trust of our customers is we don’t sell. We give them solutions. And that trust factor is important in how we can keep and grow our business,” said Ed.


Extending its Reach into New Markets and Countries

As the hosting space grows increasingly crowded, Wowrack has evolved to meet the market’s demands and remain competitive.

“It’s a tough market and more competition with how people consume hosting and cloud. But we were fortunate in 2020, and we had a record year in revenue and profit. We had a good year in 2021 also. So we’re hoping to use that to grow the company in 2022,” said Ed.

The company also seeks to branch out domestically. Wowrack plans to enter other markets, expand its product features, and deploy in more US cities. Ed said the company will work more with server stadium brands and dedicated servers.

Wowrack will also add more automation to its services to simplify the hosting process. Customers will only need to place an order for a server, and that order builds automatically. And if the customer cancels, the commission will shut down right away as well.

Wowrack’s plans for expansion don’t stop there. Ed said the company has its sights on increasing its operation overseas.

“Going to different markets, especially in Asia, is exciting for us because there’s a lot of exponential growth that’s going on in Asia. So we’re hopeful that we can participate there and maybe partner with some local companies or conglomerates to offer our services,” said Ed.

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6 Reasons for Using Managed Services in Your Business https://www.wowrack.com/blog/6-reasons-for-using-managed-services-in-your-business/ https://www.wowrack.com/blog/6-reasons-for-using-managed-services-in-your-business/#respond Thu, 09 Dec 2021 05:26:34 +0000 https://www.wowrack.com/blog/?p=1741 Tired of in-house IT upkeep? Still unsure about what to choose from an IT provider? Here we will give you 6 reasons for using managed services in your business. Computer, or IT in general, is always something unique since its birth. Moore’s law truly describes it perfectly. In layman’s words, it says that computer performance […]

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Tired of in-house IT upkeep? Still unsure about what to choose from an IT provider? Here we will give you 6 reasons for using managed services in your business.

Computer, or IT in general, is always something unique since its birth. Moore’s law truly describes it perfectly. In layman’s words, it says that computer performance will always double every two years.

It means that every two years the IT industries will always have innovations. Meanwhile, in-house IT infrastructure will always be lagging. This could spell disaster for business, especially in the current digital environment.

One of the ways you can do to keep with the current digital environment is to integrate managed service into your business. Here, you can find what a managed service is and why you should use it.

What is Manage Service

First, let’s answer the question of “what is managed service?”

Manage service is a term that describes the outsourcing use of a third party in maintaining, managing, and administrating anything related to IT. It can be your infrastructure, security, or storage among other things.

In 2025, Statista projected that this type of IT service will reach a market cap of around $356 billion. It shows how businesses shift from in-house IT service to outsourcing others that specialized in it.

Small to medium business is the one that is most profited from this trend. It allows them to keep up and even compete with middle to enterprise-level within the digital market.

Why Use Managed Services?

Now that we have cleared the basics of what managed service is, we can immediately go to a more in-depth explanation of why you should use this service.

Generally, there are 6 benefits that you can receive from outsourcing your IT management.

1. Handled by Expert

Handling by the expert for your IT infrastructure will be the first benefit of using a managed service.

As previously mentioned, development and innovation within the IT world always come at a quick pace. This would result in some businesses being unable to keep up with the pace.

Meanwhile, MSP or Managed Service Provider has the sole focus on keeping up with the current IT development and innovation. Thus, they will have all the experts needed in operating an up-to-date IT infrastructure.

2. Low Cost

Businesses that use managed services can also reduce the spending needed to keep IT running. This could range from the infrastructure and especially the labor cost.

An agreement between business and MSP can also make sure that there will be no unnecessary service costs. This allows business to shift their expense model into that operating expense model.

3. Easy to Scale

There are times when demand in the business is high and there are times when it is low. Meanwhile, most of the in-house IT infrastructure will stay the way they are. It means that businesses risk overloading or even underloading their IT.

One of the benefits of using MSP is it allows businesses to adjust the IT capacity according to real-time needs. As such you can easily scale your service accordingly.

4. 24/7 Support

MSP will often provide 24/7 support for your business depending on the plan you choose. Thus, you can easily contact or request help at the moment’s notice. MSP with around the globe coverage will be much better in this regard.

5. Minimized Downtime

The experience of most in-house IT users is to fix something that has already broken. This could cost precious time and money to be wasted from the resulting downtime.

By using managed service, you can minimize such downtime with the help of an expert within the MSP. They will proactively maintain and secure your IT infrastructure.

6. Focus on Your Business

The biggest reason for using a managed service is so you can focus more on your business. Today, a growing business means growing IT requirements. This often results in a distraction from your core business.

A good MSP can offer you a flexible service model, be it as an addition to your current team or handle all of your IT needs. In this way, you can back to put your focus on developing and growing the business.

How Wowrack can Help You

With over 20 years of experience in the IT world, Wowrack stands ready to provide white-glove treatment for all of your IT needs. Certified experts, flexible service plans, and advanced tools will allow you to focus entirely on your business.

So, are you ready to advance your business? Let’s get started!

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Microsoft’s ReFS vs NTFS system Which is Better? https://www.wowrack.com/blog/microsofts-latest-system-refs-compared-to-ntfs/ https://www.wowrack.com/blog/microsofts-latest-system-refs-compared-to-ntfs/#respond Tue, 07 May 2019 04:40:55 +0000 https://www.wowrack.com/blog/?p=1418 Microsoft always continues to make improvements to their systems and services. This time, Microsoft launch ReFS system as a repair system for NTFS. NTFS itself has been released by Microsoft along with when released Windows XP. NTFS is the primary file system for recent versions of Windows and Windows Server, that provides a full set […]

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Microsoft always continues to make improvements to their systems and services. This time, Microsoft launch ReFS system as a repair system for NTFS. NTFS itself has been released by Microsoft along with when released Windows XP.

NTFS is the primary file system for recent versions of Windows and Windows Server, that provides a full set of features including security descriptors, encryption, disk quotas, and rich metadata, and can be used with Cluster Shared Volumes (CSV) to provide continuously available volumes that can be accessed simultaneously from multiple nodes of a failover cluster.

So, what is ReFS?

Resilient File System (ReFS) is Microsoft’s newest file system, that designed to maximize data availability, scale efficiently to large data sets across diverse workloads, and provide data integrity by means of resiliency to corruption. The ReFS used to detect all types of disk corruption, data striping and also copy-on-write features. ReFS is a newest system of Windows based on NTFS, and in other words, this is an update system to complete the Windows NTFS system.

Basically, the ReFS system is better than the NTFS system. Because the NTFS system has several limitations that have been improved by the system. ReFS supports features that already exist in NTFS such as BitLocker encryption, access control lists for security, USN journaling, change notifications, symbolic links, junction points, mount points, reparse points, volume snapshots, file IDs, and OpLocks.

How does it work?

ReFS uses checksums for metadata and optionally for data files and has the ability to detect damage reliably. Additionally it can automatically repair detected damage using alternative data copies provided by Storage Spaces. ReFS can delete corrupt data when the volume is damaged and a copy of the data is damaged and it can handle most irreparable damage. ReFS introduces a data integrity scanner, known as a scrubber, which can periodically scans volumes, identifies damage and proactively triggers corrupt data repair. However, this system cannot be used for booting PCs or used in external media such as USB flash disks or memory cards.

Some of the advantages of ReFS compared to NTFS include the field of hyper-V and backup applications.

On Hyper-V, ReFS has some advantages:

  1. The “Block Cloning” feature can accelerate copy operations, enabling quick, low-impact VM checkpoint merge operations, which in turn reduces the disk I/O load
  2. The “Sparse VDL” feature can zero files rapidly, reducing the time needed to create fixed VHDs from 10s of minutes to mere seconds.

However, it’s not suitable for SAN-based cluster shared storage, at least for now, because the Hyper-V cluster will always put the ReFS CSV on “File System Redirected” mode, which caused the owner node to be the only one accessing the SAN, while the other nodes are accessing the storage over the cluster network (I’ve seen no SAN traffic flowing on the other nodes, only on the owner node). See below for more details:

This is on a ReFS CSV:

BlockRedirectedIOReason: NotBlockRedirected

FileSystemRedirectedIOReason: FileSystemReFs

Name: HVC-Prod-Disk3

Node: WOWHVC3

StateInfo: FileSystemRedirected

VolumeFriendlyName: HVC-Prod-Disk3

VolumeName: \\?\Volume{ee02dcb9-8066-458f-8fb4-cc974f8be89a}\

And this is on a NTFS CSV:

BlockRedirectedIOReason: NotBlockRedirected

FileSystemRedirectedIOReason : NotFileSystemRedirected

Name: HVC-Prod-Disk1

Node: WOWHVC3

StateInfo: Direct

VolumeFriendlyName: HVC-Prod-Disk1

VolumeName: \\?\Volume{7973af21-ee14-4d9e-aada-314e8b8d8850}\

With NTFS, all nodes are accessing the SAN storage using DirectIO, which should give us better performance.

But ReFS is okay for Storage Spaces Direct (S2D) configuration, since there is no shared storage anyway (every nodes have direct-attached disks) so all access is essentially redirected.

For Backup Applications, the advantages are as follows:

System Center DPM 2016 is actually using the resilient file system by default for the backup storage, as it utilizes the “block-cloning” technology on ReFS to accelerate the backup process. It’s a part of the “Modern Backup Storage” technology that SCDPM 2016 offers.

DPM 2016 uses block cloning to store backups on ReFS volumes. Instead of using copy-on-write to store backups (which was used by VolSnap in DPM 2012 R2), DPM 2016’s block cloning uses allocate-on-write. This change improves IOPS efficiency, making backups nearly 70% faster.

Veeam also recommends ReFS for the backup storage, as it also utilizes the same “block cloning” technology on ReFS (Veeam calls it “fast cloning capability”) to speed up the backup process.

Version 9.5 leverages the fast cloning capability in ReFS API to create synthetic backups without moving the data blocks between files, and instead, references backup file blocks already present on the volume. This means all manipulations associated with synthetic full backups are limited to metadata updates and require no actual I/O operations on backed up data.

Another advantage of using ReFS for backup storage is: it enables us to scale-up the backup storage capacity up to 35 PB (compared to a maximum of 256TB on NTFS)

So, to conclude this story:

  1. On Hyper-V Cluster, use NTFS on SAN-based storage, and use ReFS on Storage Spaces Direct (S2D) storage
  2. On a Standalone Hyper-V server, use ReFS so that we can take advantage of the “Block Cloning” and “Sparse VDL” feature, which can accelerate VM checkpoint merge operations and fixed VHD creation. However, please be advised that a ReFS partition can be expanded, but cannot be shrunk, so if you know that you will need to shrink the partition in the future, please use NTFS.
  3. On Backup servers using SCDPM 2016 or Veeam B&R 9.5, use ReFS on the Backup Disk/Storage to accelerate the backup process

Curious what Wowrack can do for you? Contact us today to learn more!

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If You’re Asking Yourself These Questions, It’s Time to Outsource Your IT https://www.wowrack.com/blog/youre-asking-questions-time-outsource/ https://www.wowrack.com/blog/youre-asking-questions-time-outsource/#respond Wed, 27 Dec 2017 01:41:27 +0000 https://www.wowrack.com/blog/?p=1045 How do you know when it’s the right time to make changes to how your company’s IT is handled? This is a difficult decision companies need to make, especially those who conduct most of their business online. And, for companies that already have an in-house IT team, we can understand your hesitation with moving to […]

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How do you know when it’s the right time to make changes to how your company’s IT is handled? This is a difficult decision companies need to make, especially those who conduct most of their business online. And, for companies that already have an in-house IT team, we can understand your hesitation with moving to a managed service provider. But, if you seem to be asking yourself these questions repeatedly, then it may be time to say “yes” to the experts, and bring your IT team in for the conversation.

1) “Am I giving IT too many responsibilities?”

Regardless of whether or not you outsource your IT, your in-house team has a lot on their plate no matter what. Because of this, companies generally choose to have an in-house IT team working alongside managed services to make sure their network is constantly at the top of its game. If you are giving IT too many jobs to do, then they are going to have a hard time making sure all the roles are being met. So, if your IT person or team has already expressed this to you, then it’s time to hand over some of those responsibilities to a managed cloud hosting provider.

2) “What happens if there is a data breach?”

If a data breach is one of your biggest concerns right now (and, it should be), then that’s a good enough reason as any to begin outsourcing your IT. There’s no sense in taking any risk at all with how far your company has come. Why take any chances? A managed hosting provider can take this worry off your hands. In addition, they can come up with a disaster recovery solution just for your company, while also helping you pass compliance standards if you’re dealing with sensitive information from your customers.

3) “Is my business expanding at a rapid rate, but support isn’t measuring up?”

Perhaps when you first started, you just had a website, hosted by one of those generic providers. But, now, things have changed (for the better). Now, your website has consistent traffic 24/7 a day, and you cannot risk a potential traffic jam slowing down your business. If you require a network that can support what you’re dealing with, then don’t stress. Just hand it over to a managed hosting provider and let them deal with the rest.

Wowrack can help you answer all your questions about hiring a managed cloud hosting provider. Contact us today to learn more.

4) “Does my network require a specific infrastructure?”

Speaking of expanding your business, are you even set-up to do something like that in the first place? This has probably got you thinking. If you’re not sure how all the stuff works behind the scenes — a cloud architecture, different types of products, etc. — then don’t sit around trying to do it by yourself. It’s time to talk to a professional about the best options available.

5) “Am I too busy to worry about any of this?”

If any of the previous questions have come up at all, then you’ve probably dismissed them with a, “Wow, I’m too busy to even be concerned with this right now.” We get you. You shouldn’t have to be concerned with managing your your network on this scale. While that doesn’t mean you’re excused from all responsibilities, you have other things you need to take care of in the office. Let someone else do the worrying.

It’s hard to know when is the right time to finally move your network over to a managed service provider. If you’ve been asking yourself any of these questions, then you know what it is you need to do!

 

 

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Turning to Managed Services Should be Your Company’s New Year Resolution https://www.wowrack.com/blog/turning-managed-services-companys-new-year-resolution/ https://www.wowrack.com/blog/turning-managed-services-companys-new-year-resolution/#respond Wed, 20 Dec 2017 02:06:29 +0000 https://www.wowrack.com/blog/?p=1039 Next year, companies can expect to see many new trends in IT, data, and cybersecurity. As companies continue to move over more of their workload onto the cloud, there are always more things to consider. Whether it’s finding the best infrastructure for your company’s unique network, practicing compliance laws, or having someone manage all your […]

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Next year, companies can expect to see many new trends in IT, data, and cybersecurity. As companies continue to move over more of their workload onto the cloud, there are always more things to consider. Whether it’s finding the best infrastructure for your company’s unique network, practicing compliance laws, or having someone manage all your IT needs, you don’t want to be trailing behind the competition as the new year approaches. That’s why hiring n managed cloud hosting provider should be your number one New Year’s resolution.

Here’s why:

 

Expand Your Business

Choosing a cloud hosting option that’s scalable gives you the best opportunity to have your network grow with your business in the future. Many companies hold off on moving to the cloud because they feel as though they aren’t quite ready to do so. Perhaps they don’t yet have the funds or the client-base to make that kind of change. However, making the move to the cloud in the beginning stages will not only make your business more accessible to more people, but it will also allow you to save money in the long run. This is because most MSPs offer scalable solutions, so you don’t need to pay for what you aren’t using right now — you can always make the necessary upgrades later on.

 

Take More Time for What Matters

Turning to an MSP means that in addition to gifting your company a brand new infrastructure set-up next year, you will also have the support of a professional provider. This means they will manage everything, while you continue doing the many jobs you need to do as a company leader. If you have a lot of projects you’re hoping to get done next year, managing your network shouldn’t get in the way. Make it your resolution to work on what you need to do, while an MSP stays on top of the rest. After all, why risk losing all the hard work you’ve done when your MSP can provide amazing backup and disaster recovery solutions?

 

Wowrack wants you to be on the right track for next year. Contact us to learn more.

 

Keep the Important Jobs in the Hand of Professionals

Is not knowing who to trust holding you back from making some changes for next year? That’s understandable, and exactly why we stress the importance of making sure you can trust your MSP. This is why Wowrack offers data center tours to ensure you’re getting a good look at the services you’ll be receiving. Therefore, you can feel confident knowing that this important job lies in the hands of a  dedicated team of experts. There will always be someone available that can solve the problem your network may be presenting, but ultimately, the team will help recognize any problems well before they occur.

Also, it helps to know that if something does happen — for instance, a data breach — you won’t necessarily be the one held completely responsible.

 

Provide Consistent Customer Satisfaction

Lastly, a major goal you should have for the upcoming year is to continue growing that trust between you and your clients. One of the ways to achieve this is by maximizing your security standards, thereby ensuring your customers that you’re doing everything in your power to mitigate risks that could have the potential to leak their information. This is why, depending on the industry you’re in, it’s so important to practice compliance laws. Opting for the services of an MSP as one of your New Year’s resolutions will help you bring in more customers, and improve your CRM overall. Additionally, it will keep you safe from problems like shut-downs, delays, data disasters, breaches, and visits from auditors. A strong approach to this means happy customers.

 

So, what’s the hold up? Let us help you achieve the New Year’s resolutions you have for your company.

 

 

 

 

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Are You Ready for Wowrack’s Data Center Tour? https://www.wowrack.com/blog/ready-wowracks-data-center-tour/ https://www.wowrack.com/blog/ready-wowracks-data-center-tour/#comments Wed, 13 Dec 2017 01:22:21 +0000 https://www.wowrack.com/blog/?p=1037 If you’re thinking about choosing a new managed cloud hosting service provider, there are a lot of things you want to check, first. One of the first things you should take a look at is the data centers in which your server will be hosted. Seeing a data center for yourself gives you the opportunity […]

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If you’re thinking about choosing a new managed cloud hosting service provider, there are a lot of things you want to check, first. One of the first things you should take a look at is the data centers in which your server will be hosted. Seeing a data center for yourself gives you the opportunity to ask additional questions if you see something you don’t like or you’re not sure about. However, if your prospective MSP doesn’t willingly take you to their data center and has numerous excuses as to why they can’t take you there, then that should make some red flags go off.

Here at Wowrack, not only do we take you on a tour of a data center, but we also host open houses every so often to welcome large groups of those who just want to come by and check it out.

The next data center tour is January 10th. After all, what better way to start the New Year and gift your company’s network a new home?

 

Why Going on a Data Center Tour is Important

Since the data center is the selected location of where your server will be stored, it’s super important to know what this is going to look like. And, in general (but not always) seeing one data center will give you a good sense of what the other MSP’s data centers look like, too.

Seeing a data center for yourself can, for one, show you the obvious things. For instance, you can see if the data center is physically secured, if there is a cooling system in place, and overall, how the machinery looks. If it seems dusty, cluttered, and there are loose wires sticking out every which way, you may want to take a look at some other data centers, too. It also gives you a chance to learn more about how it all works, as well ask any questions that come to mind or haven’t already been answered.

Which, brings us to our next point…

 

What Questions You Should Ask

When it comes to as something as big as this, you want to make sure you’re absolutely certain before making the time and monetary investment. This is another way to get a good read on your prospective MSP. If they seem hesitant to answer your questions or are making you feel uncomfortable by asking them in the first place, then you might get a good sense of how your experience will be in the long term.

And, if you can’t think of any questions, here are some examples to get the juices flowing:

 

  • Security – Who has access to the building? Have there have been break-ins?
  • Electrical Infrastructure – How is this place getting power? How many distribution, backup systems, and generators are there?
  • Troubleshooting – What happens if there is a problem with my equipment?

 

If you’d like to attend our Data Center Tour, Contact us today to make an appointment.

 

Registration for Wowrack’s Data Center Tour

Here at Wowrack, we believe there shouldn’t be any mystery. We pride ourselves on being transparent, so what you see is what you get.

In just a few weeks our Data Center Tour will take place on January 10th, 2018 from 9 AM to 3:30 PM, in Tukwila, Washington. Come and see for yourself the quality of the servers we maintain.

 

What to Do if you Can’t Make it This Time

If you can’t make it to this Data Center Tour, no worries! Wowrack always has our doors open (of course, not the doors to our secured data center) so you can make an appointment for a time that works best for you.

 

 

 

 

 

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Getting To Know Your Managed Services Team https://www.wowrack.com/blog/getting-know-managed-services-team/ https://www.wowrack.com/blog/getting-know-managed-services-team/#respond Wed, 06 Dec 2017 02:02:33 +0000 https://www.wowrack.com/blog/?p=1034 When you hear the term “managed service provider” what image immediately pops into your head? Is it a single person you can call to help you? Or, a company that will allocate someone to send to you when you have a problem? Though it might be somewhat a combination of these things, remember that the […]

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When you hear the term “managed service provider” what image immediately pops into your head? Is it a single person you can call to help you? Or, a company that will allocate someone to send to you when you have a problem? Though it might be somewhat a combination of these things, remember that the right managed service provider will actually be an entire team, with each team member working together to serve your company’s needs.

That being said, if you’re a business leader, then you know all too well the stress that can come with working with multiple people at once. However, like with any team, if your MSP does this collaboration correctly, you’ll have even less to worry about.

Here’s how it works:

 

Who Are They?

A managed services team consists of experts in their field, like architects, security experts, monitors, etc. Generally, team members are labeled as “engineers” and should be the top of their game. By working with a team, you can feel confident knowing that someone will be there no matter when you need them. 7 days a week, 365 days a year, 24 hours a day — this is one of the benefits of having a team take care of your network as opposed to a single individual.

 

Different Expertise Across the Board

Of course, although you’re working with one team, that team is working with clients on cloud systems located world-wide. Even so, this shouldn’t take away from the quality of services they are supposed to be providing you with. If this is executed correctly, then the managed services team will help you with a whole number of things. This should include, but not be limited to:

  • IT, Cloud architect, and Strategy services
  • Network engineers who run 100% SLA networks
  • System administrators that monitor and manage your specific network design and infrastructure
  • Security engineers and services
  • An IT Operation team to manage IT duties while you sleep

Wowrack will provide your company with the best managed services team out there. Contact us to learn more!

 

An Easy to Follow, Step by Step Process

It’s clear that by working with a team you have different experts taking care of different jobs. This will ensure that the right people are managing the right parts of your network at all times. No need to worry about things like, “this guy really doesn’t know what he’s doing…” but, instead, the peace of mind of that comes with each team member following a specific role in the process.

And, a managed services team should be able to guide you through this process from the very beginning. Here’s a general idea of how it will look:

  • 1) Infrastructure Design: The MSP team will build you a unique infrastructure that answers all of those challenging questions, such as, “What server hardware do I use?” or “How do I distribute our application load efficiently around the globe?”
  • 2) Implementation: That infrastructure will then by implemented by the Systems and Network Architect working closely with Deployment Team.
  • 3) Networking: Whether you need to connect the private cloud you already have to a public cloud provider like AWS, or you need to build a secure private network from scratch that is able to span across the globe, your managed services team will help you do this with its network engineers.
  • 4) Monitoring: Don’t worry if something goes wrong thereafter. Your managed services team will stay on top of it by setting up your network into different layers that can easily be monitored.
  • 5) Security: Whatever compliance practices need to be followed will be implemented into your system, as well as a strong Disaster Recovery approach in case something goes wrong.

 

As the old saying goes, “two heads are better than one.” And, when it comes to your company’s network, you deserve the very best set of heads, dedicated to working together to give you exactly what you need.

 

 

 

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Need to Pass Compliance Standards for Your Company? Leave It To Your Provider https://www.wowrack.com/blog/need-pass-compliance-standards-company-leave-provider/ https://www.wowrack.com/blog/need-pass-compliance-standards-company-leave-provider/#respond Thu, 23 Nov 2017 00:45:10 +0000 https://www.wowrack.com/blog/?p=1020 When we think of “compliance” we tend to think of companies who work in the Payment Card Industry or the Healthcare Industry, who have to take consistent and proactive measures to adhere to compliance standards. However, though PCI DSS and HIPAA may ring a bell for most people, it’s important to recognize that there are […]

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When we think of “compliance” we tend to think of companies who work in the Payment Card Industry or the Healthcare Industry, who have to take consistent and proactive measures to adhere to compliance standards. However, though PCI DSS and HIPAA may ring a bell for most people, it’s important to recognize that there are different compliance standards for each industry. Whether your company is in finance, business, medicine, etc., cybersecurity is a risk for everyone, and it needs to be taken seriously.

 

That being said, it’s not always as easy as it sounds. Companies first need to be aware what kind of compliance laws apply to their business, and how they can set up the best infrastructure to reach those compliance goals.

 

Not sure where to start?

 

Then leave it to your provider to get you situated, get you and your customers protected, and of course, prepare yourself for auditors.

 

What Compliance Category Do You Fall Into?

So, we’ve got healthcare and payment card industries pretty much covered. But, there are a lot of companies outside of these categories that need to follow compliance policies as well, since they are dealing with some kind of sensitive information. To give you an idea, here are some examples of companies who have more serious compliance needs:

 

FISMA – FISMA stands for the “Federal Information Security Management Act” which was implemented by the U.S. government in order to protect sensitive government information against threats. It’s meant for companies who work with federal agencies or with federal contracts to keep information out of the wrong hands and ultimately keep risks low. FISMA Compliance is monitored by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

 

GLBA – GLBA, or “The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act” was passed nearly twenty years ago to ensure that financial institutions — such as those that offer loans, insurance, or financial consulting — are held responsible when it comes to how they handle the private information of the individuals they serve.  This category of compliance makes sure these companies are safeguarding sensitive data and are transparent with how they manage information-sharing.

 

SOX – Do you invest some money in stocks? Whether you do so as an individual or as a company, the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act” oversees enterprises to make sure there are no fraudulent practices or accounting errors. This is done by forcing these companies to give full disclosure about their operations. Essentially, SOX is there to help eliminate financial scandals by forcing these companies to keep all business records and messages on file through appropriate data classification tools.

 

There are other types of compliance categories as well, including specific certifications to grant compliance in one area. Some examples of these are AES-256 Protection or FIPS Certification 140-2.

 

Not sure what you need?

 

Most companies should already know very well what they need to be compliant in. But, managing and achieving that compliance may be way out of their expertise — and, actually, it should be. No company should be managing their own compliance, except for what their managed hosting provider instructs them to do on their end.

 

Concerned about compliance? Wowrack provides regulatory compliance for a number of different industries, all under one roof. Contact us to learn more!

 

On the Right Path to Compliance

Companies who don’t follow compliance laws are seriously putting themselves and their customers at risk. Between hefty fines, ruining your business’ reputation, and even the possibility of imprisonment, failure to have your company prove its compliance isn’t up for debate.

 

Furthermore, if it’s going to be done, it needs to be done correctly. This is why it’s important to turn to a professional and experienced managed cloud hosting provider who will take care of your infrastructure, documents, monitor your security risks, and stay up to date with compliance laws so you don’t miss a beat.
Managing compliance standards can be stressful. Thankfully, your MSP can take it off of your hands and lift that weight off your shoulders.

 

 

 

 

 

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Do You Understand How Good Internet Service Really Works? https://www.wowrack.com/blog/understand-good-internet-service-really-works/ https://www.wowrack.com/blog/understand-good-internet-service-really-works/#respond Wed, 11 Oct 2017 02:44:17 +0000 https://www.wowrack.com/blog/?p=974 When it comes to using Internet for your business, it’s okay to be picky about your options, especially if your business relies heavily on having strong, reliable Internet access. Unfortunately, a lot of business leaders aren’t really aware of the details about how Internet connectivity works, and to most people, the question simply is whether […]

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When it comes to using Internet for your business, it’s okay to be picky about your options, especially if your business relies heavily on having strong, reliable Internet access. Unfortunately, a lot of business leaders aren’t really aware of the details about how Internet connectivity works, and to most people, the question simply is whether or not they can connect when they need to

But, as you start to use Internet more and more for your business, you might end up learning the hard way that there’s a lot more that goes into having good Internet — and good Internet service overall. Obviously, both need to be reliable in order to get the best bang for your buck. Of course, part of investing in reliable Internet service is knowing what you’re getting, or in some cases, not getting.

Do you understand how your Internet service really works? These points should help you make sure you’re asking the right questions to your prospective ISP.

 

The Right Fiber Technology

The way people have connected to the Internet has changed dramatically over the years. As technology has improved, Internet Service Providers want to make sure they are providing the best packages possible to their customers.

That being said, you want to make sure your ISP is using the right fiber technology. Fibers can allow for the fastest possible connection, up to 10gbps.

That’s fast.

But, is it right for your business?

 

What Do You Get in Addition to High-Speeds?

Okay, high-speed Internet — that’s good, right?

Yes, it is. But, speed isn’t everything.

When you’re investing in the support of an Internet Service Provider, you want to see what else you get in addition to that high speed. Is there cloud backup available, and to what degree? How much server space are you getting? And, what about actual SERVICE? Will your ISP be there when you need them, without having to pay extra?

When you take all those questions into account, it’s clear that just having fast connectivity speeds isn’t the only thing that makes Internet services “good.”

 

Wowrack offers scalable Internet packages at a competitive price. Contact us today to learn more.

 

Is it Scalable?

As we mentioned before, the quality of the Internet is one thing. But, the quality of the Internet service itself is another. Part of having good Internet service is understanding whether or not the package you’re getting is scalable.

Much like the advancement of Internet technology, your business’ needs can change overtime. So, you don’t want to sign a contract with an ISP that keeps you locked into the largest, most expensive package, especially if money is tight.

Business might become slow. Business might grow rapidly. The thing is, you never really know.

You want the ability to change your Internet package whenever you need to. Because, if it’s not scalable, it’s not good Internet.

 

There are tons of Internet Service Providers out there. But, what is it that they are really providing, and how does one company stand out from the competition?

 

 

 

 

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Expanding Your Business to Be On More Than One Cloud https://www.wowrack.com/blog/expanding-business-one-cloud/ https://www.wowrack.com/blog/expanding-business-one-cloud/#respond Tue, 12 Sep 2017 02:47:22 +0000 https://www.wowrack.com/blog/?p=960 When you utilize a managed service provider that will help you put your business onto the cloud, there are a lot of questions to ask. Are you needs being met? Is the cost appropriate? Are you really able to do what you need to do? Not only is the cloud a great place to store […]

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When you utilize a managed service provider that will help you put your business onto the cloud, there are a lot of questions to ask. Are you needs being met? Is the cost appropriate? Are you really able to do what you need to do?

Not only is the cloud a great place to store your data, but having a professional manage it while you sleep is a huge weight lifted off your shoulders. Although each company may have a different infrastructure and utilization of the cloud, most users choose from the three main public clouds: Amazon AWS, Microsoft’s Azure, or Google Cloud.

But, what if you can’t choose just one? Or, what if you want the services of a cloud hosting provider, but you don’t want to stray away from what you’ve been using?

 

There’s a solution!

 

Why Flexibility with the Cloud is an Important Component

People like having choices, especially when it comes to the best interest of their business. One public cloud system might be a better suit for you than another. Depending on what your needs are, you might choose one service over another, or maybe you’ll choose components from more than one. This could depend highly on your budget, the scalability options of the cloud, or how flexible their plans are. Whatever the case may be, it’s important that you get those needs met and have complete accessibility to the cloud, or clouds, whenever you need it.

 

A Dual-Layered Cloud System

Let’s say you your business is being hosted on one of of these public clouds, but you want the additional support of a managed service provider. You don’t want to switch from what you’re currently using, since you’ve already got your business well invested in the cloud. How can you have both?

Some MSPs over a unique dual-layered cloud system, which allows you to connect to the public cloud you’re using via the MSPs data center. This means you don’t have to limit yourself and be locked within one cloud. You could think of this as an express connection through a port that allows you to go where you want on the cloud, when you want.

 

With Wowrack’s “MegaWow Direct Route & Express Route Cloud Cross Connections,” you can access the public cloud when you need it, all while getting the managed support you need.  Contact us today to learn more.

 

The Best of Both Worlds

With a unique option like this, the possibilities are endless. You’ll get the operating system and infrastructure support by professionals 24/7, security standards met, and the ability to freely move business data workloads. Also, by accessing the public cloud through your MSPs data center, taking care of business is easy with a simple control panel to manage your activity.

 

Pay as You Go

This is a very specific and interesting type of network arrangement, but guess what? It doesn’t need to be expensive. That’s because this kind of direct connect and express route service is pay as you go, on demand. So, no need to worry about spending money on it when you’re not using it!

 

Don’t settle for something that doesn’t quite fit your needs. Keep your options completely open and bring together everything your business relies on into one.

 

 

 

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