The Best Cloud-Hosting Platforms for Small Business
June 6, 2014
Grazed from PCMag. Author: Samara Lynn.
Perhaps your small business network is ready for an upgrade. A few years ago, having five computers in the office set up to share files might have been sufficient, but your data needs may since have grown to the point where you need a full-fledged file server. Or maybe you want a server and website for your killer new custom app. Instead of going out and buying new hardware—not to mention hiring new IT staff to support your growing network—consider a hosted platform service.
Hosted platforms are a subset of cloud computing that let you virtually set up technologies such as servers, Web apps, databases, storage, virtual networks, and more. The beauty of these hosted platforms is that IT and businesses can deploy these technologies without purchasing hardware or managing them locally, which often requires hiring additional IT staff. Instead, the hosting company, also known as the hosting provider, is responsible for maintaining the hardware and data center at which your in-the-cloud tech resides…
While enterprises, many of which offer software products to thousands of customers, are the largest users of hosted platform services, smaller businesses can also greatly benefit from cloud platforms. If you run a small start-up developing an app, for example, you can sign up with a hosted platform provider, and pick and choose the server, storage, and other tech components you need to run your app—all without ever shopping for a single piece of hardware…
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