The basic idea behind IaaS is to permit organizations to run IT operations without the capital expense associated with data centers and infrastructure. Instead, the organization relies on a service provider to fulfill its processing, storage, server, and networking needs.

The provider owns the equipment and is responsible for maintaining it. Clients typically pay for the service on a per-user basis and have control over such things as operating systems, desktops and applications through a web-based management tool. They are also able to self-provision resources – scaling them up or down – in response to seasonal demand or sudden growth.

For organizations that already have their own IT infrastructure, IaaS can be used on a standby basis during peak demand for on-premise systems, to test new business applications, or to handle online conferences. This allows such organizations to avoid the cost of additional servers that may be needed just for brief periods.

Since the IaaS model entails reliance on a specific service provider, it pays to do some basic due diligence before signing up…

• You will especially want to find out how they handle all aspects of security, and how proactive they are in identifying and mitigating potential performance problems.
• The provider should also have a proven track record in IaaS delivery and adherence to industry best practices.
• Reliability should be demonstrated with performance indicators, case studies, and customer testimonials.

Learn more about IaaS and how it can transform your IT. Contact DataLink’s IaaS experts today at 410.729.0440 or sales@DataLinkTech.com.