Windows Server 2016 is the next greatest thing to hit the market for business. It replaces the 2012 version and contains a number of essential updates and tweaks to get your business focused on its work rather than data fidelity. Server capability is a must-have for a well-running business. Your employees need to be able to interact both personally and digitally to work effectively and efficiently.
Why Use a Server Anyway?
Fundamentally, a server is a central computer that is always on. They contain specialized internal components that allow for some cool data tricks to protect your information. These devices often do not include graphics or monitor components like traditional computers – instead they replace these capabilities with increased storage and computing power. They also use processes like RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) to prevent data loss by storing it across multiple locations.
Servers provide consistent data access to authorized employees so that they may interact in collaborative projects or download specific company files that they need for their own tasks. These can be as small as one unit or fill an entire data center, complete with a dedicated IT team to administer the hardware and its processes.
What a server is not, however, is a household computer. Servers are hardened machines designed to run constantly. Sure, a PC could serve in this function in a pinch, but your precious data is put in unnecessary peril when the computer inevitably crashes. Likewise, PC server rigs are not suited to scalability like server devices are, so when your business begins to expand you will be forced to make a substitution in order to keep up.
How to Add Server Computing to Your Business
Server additions can be a lengthy process. Building the infrastructure and finding the right license can be time-consuming and frustrating. Your primary task is to determine how much computing power you really need for your business. If you take care of this one consideration first, you can save yourself a headache later.
First, survey your business needs. Are you running a small operation with a handful of employees who need simple data access, or are you at the helm of a large firm that handles sensitive personal and confidential information everyday? Taking the time to evaluate your needs will help steer you toward both the size of your server needs and the type of hardware best suited for your business.
In a large outfit, Privileged Access Management may be a fundamental requirement. Maintaining a classification system that ensures only high level employees have access to some information might be vital to your success, in which case the 2016 iteration should be a go-to because this is a key feature of the update. Alternatively, you may be new to this whole idea and want to retain some of the familiarity of a PC. In this case, you should opt for a computing device that provides access to a monitor display.
One essential consideration however is the computing power you will require. The Windows Server 2016 license cost model has shifted slightly: it now relies on a per-core licensing scheme. While the pricing has not changed, the hardware activation process has. All that this means is that core count matters more than before. This can be a benefit to you, though. Through careful consideration, you may decide you need slightly less computing power than initially thought – meaning a lower strike against your bottom line.
Server computing is essential to today’s business endeavors. Make sure you do your homework and chose the right configuration to fit within your budget and boost productivity within your workforce by broadening staff access and engagement.
