Should Startups Invest in their Own Server Technology?

Startups across industries are usually hard-pressed for time and financial resources, and it is the judicious use of both that determines their success. Keeping in tune with the contemporary business environment, it is important for startups to have the necessary IT infrastructure in place to battle stiff competition and stay in the game, despite the relatively high initial costs involved in setting up such systems.

Going digital has become the norm of today. Personal computers and mobile digital devices are invariably a part of today’s startup infrastructure, but each device in reality is a standalone data store, holding probably a different set of details. As startups begin to grow, the volume of data on these standalone units also grow, making it really difficult to store, locate, correlate or summarise the details across these devices. Here arises the need for a server – a centralised, scalable, secure data store that helps businesses go about their jobs in an organised and productive manner.

Investing in server technology is an ideal way to handle growth in a smooth and efficient manner, cutting down on repetitive tasks performed by each computing device in the system.

Why Invest in Servers?

Accessibility – Data stored in servers is accessible by all authorised employees, irrespective of their location; making it convenient to view, share, or update live data round-the-clock. Access to the latest data helps speed up business decisions and is valuable to executives on the move.

Security – Access to the data and software on the server is restricted based on user-level permissions, cutting down on the possibility of hacks, malware as well as data loss.

Scalability – Starting with a small server, businesses can easily scale up to utilise its full capacity, with absolutely no compromise on the performance of the server. The server will continue to work at the same speed, irrespective of the volume of data or the number of users. Startups can opt for additional servers or even move to the ‘cloud’, as and when the server runs out of space.

Control — In-house servers are in total control of the technical staff of the firm, in terms of addressing breakdowns, software installations, maintenance and performance tuning, user permissions, etc. This helps minimise the downtime in dealing with such issues, and improve work force productivity.

Backup and Data Recovery – The ability to get back on track after a breakdown is crucial for business continuity. Startups can device an appropriate backup and recovery plan to handle unexpected disasters.

The Cost Factor

Startups may feel the pinch of initial server costs that are in fact offset by the many advantages in the long run. Quite a lot of time and effort that are usually spent on storing, maintaining and searching for and compiling disorganised business information, is eventually saved.

Instant, secure access to business data helps improve productivity, quality of service and speeds decision-making, working in favour of the startups.