subject: Enjoy Great Flexibility With Managed Hosting Services [print this page] It is very easy to confuse managed hosting with dedicated hosting, since you have a server that is dedicated to meet your needs. However, there are some other differences.
Companies that have a strong presence on the web and whose website is an extensive one with a lot of interactive elements that require large bandwidth feel the need to go for a dedicated hosting service, since on a shared one they would not be able to get the full array of services uninterrupted. There is likely to be some compromise on bandwidth with other sites jostling for that limited bandwidth as well, and that is sure to impact the performance of their site. When you are running an eCommerce business, it is critical that your site performance is never compromised and that is why such companies go for dedicated hosting.
However the downside with dedicated hosting is that it is expensive and you would also be required to handle all server related administration by yourself. Now if the company has the right personnel who are trained in these matters, it is not a problem but when there are no resources for the company to fall back on, it is a challenge and that is where an alternate solution needs to be worked out. It must be understood that running a ecommerce business and server administration are two different things and require skilled personnel to handle them.
This is where the concept of managed hosting comes in handy. This is ideal for companies who require a dedicated server due to the reasons mentioned above about a strong web presence, need for bandwidth and so on, but with a difference. They do not have to take care of the administration of the server and can leave that responsibility to the web host to do so. So you get all the benefits of a dedicated hosting service like an operating system, network and routing equipment as well as complete administrative support. This is therefore a much better option and is being increasingly sought by companies who do not mind paying the extra cost.
What are the various administrative functions that web hosts normally do for their customers?
Well, regular reporting as well as monitoring of the system, along with load balancing to ensure that enough bandwidth is being made available for the site, are important tasks by themselves. Providing security, databases and storage maintenance are other tasks along with application management that are also offered as part of the administrative gamut of services.
However, it is not as if you as a company need to compulsorily avail of all these services. You have the option of discussing with the managed hosting service provider and working out what you would require from them such that site performance is at its optimum. There are various managed hosting plans offered with different costs to suit the needs of companies and you can always find something that is ideal for your company.
