For many organisations, hosting server infrastructure on-site is an unappealing prospect. Whilst keen to leverage the benefits that modern systems can provide, they do not feel they have the capacity to look after mission-critical machines in their offices. Perhaps physical space is an issue. Or the noise and heat that these machines generate can be annoying. Sometimes people are concerned about having servers onsite without the in-house skills to look after them. Frequently organisations do not wish to incur the up-front costs of purchasing equipment, preferring instead to find a monthly ‘variable cost’ solution which can rise and fall with the size of the business.

In these circumstances, there are a variety of options that can be tailored to meet specific needs. Server co-location involves renting physical space in a managed air-conditioned room, and customers' own computers can be placed there. Managed server hosting is when a supplier also takes on the responsibility of leasing hardware to the customer, and will guarantee to keep it working. The customer then only has the responsibility of looking after the software. Fully managed services remove the entire server operation from the customer's control, and lease applications to customers, usually on a per user cost basis.

Whatever solution suits your needs, you can take advantage of modern technologies without carrying the burden of managing physical equipment in your office.