Cloud Step 2: How Important is Technical Support for Cloud Success?

Many cloud-based services are known for their ease of use, but there will come a time when you will need some technical support. When you use cloud-based services, you’ll be entrusting a lot of your business data to its servers, so it’s only right for you to have a service representative to consult in the event you need one.

When selecting your cloud-based service, make sure that you will be able to receive adequate technical support from the provider. Cloud computing is different – it separates your data from your IT infrastructure, so your data is replicated ‘in the cloud’, which could be anywhere in a multitude of ‘virtual’ servers. These differences give rise to a new set of security and privacy issues that will have an effect on your risk management practices and consideration of your support you will receive is important when taking this decision.

Netcetera are committed to helping individuals and businesses get the most out of our hosting service. We know your time is better spent on developing your site, not troubleshooting it.

To support our customers’ sites, our technicians work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year to maintain the top-of-the-line servers that host our clients’ critical sites and services, and the network infrastructure that supplies their backend connectivity. We also incorporate a wide range of reliable customer support tools to engage our customers throughout the lifecycle, including Live Chat, email, FAQ’s, Social Networking sites and blogs.

To provide support when it’s needed by our clients, our Microsoft Certified support staff work around the clock. We offer the following support as standard:

  • 24/7 Ticket, EMail, Telephone and Livechat
  • Support SLA-based standard support response
  • Full Client Area Control Panel Support
  • Fully Managed Virtualisation Platform
  • Fully Managed Network Infrastructure
  • Fully Managed Hardware
  • Wholly owned Netcetera Data Centre
  • Personal Account Manager
  • Personal Billing Contact

Questions? Let us help!
To speak to one of our Sales Consultants about what our services can do for you, or for any other queries, please fill out our Enquiry Form or call 0800 061 2801

 

Cloud Step 1: Are your Applications Ready to run in the Cloud?

Cloud computing is a new way of doing business and, as with anything new, you need to be clear about what you are letting yourself in for. For some, the business benefits of the cloud are many, but for others it may be simply that it allows small businesses to stop worrying about its IT which is something that distracts from its core function of running the business.

Cloud computing is different from conventional outsourcing in that it is not stand alone computing.  Cloud computing separates your data from your IT infrastructure, so your data is replicated ‘in the cloud’, which could be anywhere in a multitude of ‘virtual’ servers. These differences are what give rise to a new set of issues that could have an effect on your risk management practices.

A good place if considering the Cloud, is to start with establishing if your applications ready to run in the Cloud.  Are the applications which you use already web-based? Will they benefit from a Cloud-based structure? Can it scale your present application up in the Cloud? Migrating your old ‘legacy applications’ to a cloud-based infrastructure may not bring the correct benefits to you. An assessment to determine an application’s readiness for the Cloud needs to be carried out. This means evaluating, via a potential supplier, the readiness of all your key applications. This will provide clear recommendations on your options.

Netcetera offers, via the Managed Windows Cloud Server, all the ease and simplicity of Shared Hosting, but with the scalability and resilience of the Cloud.  For only £40.98/pm including the Essential Management Pack, FREE Site Migration, FREE Setup and a 7 Day Money Back Guarantee, this provides you with an agile infrastructure which allows you to focus on your core business.

See the difference that the Cloud can make to your business.

Questions? Let us help!
To speak to one of our Sales Consultants about what our services can do for you, or for any other queries, please fill out our Enquiry Form or call 0800 061 2801

Netcetera Voted 4th Most Popular Dedicated Server Provider for December 2011

Netcetera are very proud to announce that for the month of December, we have been voted the 4th Most Popular Dedicated Server Provider in the UK‘s Top 25 Most Popular Dedicated Server Companies. Every month, at the Dedicated Server Directory, a list of the Top 25 Most Popular Dedicated Server Companies is complied.  This list is based on the amount of unique visitors each profile receives, and for this reason we are extremely happy with our position this month!

As the premier provider of Co-location, Dedicated Servers and Managed Services in the UK, Netcetera offers an array of services designed to more effectively manage IT infrastructures. Our state-of-the-art Data Centre environment enables us to offer your business enterprise level co-location and hosted solutions.

Providing an unmatched value for your budget is the driving force behind our customer service and managed infrastructure services. We are able to deliver solutions that meet the needs of businesses of all sizes. From Single Server Co-location to fully customized Dedicated Servers, we can provide companies with the IT solutions they need to focus on their core business instead of managing servers, networks and firewalls often at a significant cost saving. Our prices are very competitive and prices start from as little as £57.99/pm including FREE setup.

If you would like to contact us or find out more about our innovative products, please contact the Netcetera Sales Team, who will be pleased to assist you.

What is Managed Hosting?

This question is often asked by both newcomers and seasoned professionals, alike .  The ambiguity lies more in the hosting providers ability to deliver additional managed services, than with its unclear definition.

Simply put, Managed Hosting is a form of Dedicated Hosting, where a hosting company undertakes the upkeep and management of a server (normally a dedicated server), its operating system and a number of critical applications which allow it to serve webpages or function within its core role, typically a web server hosting a website. The servers and devices are owned by the Internet Service Provider (ISP) or hosting provider and leased by a single client only. Unlike standard Dedicated Hosting, the ISP manages the day-to-day management of hardware, operating systems and standardized applications

Typically built into Managed Hosting are technical services such as hardware and software setup and configuration, maintenance, hardware replacement, technical support, patching, updating and monitoring. Also available, usually at additional cost, are advanced services like vulnerability scans, DDoS attack mitigation, data backups, load balancing, firewalls, intrusion detection and more

Ideally when selecting your Managed Hosting provider, you should be sure that they are someone you can trust and have a good relationship with.  Three of the most important benchmarks to consider for managed hosting companies are:

Reliability

Most companies now have this under control, but it’s always important to check up.  Reliability usually applies to their network and connectivity.  At Netcetera, we guarantee that our network will be available 99.9% of the time. Many companies offer this but not many have gone to the extent of having a fully Gigabit switched network, Multiple separate backbone providers, redundant routers and fibre coming in at multiple points to the building.

Support

The responsiveness of the support team as well as their technical ability are also critical factors.  Netcetera’s award winning Support Team are available 24/7 and are committed to helping individuals and businesses get the most out of our hosting service.

Hardware

Hardware is also an important factor in performance and Netcetera’s range of virtual and dedicated servers offers reliability, power and independent management, from an easy to manage control panel. Various packages are available to suit all businesses.

Netcetera offers a full range of hosting options, depending on your organization’s needs. Whether you’re launching the next hit blog or creating an online shopping empire, Netcetera’s range of Managed Hosting options cater to your needs. We are perfect if you’re promoting a new business venture, launching a full e-commerce shop, blog or small business portal. Our UK based hosting packages can help create a professional backbone for your online business.

To find out more about Netcetera’s innovative products, contact our friendly Sales Team.

Netcetera Voted Top 25 Most Popular Web Host for December 2011

Netcetera are proud to announce that for the 13th consecutive month, we have been voted by the Web Host Directory in the UK as one of the Top 25 Most Popular Web Hosts, for the month of December. This month, Netcetera are proudly placed at #11.

Netcetera was formed in 1996 and today is one of Europe’s leading Web Hosting service providers, offering a full range of products. Whatever your Web Hosting requirements, Netcetera’s range of  Managed Hosting options cater to your needs. Our UK based hosting  packages can help create a professional backbone for your online business. Hosting packages start from as little as £2.99/pm and include FREE Migration from your current host and one month FREE Trial. As always everything comes with our excellent customer service 24/7!

Please remember to vote for us by visiting the Web Host Directory UK Awards. We would especially like to thank everyone who has voted for Netcetera this month.

For more information about our innovative products, please contact the Netcetera Sales Team, who will be very happy to assist you.

10 Steps to Success with Cloud Computing

If you feeling submerged by all the information which has been written about cloud computing, you are not alone. Not only is cloud computing a new concept, but also the information about it is often confusing and is weighed down with new words and ideas like virtualization, multi-tenancy, scalability etc.

Since cloud computing is a new way of doing business you have to be clear about what your requirements are. For some, the business benefits of cloud are many – for others it will be the simple fact that cloud allows a small business to stop worrying about its IT which is something that distracts from its core function of running the business.

Security and reliability of cloud services are often raised as concerns. By understanding the basics of cloud computing and knowing how to assess important factors such as security and the identification of systems that are suitable for migration, it becomes much easier to design and implement a cloud strategy.

To help with this process we will be publishing 10 easy steps over the following weeks, which will help you to understand the essential facts about the cloud and will outline the important points to consider when making your decision and to facilitate successful cloud migration.

As a taster, we will be covering the following topics:

  • Step 1 – Are your applications ready to run in the Cloud?
  • Step 2 – How important is Technical Support for Cloud success?
  • Step 3 – Do you have Ownership and Access to your data in the Cloud?
  • Step 4 – Understanding what fluctuating data volumes means to you.
  • Step 5 – Is any part of the Cloud infrastructure outsourced or subcontracted?
  • Step 6 – Helping you to understand your Compliance queries in the Cloud.
  • Step 7 – Why is Cost analysis of the Cloud so important?
  • Step 8 – Have you prepared a Migration Strategy?
  • Step 9 – The importance of Considering Downtime and How to Deal with it.
  • Step 10 – The importance of Data Migration.

Questions? Let us help!
To speak to one of our Sales Consultants about what our services can do for you, or for any other queries, please fill out our Enquiry Form or call 0800 061 2801

Netcetera ranked as the Most Reliable Windows Hosting Company Worldwide for December 2011

We are very proud to announce that Netcetera is ranked as the Most Reliable Windows Hosting Company worldwide for the month of December 2011, by Netcraft.

This is a fantastic achievement for Netcetera as the ranking is measured against the world’s top Hosting companies!

From a customer’s perspective, the percentage of failed requests is very important and for this reason to give a clear indication of reliability of routing, the ranking is measured by a table of fewest failed requests, rather than periods of outage.

Netcraft measures and makes available the response times of approximately forty leading Hosting providers sites. The performance measurements are calculated at fifteen minute intervals from different points around the internet, and averages are calculated over the immediately preceding 24 hour period.

Netcetera was formed in 1996 and today is one of Europe’s leading Web Hosting service providers, offering a full range of products, from a basic hosting service catering to individuals who need to host a single website, to large companies who require more complicated setups using, for example, our latest Managed Windows Cloud Server, a Virtual Machine or a Dedicated Server. Whatever your Hosting requirements, our range of Managed hosting options will provide you with a solution, and our UK based Hosting packages can help create a professional backbone for your online business.

If you would like to contact us or find out more information about our innovative products, please contact the Netcetera Sales Team

Netcetera Launches Secure Webmail

Netcetera are proud to announce that we have enabled SSL on our Webmail.  This is an important improvement since it ensures secure transactions between web servers and browsers.

Please follow this link to access the secure webmail at https://mail.netcetera.co.uk

So what is is SSL and why do I need it?

SSL is an acronym for Secure Sockets Layer, an encryption technology that was created by Netscape. SSL creates an encrypted connection between your web server and your visitors’ web browser allowing for private information to be transmitted without the problems of eavesdropping, data tampering, or message forgery.

Contact the Netcetera SalesTeam today to find out how we can help you, if you are looking at adding SSL to your own site.

Netcetera attending ICE 2012

Netcetera, one of Europe’s leading managed hosting and Datacentre providers, are delighted to announce that once again, we will be attending the Earls Court International Casino Exhibition for e-gaming, from 24th to 26th January 2012, where we will be part of the Isle of Man delegation on stand No. 5530.

“The Isle of Man actively encourages e-gaming and offers a world-class telecommunications infrastructure, low-tax incentives as well as a superb business environment.” said Tim Cass of Netcetera. “This will be our fourth year at ICE, and as it’s the largest event on the e-gaming calendar, it will be an excellent networking opportunity.”

Netcetera’s Isle of Man Datacentre, The Dataport, offers the e-gaming industry the most-advanced and cost-effective facilities for housing IT infrastructure available anywhere offshore including the following products and services:

Over 16,000 sq foot of Datacentre Space available offering server co-location from single shelf to custom suites, purpose designed expandable space tailored to individuals needs

  • Fully resilient N+1 services including power, air-conditioning and network
  • Experienced support, 24/7
  • Low-latency communications circuits – only 10ms from peers at the major European exchange point and Tier 1 transit providers
  • DDOS mitigation
  • Cloud Hosting
  • Complimentary range of Managed Services

In addition Netcetera offers:

  • Experience in e-Gaming industry hosting services
  • Consultancy in design and implementation of secure infrastructures
  • Dedicated account managers & e-Gaming-savvy executives
  • ISO9001 and ISO27001 accreditation
  • Isle of Man Government Approved Disaster Recovery Provider

If you would like complementary passes to the show or would like to arrange a meeting in advance, please contact us. The passes to attend the event give exhibitors and visitors the opportunity to attend conference sessions, seminars, workshops, networking and hospitality events during the two days.

We look forward to seeing you there!

 

Netcetera Launches Loyalty Rewards Program

Netcetera are excited to announce the launch of our New Loyalty Rewards Program which provides you the opportunity to earn Cash Back when simply making new purchases with us!

Because a simple “Thank You!” is so often lost in business today, we at Netcetera feel it is a very important part of business and want to recognise our most loyal customers, by giving something back.

We strive to provide our customers with amazing experiences and we are also committed to thanking and rewarding our most loyal customers.

Receive 1 point for every pound spent (new purchases only are rewarded) at Netcetera. Reward Points can be exchanged for credit in your account after you have more than 100 free points.
100 points will give you £5 cash back!

How do I get started?
Simply login to your client area at https://my.netcetera.co.uk and click the Reward Points tab.

FAQs

Q. How do I accumulate Reward points?
A. By simply purchasing any product at Netcetera. Only new purchases are rewarded.

Q. How many Reward Points do I earn with each purchase?
A. You will receive 1 Reward Point for every pound you spend at Netcetera.

Q. What can I buy with my Reward Points earned?
A. You can use them as a credit to purchase any Netcetera product.

Q. Is there a minimum amount of Reward Points I need to accumulate before using them?
A. Yes, you need to earn at least 100 Reward Points.

Q. How much cash I will get back with 100 Reward Points?
A. You will get £5 cash back to your account.

Q. Do the Reward Points expire?
A. Yes positive Reward Points expire after  365 days.

Q. How do I check the balance of my Reward Points?
A. Simply by logging into your client area.

Q. What does Locked Points and Free Points mean?
A. Points are locked if the account is unpaid.

Netcetera offers a full range of products, from a basic hosting service catering to individuals who need to host a single website, to large companies who require more complicated setups using, for example, our latest Managed Windows Cloud Server, a Virtual Machine or a Dedicated Server. Whatever your hosting requirements, our range of managed hosting options will provide you with a solution, and our UK based hosting packages can help create a professional backbone for your online business.

To find out more about Netcetera and our products, please contact the Sales Team