Month: February 2022

What’s the Difference Between Cloud Computing and Colocation?

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many IT teams are employing colocation and cloud computing to augment their existing infrast

As companies race to keep up with a rapidly evolving digital landscape, many IT teams are employing colocation and cloud computing to augment their existing infrastructure and support growth. While both services can improve business efforts, each model has distinct features and benefits. To provide greater insight into colocation vs. cloud computing, review each service with this outline from VPLS.

What is Cloud Computing?

When companies transition to the cloud, they choose to conduct operations from virtual servers. Typically, businesses need to partner with a provider to utilize the cloud. Providers manage these servers, and users access their data through the Internet.

Pros of Using the Cloud

Organizations that experience regular fluctuations find cloud computing incredibly flexible. When they need more space to house incoming data or design a new application, they can purchase additional services from the provider as soon as they need them. This system makes the cloud best for remote work situations as it prevents IT teams from needing to repurpose servers onsite.

The cloud is also cost-effective compared to traditional IT infrastructure, as many providers charge customers only for the specific cloud services they use.

Cons of Using the Cloud

Despite its affordability and accessibility, cloud computing is not without its challenges. For one, businesses that use the cloud relinquish a significant amount of control over their IT infrastructure. Since the provider owns the servers, the company has less supervision over customer information. Additionally, businesses that use the cloud exclusively can spend up to 10 times more on computing costs than those employing colocation.

Cloud computing also poses more security risks than in-house infrastructure, making it imperative to select a provider with extensive security precautions. If one business experiences a breach, it can affect all other companies operating on the cloud. Companies can encounter security issues if they exhaust their cloud resources, causing their data to sprawl. High volumes of information can lead to increased costs and compliance concerns.

What is Colocation?

Colocation is when a business rents out physical space from a data center to store its IT equipment. These facilities have the cooling, energy, and security necessary for servers to function correctly. The service is ideal for companies that wish to implement a hybrid IT infrastructure and scale up their operations.

Pros of Using Colocation

Since colocation data centers provide the proper conditions for servers to operate, businesses can store more information without spending excessive money building an on-premise storage space. Colocation does not come with managed service expenses, further reducing cost. A company may also find colocation beneficial when backing up data as a disaster recovery measure.

Unlike cloud computing, colocation gives organizations better control over their information. Quality facilities permit customers to supervise their data 24/7 and offer remote hand services that improve visibility. The enhanced security capabilities of colocation make it ideal for companies to comply with strict regulations, protect their business assets, and safeguard client information.

Taking a Hybrid Approach

Some organizations find that choosing either cloud computing or colocation is the best option, but many find a hybrid infrastructure to be the most effective solution. Hybrid models uplift the benefits of both services while mitigating their weaknesses. Colocation can augment cybersecurity for remote employees, and the cloud gives increased flexibility when accessing data. As companies develop strategies to strengthen their IT infrastructure, they can employ a combination of cloud computing and colocation to manage corporate information.

If you wish to utilize colocation and cloud computing at your business, turn to VPLS for cutting-edge solutions. Our private VPLS Cloud gives customers multiple hosting, power, storage, and networking options, while our CloudHop™ on-ramp services allow companies to make direct, low-latency connections to the public cloud. We offer virtual desktop infrastructure that enables employees to seamlessly move between operating environments as well as backup and recovery solutions to help companies quickly recoup from incidents.

We also provide several colocation services to companies across various industries. Customers can select cabinets to meet their storage needs and receive assistance in managing their servers from our experienced team of colocation specialists. Businesses can also attain cross-connections to their servers through our innovative CloudHop™ and IP Transit services.

Improve Your IT Infrastructure with VPLS Today

In business for more than 20 years, VPLS has the tools and experience to help you address several IT challenges, no matter how simple or complex. As a global provider, we have 14 data centers and serve over 7,000 customers worldwide.

Contact us today to access our services or learn more about colocation vs. cloud computing.

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VPLS Recognized on CRN’s 2022 MSP 500 List for Seventh Consecutive Year

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VPLS Recognized on CRN’s 2022 MSP 500 List for Seventh Consecutive Year

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We are excited to announce today that CRN®, a brand of The Channel Company, has named VPLS to its Managed Service Provider (MSP) 500 list in the Elite 150 category for 2022. CRN’s annual MSP 500 list identifies the leading service providers in North America whose forward-thinking approaches to managed services are changing the landscape of the IT channel, helping end users increase efficiency and simplify IT solutions, while maximizing their return on investment.

With many customers still recovering from the impact of the ongoing pandemic, MSPs have become a vital part of the success of businesses worldwide. MSPs not only empower organizations to leverage intricate technologies but also help them keep a strict focus on their core business goals without straining their budgets.

The annual MSP 500 list is divided into three sections: the MSP Pioneer 250, recognizing companies with business models weighted toward managed services and largely focused on the SMB market; the MSP Elite 150, recognizing large, data center-focused MSPs with a strong mix of on- and off-premises services; and the Managed Security 100, recognizing MSPs focused primarily on off-premises and cloud-based security services.

VPLS has continued expanding its Managed Services offerings to better serve their growing customer base over the last year. VPLS aims to educate their clients on their various IT needs so they can make educated decisions when selecting their services and applications. Their white-glove customer service model recognizes the unique challenges of each organization and brings enterprise-grade support to businesses of all sizes.

“In addition to having to adjust their own business operations to account for the changed conditions during the pandemic, MSPs have also seen increased demand for their managed communications, collaboration and security services,” said Blaine Raddon, CEO of The Channel Company. “The solution providers on our 2022 MSP 500 list deserve credit for their innovative and game-changing approaches to managed services in these unpredictable times, as well as their ability to optimize operational efficiencies and systems without straining IT budgets.”

“We are thrilled to be named among CRN’s MSP 500 list this year. VPLS aims to deliver the highest level of customer service and we are pleased that our team continues to be recognized for our dedication and integrity of service. Our customers’ needs are constantly evolving. We are honored to be a trusted partner for our clients."

John Minnix, President, VPLS

The MSP 500 list will be featured in the February 2022 issue of CRN and online at www.crn.com/msp500.

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As a worldwide leader in internet infrastructure and computing, VPLS partners with businesses to solve their most complex technology challenges. Have a question about the article? Contact our team at [email protected].
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Have Microsoft Licenses? Here’s Everything You Need to Know About Microsoft New Commerce Experience (NCE)

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Have Microsoft Licenses? Here’s Everything You Need to Know About Microsoft New Commerce Experience (NCE)

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If you haven’t heard, changes are coming to Microsoft’s New Commerce Experience (NCE) on March 1st, 2022.

To keep up with the demand for cloud-based solutions and services, Microsoft introduced the “seat-based” model with the New Commerce Experience. NCE is the new way for invoicing subscription-based cloud solutions to accelerate digital growth and for customers to have better-aligned pricing and tools to support their digital transformation journey.

These changes can be confusing for your business to navigate—especially the pricing changes around certain Office 365 and Microsoft 365 licenses. That’s why VPLS has created this quick FAQ to answer your most-asked questions about the upcoming changes.

Have other questions or want to discuss your specific license environment with our Microsoft licensing specialists? Simply contact the VPLS team.

No. If you are interested in switching your subscription to New Commerce Experience (NCE), let us know and we will handle the subscription migration for you.

You can lock in price protection before the price increase in March 2022 by purchasing an annual commitment on New Commerce Experience or renewing at the current legacy pricing.

Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365, Windows 365, and Power Platform.

While there are no price changes related to the expansion of New Commerce Experience, Microsoft has announced price increases to the following SKUs starting on March 1st, 2022:

Enterprise SKUs

Office 365 E1 is increasing to $10 per user per month (PUPM) from $8 PUPM

Office 365 E3 is increasing to $23 PUPM from $20 PUPM

Office 365 E5 is increasing to $38 PUPM from $35 PUPM

Microsoft 365 E3 is increasing to $36 PUPM from $32 PUPM

SMB SKUs

Microsoft 365 Business Basic is increasing to $6 PUPM from $5 PUPM

Microsoft 365 Business Premium is increasing to $22 PUPM from $20 PUP

There are two available term options for New Commerce Experience:

Monthly Subscriptions

With the NCE you will have the ability to purchase your Microsoft 365 licenses on a monthly basis without an annual commitment. Microsoft is now offering this to provide flexibility to customers that need to make monthly changes to their Microsoft 365 or Office 365 licenses plans and seat count. Licenses may be added or decreased at the end of each month’s term. This subscription does come at a 20% price premium increase.

Annual Subscriptions

With an annual subscription, you are committing to a 12-month term in which you can increase your licenses at any time but can only decrease licenses at the end of the term. This option comes with a 20% discount for the entire 12-month term with monthly and annual billing options.

Multi-year Subscriptions

Multi-year subscriptions will be available at a future date.

 

Yes, all monthly commitments incur a 20% price premium.

Yes, you can pay monthly for an annual contract.

You will have 72 hours from the time of purchase to decrease seat counts for a subscription term. Customers can increase their seat count at any point during their commitment for an existing subscription.

You can determine if you want a subscription(s) to auto-renew. A Subscription(s) that is set to auto-renew, will automatically renew at the end of the subscription(s) term. The 72-hour cancellation period will restart at the renewal term. If a customer does not set subscription(s) to auto-renew at the end of the term, they will need to renew the subscription(s) during the renewal period to avoid the subscription(s) from entering a “disabled” status.

Newly added seats will match the original renewal date of the subscription.

Yes, you can have both a monthly term and an annual term subscription for the  same seat-based offer at the same time.

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As a worldwide leader in internet infrastructure and computing, VPLS partners with businesses to solve their most complex technology challenges. Have a question about the article? Contact our team at [email protected].
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VDI vs. VPN: What’s Best for Remote Employees?

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The widespread shift to remote operations has left IT departments looking for tools that support employees at home. The two most common solutions for remote work situations include virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) and virtual private networks (VPNs), but many companies struggle to decide which is better for their workforce. To help your business determine the best option for remote work, VPLS offers a detailed overview of each of these solutions.

What is a VPN?

A VPN forms a secure data tunnel that flows from a remote location to the organization’s private network, enabling workers to access corporate data safely over a public internet connection. The tunnel conceals IP addresses and encrypts your activity, protecting sensitive business information against cybersecurity threats.

Managers can set up a VPN to ensure users only have access to the resources they need. Then, employees can house relevant data on their devices if they must work offline at any point.

What is VDI?

With VDI, employees access desktops in the cloud or on servers through a network connection. These desktops run on virtual machines stored in one server at the office or a data center. Virtual desktop interfaces allow users to connect to interact with business data, applications, and systems from any remote device and give them ample resources and workstations to perform tasks effectively.

What are the Benefits of VPNs for Remote Work?

Companies that wish to cut costs by going remote will find VPNs advantageous. Since all the work happens on laptops, VPNs do not require businesses to purchase costly servers. However, it can be expensive if you do not already have work laptops for each employee.

VPN solutions are compatible with any operating system on any device and can be set up in a matter of minutes by the remote employee. Cybersecurity is also more effective with a VPN because it encrypts data and requires users to pass authentication measures before granting access to critical information.

What are the Benefits of VDI for Remote Work?

Like VPNs, VDI solutions are exceptionally versatile, making them valuable for businesses that cannot store much hardware on-premise. Since the virtual desktop interface operates in the cloud, workers can use any device available to conduct tasks, from the most updated tablet to a five-year-old computer.

Besides saving money on equipment, businesses that implement VDI reduce costs on training. Virtualized desktops are intuitive, enabling users to only log in before accessing applications and systems. VDI also enhances remote employee cybersecurity by housing all data in the servers or cloud, creating less exposure to risk.

What are the Drawbacks of a VPN for Remote Work?

One of the most significant disadvantages of VPNs is that they are dependent on the employee’s internet speed and distance from the service provider. These factors can impede VPN performance, making it difficult to complete everyday work tasks.

VPNs can also overwhelm IT teams because all users connect to the network simultaneously during business hours. For instance, they must reconfigure applications for new software developments and new employees joining the network. This process can make the VPN tedious for IT departments.

Although a VPN enhances security in some respects, it can create new risks because all the applications live on the employee’s laptop. If their device goes missing or gets stolen, the data is lost. Additionally, businesses that permit employees to use personal computers on the VPN may expose data to cyberattacks.

What are the Drawbacks of VDI for Remote Work?

A slow internet connection can hamper VDI performance in a remote location, particularly for those who conduct frequent video meetings or utilize multiple monitors each day. If an internet outage occurs, users may be unable to utilize their work computers at all. VDI users may also encounter security issues if they neglect to equip employee devices with the proper endpoint protection

VDI vs. VPN: Which Is the Best Choice?

When it comes to these solutions, there is no broad, sweeping answer regarding the best option for remote work for every company. Instead, businesses must weigh the benefits and drawbacks of each to determine the most appropriate choice. Regardless of which service you select, ensure you partner with a provider that offers a successful implementation. If you are leaning towards VDI, consider the cutting-edge IT solutions from VPLS.

We offer on-premise and cloud-hosted VDI for companies that wish to switch between operating environments with minimal cost and effort. Cloud-hosted VDI, or Desktop-as-a-Service (Daas), is ideal for remote workforces with employees dispersed across multiple locations.

Unlike many other cloud-hosted VDI providers, we deploy DaaS in private cloud environments with the same technology for on-premise solutions. Additionally, our remote VDI service allows businesses to increase productivity without incurring excessive capital and operational costs.

Connect with VPLS for your VDI Needs

As a trusted global provider for cloud-to-edge IT services, VPLS has the technical experience and reach to help companies across many industries fulfill their cloud and network needs.

Contact us today to learn more about virtual desktop interfaces and our other offerings.

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6 Reasons Why VDI is Built for Remote Work

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6 Reasons Why VDI is Built for Remote Work

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In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, many businesses have implemented remote work situations to help keep their employees healthy and safe. As the trend continues, companies are noticing some of the downsides of this model, such as increased cybersecurity risks and operating costs.

One technology, virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI), helps minimize these concerns and enhance the remote experience. Discover six top reasons to utilize VDI for remote work.

What is VDI (virtual desktop interface)?

VDI, also known as virtual desktop interface, occurs when organizations host virtual desktops in servers or the cloud. This service enables employees with a virtual device and network connection to access desktop applications and data from any location. Unlike other types of desktop virtualization, VDI does not feature local or hosted shared virtualization. Instead, it relies exclusively on a host-based virtual machine design.

Benefits of Using VDI for Remote Employees

Under remote working conditions, it can be challenging for companies to scale up operations and grow. However, VDI can help accelerate these efforts by reducing some of the setbacks of remote work. Some of the most significant advantages of VDI include:

1. Convenience

VDI permits users to connect to their work desktop from any compatible electronic device, such as a home computer or smartphone. This system enables employees to conduct tasks from any location, eliminating time-consuming commutes to and from the office.

Installing and updating VDI is convenient because operating system implementation happens in a small amount of data centers instead of multiple office locations. Businesses also save time training staff to use VDI since the configuration and interface on hosted virtual desktops are similar to the physical PC.

2. Cost

Some businesses cannot afford to purchase laptops for remote employees, leaving them to use personal devices to perform work-related tasks. However, home computers can expose corporate data to heightened risk as they rarely have the same security features as work devices.

VDI solves this dilemma because it houses virtual desktops on remote servers, giving employees access to data and systems without needing a work computer. Hosted virtual desktops also decrease maintenance and tech support expenses by consolidating data, applications, and operating systems.

Even if an organization must buy devices so that everyone can function remotely, it can save money in the long run with VDI by using Thin or Zero Clients. These devices prevent businesses from updating individual workstations and typically last longer than conventional work environments.

3. Performance

Since data center infrastructure is more effective than laptop infrastructure, VDI drives better productivity. The service permits employees to run complex applications without a powerful computer and streamlines resource allocation.

VDI reduces time spent managing devices, enabling businesses to market products and services quickly. Additionally, hosted virtual desktops can enhance recovery efforts following disaster situations as they provide a backup for accessing work applications and data.

4. Scalability

Companies that allow employees to use personal computers for work activities often struggle to scale because home devices do not have uniform configurations. With VDI, administrators can scale up or down efficiently and decide how to distribute desktop resources. The added flexibility of VDI can also help enterprises expand refresh cycles, further encouraging business growth.

5. Security

Although employees connect to virtual desktops from multiple devices, administrators manage VDI from a single location. This design gives managers more supervision over traffic and security patches and helps them monitor compliance with company policy. Additionally, VDI allows employers to restrict information to ensure workers use only the applications they need.      

6. User Experience

The performance benefits of VDI improve the user experience for many enterprises, particularly those that run legacy applications and cannot transition to the public cloud without complications. VDI also boosts the user experience for organizations that use servers to store client calls. It brings the client closer to the database and delivers faster response times on inquiries.

How VPLS Helps

If you wish to implement VDI for remote employees at your business, consider utilizing the innovative solutions from VPLS. We offer two hosted virtual desktop solutions to help organizations shift between operating environments affordably — on-premise and cloud-hosted.

Cloud-hosted VDI, or Desktop-as-a-Service (DaaS), is ideal for companies that operate across multiple sites. Our cloud-hosted VDI provides users with better performance and scalability without driving up their capital or operational expenditures. Unlike many other service providers, we deploy DaaS in a private cloud environment with the same technology used for on-premise solutions. This system provides customers with heightened security and administrative capabilities.

Find VDI Services for Your Remote Employees

Extensive colocation and hosting facilities, superior network services, and a global team of certified technology specialists make VPLS one of the most trusted IT providers in the world. We serve over 7,000 clients spanning numerous industries worldwide, from healthcare and finance to media and the public sector. 

Contact us today to learn more about using VDI for remote work and our other services.

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As a worldwide leader in internet infrastructure and computing, VPLS partners with businesses to solve their most complex technology challenges. Have a question about the article? Contact our team at [email protected].
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