Keep Your Team Productive with a Virtual Machine

As your company grows, so does your team. With each new hire, the costs of equipment and IT management increase. Fortunately, many companies have found the best way to reduce costs without halting growth: virtual machines. A virtual machine creates a singular point for all employees to access programs, files, and tools. 

There are many benefits to using virtual machines with your business, including resource optimization, enhanced flexibility, and improved security. There are several other benefits to using a virtual machine, but we wanted to focus on these three. 

RESOURCE OPTIMIZATION AND COST SAVINGS 

Virtual machines offer a singular server for multiple employees to access their work. A virtual machine supports multiple operating systems and applications simultaneously. 

All files, systems, and programs are stored on a central server, so in addition to saving on hardware costs, your company saves time by keeping all important information in a centralized location. 

Finally, companies save on hardware, maintenance, and energy spending by using fewer machines. Most small to mid-sized businesses can store all their data on a single server and access key programs and files from low-cost personal computers. 

ENHANCED FLEXIBILITY AND SCALABILITY 

Businesses change over time. Some grow, and others shrink. With a server acting as the virtual machine, companies can alter the components on a single system, rather than replacing or updating every employee’s computer. 

If your company experiences fast growth, you can simply add another server to your system. As your needs change, you can alter your technological needs from a single location. Using a server to manage your virtual machines makes growth easier to handle. 

IMPROVED ISOLATION AND SECURITY 

One of the best features of using virtual machines is the added layer of security. Some might see all files and information stored on one or more servers as a point of weakness, but in a virtual machine, the employee’s computer is operating within a virtual environment, often copying the files being used, rather than working with the original. 

When the employee finishes work, only the impacted files get uploaded to the server. Malware and viruses have a harder time getting into your system, especially if properly set up. Updated and new files will get uploaded to the server, but new programs and system changes can be rejected, killing malicious programs before they get a chance to infect your server. 

SETTING UP A VIRTUAL MACHINE INFRASTRUCTURE FOR YOUR COMPANY 

This list is not exhaustive, but when setting up a virtual machine environment for your company, you will need the following components and systems. 

1. STORAGE: As your employees work with files, you will need a place to store their updates. Most servers allow for a dozen or so hard drives directly on the system, but you can also boost your storage capacities with a storage solution like the DDN StorageScaler 8460, packed with 84 4TB SAS drives. 

1. NETWORKING INFRASTRUCTURE: Virtual machines must be able to communicate with your primary server, so it is important to make sure you have a solid network solution. This may be as simple as installing a network switch (like the Avocent Cyclades AlterPath ACS32), though you may need more equipment if you have a more complicated work environment. 

1. BACKUP AND RECOVERY INFRASTRUCTURE: Perhaps the most costly part of setting up virtual machines is ensuring the integrity of your data. Some companies manage data recovery with a RAID card, which often protects from power outages. Other companies might buy a separate server just to create backups from the main server. 

1. MANAGEMENT AND MONITORING TOOLS: Sometimes, things break or don’t work as expected, so you want to make sure server management is as cost-effective as possible. Often, this means setting up a management console for a tech or engineer to work with your server without taking it offline. 

1. PHYSICAL SERVER: The most important part of any virtual environment is the main server, and if you’re in the market for one, you’ve come to the right site! Servers range in price and capabilities, so we recommend working with your technical team to determine your needs. We have several new and used servers available, and we are willing to give you a price quote for a customized build. 

A virtual environment takes time and effort to get fully built and running, but once finished, it offers a low-cost, scalable solution for your IT needs. Keep your whole team connected and running without spending thousands of dollars on each laptop or desktop.