Finding the right server solution is key to building a solid foundation for a small business. But while you need adequate hardware to support your operations, you also don't want to be overpaying for unused resources. So then, how can you strike the perfect balance?
As their remote workforces grow, businesses have no option but to scale their IT infrastructure to meet evolving needs — this is a lesson they learnt the hard way in 2020. Failing to do that means incurring losses or becoming obsolete in today's dynamic and ever-changing business landscape. Now, for any up-and-coming business, that's a fate to be avoided at all costs.
So, to work around it, SMBs (small businesses) need to find capable server solutions that guarantee high performance, security, storage, and ease of management — all at a price within their tight budgets. But we all know how difficult a task that can be, given the limited options available.
Perhaps that's the reason why most businesses end up taking another route — increasing the size of their IT teams while continuing with existing servers. However, there is good reason to be cautious about this approach since it could leave them worse off than they started.
All good things come to an end
Businesses are often reluctant to take stock of the fact that servers — however reliable they may be — don't keep going forever. On average, server performance erodes by 14% annually. And for SMBs, setting their sights on scaling up, such a drastic drop in performance could spell disaster.
That's not all. As servers get older, maintaining them gets costlier. For instance, their failure to handle increasing workloads could lead to a spike in unplanned downtime by up to 20%. For businesses just starting to find a foothold in the market, this is exactly the kind of roadblock that stunts progress.
Considering these factors, it becomes obvious that maintaining older servers might prove more expensive for SMBs than opting for newer infrastructure. And now, with different environments, such as physical, virtual, and containers coming into the picture, it's all the more important for businesses to have efficient, high-performing servers.
The challenge for SMBs at present is finding the right server solution that caters to their needs without having to break the bank. With leading tech companies stepping up to offer solutions purpose-built to address the needs of SMBs, there is a reason to be hopeful.
The ideal fit
Perhaps the most promising server solutions for SMBs, from among the ones that have emerged recently, are the HPE ProLiant Gen10 Plus servers. Created jointly by HPE and Intel, these servers are built to specifically address the challenges that smaller businesses face today. Among them, the HPE ProLiant DL360 server, in particular, can be an ideal fit. Let's explore why.
We know that it is crucial for SMBs to have a solution that is adaptable for different workloads and environments. More flexibility across physical, virtual, and containerized environments translates to improved application and overall workload performance. The HPE ProLiant DL360 server helps smaller businesses achieve just that, while striking the right balance between expandability and density. Add to that the fact the server is also easy to deploy, monitor, and maintain, and the prospects are already looking great!
A key highlight of the HPEProLiant DL360 Gen10 Plus is its network performance. The server features 64 PCIe Gen4 lanes to deliver improved bandwidth for adding more devices and balancing your I/O capabilities better.
Storage is another area where the server stands out. Its Tri-mode controllers support NVMe/SAS/SATA and offers enhanced storage capabilities. This enables customers to choose the ideal media type and mix for their applications. To top things off, the server also allows customers to design the storage just how they need it by offering a choice of backplanes and cages with diverse bay counts, protocols, and bandwidth.
Industry-leading performance
Ultimately, what makes the ProLiant server range a true game-changer is the enhanced compute performance they deliver. By powering the entire range with 3rd Gen Intel Xeon scalable processors, HPE has undoubtedly set the benchmark for businesses on the lookout for an upgrade. The ProLiant range's enhanced processing power will surely help SMBs looking to modernize their infrastructures or simplify their hybrid cloud environments achieve faster and better outcomes.
But are we getting ahead of ourselves? Would all these features come at an affordable cost? That's where HPE's as-a-Service approach can make all the difference. By leveraging its on-premises pay-per-use consumption feature, companies can take back financial control, save on procurement costs, and alleviate the stress of stocking up.
All things considered, it seems like HPE has truly hit the mark with the ProLiant server series. Their nuanced understanding of the needs of the target market and a thoughtful collaboration with Intel have helped them deliver a solution that will undoubtedly propel small businesses forward on their modernization journey.