technology: managing data 23 Which datacentre is best?


When it comes to data within any business, the volume is only going to grow, which means data management and where data is hosted are inextricably linked.


Anthony Green, sales and marketing director at IT specialist Blue Chip, said: “With the advent of cloud technology, we have seen a sharp decline in the number of customers using traditional on- premise backup and storage tapes, although some customers opt for a hybrid solution of on-premise and cloud, depending on requirements.


“This decline is attributed to the fact that properly- designed and managed datacentres offer a far more robust, dynamic, future-proof and secure environment than the vast majority of on-premise solutions.


“Companies are rejecting old style tape technology and the maintenance and upgrade costs associated with on-premise hardware, in favour of the right datacentre partner with the right cloud- based solutions.“


So how does it work? First there’s the datacentre itself says Green. When it comes to securely hosting customers’ data, Blue Chip has built a securely-housed cloud platform connected by a private network, with uninterruptable power


supplies (UPS) through backup diesel generators and finger print access. Alongside 24/7 CCTV, this provides a guaranteed, secure, robust service with connection to multiple datacentres giving improved disaster recovery.


“With this in place, we are able to deliver cloud services to enhance data management,“ he said. “For example, we have seen unprecedented uptake of our cloud backup solution SecureVault. It provides online backup to customers by compressing and encrypting data before hosting it securely within the datacentre.


“Apart from ease of use, its success is down to customers only paying for the space they use, making it both affordable and scalable. Add disaster recovery as a free extension, rather than an additional expense and customers benefit from a cost-effective, end-to-end service.“


Green concluded: “Choosing a datacentre partner to securely host an organisation’s data is a big step for any company. I would advise anyone looking to do so to remember that data volume is only ever going to increase; to look at the infrastructure of the datacentre itself; how flexible and scalable the offering is; research the full extent of what a datacentre partner can provide for the business as a whole and consider the long-term relationship.“


Southampton service provider ranks No1 in UK, Europe and EMEA


Southampton-based IT managed service provider Amicus ITS has been ranked No 1 in the UK, Europe and EMEA, and 13th in the world, at the seventh annual MSPmentor 501 Global Edition Awards.


The results rank managed service providers (MSPs) based on a number of factors including annual recurring revenues, percentage growth and devices managed, to identify the world’s top 501 MSPs.


Amicus ITS received the award for its 24x365 UK service desk, remote network monitoring, top-level security and data governance services. The company manages the IT infrastructure for corporate and healthcare clients across the UK, including Volvo, AXA, Estee Lauder and the NHS.


Managing director Steve Jackson (pictured) said: “This award represents a huge honour, and to know we have won it from among such a prestigious world peer group is an incredible achievement.


“The technology industry has moved at such a fast pace over the past 30 years that we are seeing and responding to massive shifts in client IT support needs, as consumer spend focuses increasingly on smaller and more flexible devices, all backed up by the cloud environment. The technical challenges of an increasingly-mobile workforce has prompted the need for security to stay at the forefront whether for mobile phones, tablets, iPads or laptops.


“The comfort for our clients has been the knowledge that the core of our delivery ensures


THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – SOLENT & SOUTH CENTRAL – APRIL 2014


Taylor Made among the world’s top MSPs


Taylor Made Computer Solutions has been named among the best in the world in a leading industry survey.


Annual rankings released by industry experts MSPMentor place Taylor Made, at seventh in the UK, 10th in Europe, and 49th in the world, on its list of top managed service providers (MSPs).


It is the third year running that Taylor Made has been named in the survey and an improvement from last year’s rankings, in which it was placed 54th in the world.


Being named in the world’s top 50 is a particularly impressive achievement because Taylor Made is placed alongside companies many times its size and turnover.


The MSP survey focuses on firms which provide managed IT services to businesses. It uses a complex analysis of hundreds of companies, including revenue per employee, growth and the number of devices managed, to determine an authoritative list of the top 100.


Managing director Tim Walker said: “Managed services is a highly- competitive and fast-moving sector. To be ranked in the top 50 in the world is an incredible achievement and reflects how hard we have been working to remain leaders in our field and to provide the very best service to our clients.


“We pride ourselves on the quality of our staff and our client retention rates which are among the best in the business. I am very, very proud of what we have achieved. This is an exciting period of ambitious growth for Taylor Made’s managed services and as we progress, our focus will remain on providing unrivalled customer service.“


Taylor Made, and its fleet of branded vehicles on the region’s roads, employs around 100 staff who manage more than 8,000 devices for in excess of 250 companies across the south and in the London area.


complete management of their devices and services to protect and maximise their availability, wherever their operations are in the world.


“This award marks a great step forward in our company’s history and we fully intend to stay at the forefront of MSP delivery.“


Since 1994 Taylor Made has delivered professional IT solutions for businesses, education, local authorities and charities.


See page 21 www.businessmag.co.uk


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36