Building a Strong Foundation: Why IT Infrastructure Services Matter for Your Business
In our increasingly digital world, IT infrastructure makes for the foundation of any business and organisation. To ensure smooth functions and to stay competitive, all businesses must stay on top of their hardware and software, as well as their networks and security. It doesn’t matter if your company hosts applications or manages data, it is your IT infrastructure that will keep everything running and secure.
Keep reading to discover more about this cornerstone and how poorly designed and poorly maintained IT infrastructure can lead to costly mistakes, such as security risks, downtime in productions and general inefficiencies. Whether we like it or not, we are becoming more and more reliant on technology and, therefore, by having a robust IT infrastructure, your business will be able to adapt and scale to your changing IT demands.
Different Types of IT Infrastructure
When it comes to optimising your business’s operations, deciding on the right IT infrastructure model is key. There are four different types to choose from, each with its own benefits and challenges: On-Premise, Cloud, Hybrid, and Edge Computing. Let’s take a closer look:
On-Premise IT Infrastructure
When you own and manage your servers and hardware, this is known as having an on-premise infrastructure. The main advantage of this model is that it allows you complete control of your system, and for this reason, it is often preferred by businesses that require strict data privacy. With full control on-site, it allows you to customise your security easily; however, a consideration is that this does come with higher upfront costs, and the model will require ongoing maintenance.
Cloud IT Infrastructure
What’s known as Cloud Infrastructure works in a rental model. Similar to AWS and Azure, if you need computer power or data storage, you simply rent as much as you require. To have the benefit of easy scalability, and initially lower outgoings, this does come at the cost of control. Cloud Infrastructure involves outsourcing your IT management so you will have less control over your data and security.
Hybrid IT Infrastructure
A Hybrid infrastructure is exactly that, a bit of both. Your business keeps certain hardware and data stored on your premises but, at the same time, rents out some Cloud infrastructure too. A big benefit of this model is that it allows you flexibility and the option to choose which workloads sit on either of the two environments. It helps to improve your disaster recovery and, for some, it can optimise your costs. However, hybrid systems will be more complex to manage and, with this, there can be more security risks.
Edge Computing
Edge Computing offers a different way of processing your data so this takes place much closer to the source, such as an IoT device. While it can be harder to scale and manage these methods, it does reduce latency and offer a much quicker processing time. There can be some concerns over its data security though.
Key Components of IT Infrastructure Services
Regardless of the IT infrastructure method you choose, every infrastructure service will consist of the same four components. Each part is crucial in providing your business with a secure, efficient and reliable means of managing your data.
The four components are:
- Hardware: This is your physical element and, ultimately, the backbone of your infrastructure. This will include servers, networking devices and storage. Examples include Cisco routers and Dell servers.
- Software: Powering your hardware is your software, your operating systems, virtualisation technologies and your databases, such as Linux, MySQL and VMware.
- Networking: For the above two to communicate, you need a network to connect them, allowing your data to flow smoothly. 5G and SD-WAN are emerging technologies aiming to improve the reliability and efficiency of networks.
- Security: The part that is becoming more and more important, lastly there is a critical piece to protect your data. Infrastructure security includes encryption, firewalls and identity management protocols (multi-factor authentication) to help mitigate the risk of cyber attacks.
Service Models and Delivery: Cloud, Hybrid, and On-Premise
During your evaluation of which IT infrastructure service provider is best for your business, you’ll likely come across three different types of key delivery models: IaaS, PaaS and SaaS. Just like the types of infrastructure models, different types of providers will offer varying levels of flexibility, control and management responsibility.
Let us break it down for you:
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
IaaS is your hardware landlord. This type of service offers a rental service of virtualised computer resources, including your servers, storage and also your networking, with no need for your business to invest in any physical hardware. It’s a good option for those businesses looking for scalable resources whilst keeping control over their data, operating systems and applications.
Examples include: Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud.
Platform as a Service (PaaS)
PaaS is a good option for businesses that focus on application development. This complete platform provides everything a developer needs to build, test and launch applications, such as infrastructure, development tools as well as deployment environments. PaaS covers it all except managing any underlying hardware or software. It offers more abstraction than IaaS and includes more integrated services.
Examples include: Google App Engine, Microsoft Azure App Service, and Heroku.
Software as a Service (SaaS)
For a completely managed and cloud-based application, SaaS delivers. Accessed via the Internet, all of your business’s IT infrastructure and maintenance updates are taken care of by this type of service provider. It is a much-favoured option by businesses who want a ready-to-use application without the hassle or need to install or upkeep their software.
Examples include: Office 365, Salesforce, Dropbox, and Zoom.
Deciding the Right Model for Your Business
Choosing between these three types of providers depends completely on your business needs:
- IaaS is the most flexible. This option allows you to manage and configure your infrastructure without the need for physical hardware. You arguably get the best of both, quick scalable resources but keeping a hold of some control of your IT environment.
- PaaS is favourable if you want to prioritise efficiency and development speed. These providers give you an environment with application deployment and creation in mind, so there’s no need to worry about your infrastructure.
- SaaS is the one for businesses in need of ready-to-use solutions. There’s minimal set-up, maintenance and little management overhead too. If you’re looking for standard applications such as CRM, emails and collaboration tools, this could be your best option.
However, at the end of the day, the choice will also come down to compromise. Trade-offs between control, customisations, and ease of use. Each option has its own pros and cons, so we advise you to do your own due diligence based on your values and requirements.
Service Level Agreements (SLAs)
Do they meet your needs? How about your company’s performance and uptime?Scalability
Will they continue to support you as your business grows? Are there flexible plans and expansion options?Security
What are their security protocols? Are they compliant with data protection measures and industry standards?Cost
What’s the long-term value for your business? Have they got hidden costs later down the line?Customer Support
Are they available 24/7 to address your issues promptly?
When you choose the right provider they will become a long-term partner in your IT needs.
Emerging Trends in IT Infrastructure
As we mentioned at the start, every year brings more technological advancement, and in the next decade, there will be even more changes to IT infrastructure. The future of IT infrastructure service will be driven by the emergence of several new trends.
Currently, we are faced with the rapid surge of AI, with trends developing in automatic maintenance, autonomous networks and AI system failure predictions. With the aim of optimising resource allocation running costs. On top of this, edge computing is increasing momentum as IoT devices proliferate. Businesses operating a just-in-time system, particularly in the manufacturing industry, are looking for their IT infrastructure to adapt to benefit from the alternative real-time processing method of edge computing.
There is also the upgrade to 5G connectivity and, whilst in its early stages, quantum computing suggests another future adaptation. Whilst these are all big future developments, these are all potential considerations your IT infrastructure will have to adapt to or be upgraded for.
When it comes to choosing your IT infrastructure model and provider, how your business copes with these future technological developments will play a part in maintaining its competitive edge.
How We Can Help You
It all comes back to the same thing: your business’s IT infrastructure is critical. From allowing you to streamline your internal operations and contributing to your business’s efficiency in its uptime, it also helps to futureproof your operations, allowing you to adapt to future advancements and remain a competitor in your industry. And, as if that wasn’t enough, it protects all of your data and keeps your systems safe and compliant, it helps to promote your company’s reputation.
There is no question, then, that choosing your IT infrastructure model and provider is an important decision. Fortunately, we understand how daunting this choice can be, which is why we offer a no-obligation meeting to help you understand your business’s needs and the best model which delivers them.
Whether you are looking to enhance your current infrastructure or implement a completely new solution, we provide tailored solutions to drive efficiency, reduce costs and ensure security. Learn more about how we can support your infrastructure needs by visiting our IT Infrastructure Services page or contacting us to get started.
FAQ
What are the seven components of IT infrastructure?
The seven core components of IT infrastructure are:
- Hardware: Physical devices like servers, storage systems, networking equipment, and end-user devices (e.g., computers, mobile devices).
- Software: Operating systems, applications, and management software that support and run the hardware and enable business operations.
- Network: The communication systems that allow devices to connect, including internet access, intranets, LANs, WANs, and communication protocols.
- Data: The digital information, databases, and data storage systems that are managed and accessed across the infrastructure.
- People: The IT staff, engineers, and administrators responsible for maintaining, supporting, and using the infrastructure effectively.
- Processes: The procedures, workflows, and practices that govern how IT resources are managed, maintained, and optimised.
- Security: The protective measures, protocols, and tools that safeguard the infrastructure, including firewalls, encryption, and access control systems.
What are the roles of IT infrastructure services?
IT infrastructure services play several critical roles in enabling business operations:
- Provisioning of Resources: IT infrastructure services provide the essential resources (compute, storage, network) that businesses need to operate and scale.
- Operational Continuity: These services ensure that business operations run smoothly by supporting systems availability, uptime, and performance.
- Security Management: This includes the implementation of security measures to protect the organisation’s data, networks, and systems from threats and breaches.
- Cost Management: IT infrastructure services help optimise and manage costs by ensuring efficient resource allocation and usage, minimising waste and maximising performance.
- Support for Innovation: They enable agility and flexibility, providing the platform for businesses to innovate, launch new products, and adapt to market changes quickly.
- Disaster Recovery: IT infrastructure services include disaster recovery capabilities, ensuring the business can continue operating even in the event of a system failure or data loss.
- Compliance and Governance: They ensure that the organisation meets regulatory requirements and adheres to industry standards for data management and security.
What are the three main areas of IT infrastructure?
The three main areas of IT infrastructure are:
- Computing Infrastructure: This includes the hardware and software resources required to process data, such as servers, storage systems, and virtualisation technologies.
- Networking Infrastructure: The network systems, such as routers, switches, and communication protocols, that allow different parts of the IT infrastructure to connect and communicate.
- Storage Infrastructure: The data management systems that provide secure, scalable, and efficient storage of organisational data, whether on-site or in the cloud.
What are ICT infrastructure services?
ICT (Information and Communication Technology) infrastructure services refer to the suite of services that support the design, deployment, and management of the hardware, software, networks, and data systems necessary for an organisation’s IT environment. These services typically include:
- Cloud Services: Hosting and managing computing resources, applications, and data in a virtualised, remote environment.
- Networking Services: Providing connectivity solutions like internet access, VPNs, intranets, and other networking tools for secure and efficient communication.
- Data Management: Services that handle data storage, backup, recovery, and governance to ensure secure and efficient access to critical information.
- Security Services: Protect the infrastructure with measures like firewalls, encryption, authentication, and other security protocols to prevent unauthorised access or data breaches.
- Support and Maintenance: Services that ensure the infrastructure is operational, up-to-date, and optimised through ongoing monitoring, troubleshooting, and patching.