Just curious as to what you think is a better option for server management - a company like touchsupport/serverwizards/etc... or an individual. It seems like an individual can get sick or go away on vacation or get swamped with work. However the service you get from a company is not very personal - you are just an open ticket. Just curious on people's experiences and preferencesWell I personally like to build a relationship with clients on a one on one basis. I know their machines, I know them, they know me. Building trust is an important step in watching out for someone. I know many of the larger management companies can be very attentive but they don't know the details of your setup, in detail, like a one on one support person should.Whenever I'm not around or going to be out, I leave them with details to the one of the larger management companies who I trust and know personally for 24/7 emergencies. That way everyone wins.I prefer management companies becuase they can ran your business at any time. A man may be ill or leave for somewhere. You know it's a human factor and to avoid it I use the services of the companies.I prefer management companies becuase they can ran your business at any time.
And a "solo" company can't?
You're not after someone to "ran your business", you're after someone to "ran your servers". A competent business individual can manage servers, their own business, personal lives, and sleep quite well. I've done it for four years, without skipping a beat.
It's really rather simple. Providing individuals with multiple forms of contact (email, phone, IM, c2c, website messaging) is the key to everything. Keeping your servers notifying YOU what's going on at all hours of the day is, again, key to everything.
A good management company requires very little interaction with their clients, the work is done, the server is taken care of when it needs to be, rebooted if necessary, etc. A poor management company needs multiple employees to manage multiple tasks on the same server(s).
When you look at it, realistically, it doesn't matter how many employees the "company" has, as long as the server is managed, updated, synced, and protected, and if a fire breaks out, someone is there to handle it, by any method necessary.Some times I think that the individuals may do it better than some "companies" )). But as shows an expert quality of service at providers above and more stably. In my opinion advantages an individual management - closer attitude to you, lack - longer time of the tickets decision.If you need managed hosting, it's probably better to buy management from the same company who usually have enough of support to eliminate the consequences of "human factor".linux-tech, surely I meant "run your server" not business. nobody can run your business instead of you. Sorry me not to express my thoughts clearly.Well - there is always the cost factor as well but normally I would prefer to have direct contact with employees of the company I call or email but understand that it cost money to maintain those employees - such as benefits and level 3 techs are not cheap. Outsourced support/management might be ideal for the time being as you pay monthly a set price - but you get a team of people ready to assist you.My opinion - having your own staff is a start of growing your company into something more than just a single man operation. It is a good step to take.If you need managed hosting, it's probably better to buy management from the same company who usually have enough of support to eliminate the consequences of "human factor".
Incorrect,
"Companies" , especially datacenters don't manage a server properly. They CAN'T. They are focused on building their business, not properly managing their client's servers.
For example:
Properly managing a client's server means going through the logs on a constant basis, having those logs sent to the admin, having the admin go through them for problems. It also means reacting to those logs, not on a daily basis, but on a constant (sometimes hourly, or less) basis.
Datacenters don't have the time to do this, especially with the fact that most of them are charging < 100/month for servers any more. They have to effectively put their staff into support/building the servers up.I think is good to have both, a dedicated server administrator if you have the money to do that and also a management company just in case of emergencies.I think is good to have both, a dedicated server administrator if you have the money to do that and also a management company just in case of emergencies.
Agreed! If you can afford to. If I had to pick between the two, I'd go with a management company that offers true 24/7 management and fast resolution times. I have yet to find the perfect management company.And a "solo" company can't?.
From first hand experience i would agree with danny , i had faced a major issue when dealing with an individual who unfortunately fell ill and my server faced major disaster and took him to reply after 2 days . So one man show or solo company wont be an idle choice.Going with a company is a more secure way. Going with an individual is good as long as that single person is awake, available, alive and well..too many risk factors in my opinionWork with a company whois job is only mamagment.I had a problem with my server and paid 25$ for support to the owner of the a2b2.com ( Rus) . (My server isnt with him i paid for to fix the issue) I know he is good in VPS Server market but he couldnt fix my issue and closed my ticket. It is OK that he may not be solve but he didnt ask me that if my server is ok just closed the ticket. I didint asked for a refund because it is not important for me but the important thing is i wait him to fix the issue but he didnt fix it also make it difficult to fix and my server is offlie on this period. That was a mysql issue and after he came all the databases are gone.then i go to seeksadmin.com they fixed the issue and realize that there is a mysql attack to the server so they install a firewll and block the IP's. So i can surely say that if you need server go with a company who is working for itIf you need server managment go to a company who is working for it.Be careful. Using a company is no guarantee.
For example I've found in some small companies when you deal with the owner direclty the support is fantasitc, but when they aren't around the response is almost non existant. So although it's a company, it's really has the pros and cons of working with an individual.Well, i would prefer working with Dedicated Server Management company. My opinion is that (as stated before) an individula may get sick, or go for a vacation. Even if he notifies you before it, That does not mean you wont need someone to manage it during this period. Also a good company can really offer you 24/7 support while an idividual cant really be online and ready to help you 24/7 when will he sleep, eat, etc.In the mean time you can get it personal with an individual doing the job, As he will be familiar with you server, recent problems etc. So also an Individual isn't a bad solution for some needs.If you know how to do it, do it yourself. You don't hire nannies unless if you really have to. Your babies need your attention.
And a "solo" company can't?
You're not after someone to "ran your business", you're after someone to "ran your servers". A competent business individual can manage servers, their own business, personal lives, and sleep quite well. I've done it for four years, without skipping a beat.
It's really rather simple. Providing individuals with multiple forms of contact (email, phone, IM, c2c, website messaging) is the key to everything. Keeping your servers notifying YOU what's going on at all hours of the day is, again, key to everything.
A good management company requires very little interaction with their clients, the work is done, the server is taken care of when it needs to be, rebooted if necessary, etc. A poor management company needs multiple employees to manage multiple tasks on the same server(s).
When you look at it, realistically, it doesn't matter how many employees the "company" has, as long as the server is managed, updated, synced, and protected, and if a fire breaks out, someone is there to handle it, by any method necessary.Some times I think that the individuals may do it better than some "companies" )). But as shows an expert quality of service at providers above and more stably. In my opinion advantages an individual management - closer attitude to you, lack - longer time of the tickets decision.If you need managed hosting, it's probably better to buy management from the same company who usually have enough of support to eliminate the consequences of "human factor".linux-tech, surely I meant "run your server" not business. nobody can run your business instead of you. Sorry me not to express my thoughts clearly.Well - there is always the cost factor as well but normally I would prefer to have direct contact with employees of the company I call or email but understand that it cost money to maintain those employees - such as benefits and level 3 techs are not cheap. Outsourced support/management might be ideal for the time being as you pay monthly a set price - but you get a team of people ready to assist you.My opinion - having your own staff is a start of growing your company into something more than just a single man operation. It is a good step to take.If you need managed hosting, it's probably better to buy management from the same company who usually have enough of support to eliminate the consequences of "human factor".
Incorrect,
"Companies" , especially datacenters don't manage a server properly. They CAN'T. They are focused on building their business, not properly managing their client's servers.
For example:
Properly managing a client's server means going through the logs on a constant basis, having those logs sent to the admin, having the admin go through them for problems. It also means reacting to those logs, not on a daily basis, but on a constant (sometimes hourly, or less) basis.
Datacenters don't have the time to do this, especially with the fact that most of them are charging < 100/month for servers any more. They have to effectively put their staff into support/building the servers up.I think is good to have both, a dedicated server administrator if you have the money to do that and also a management company just in case of emergencies.I think is good to have both, a dedicated server administrator if you have the money to do that and also a management company just in case of emergencies.
Agreed! If you can afford to. If I had to pick between the two, I'd go with a management company that offers true 24/7 management and fast resolution times. I have yet to find the perfect management company.And a "solo" company can't?.
From first hand experience i would agree with danny , i had faced a major issue when dealing with an individual who unfortunately fell ill and my server faced major disaster and took him to reply after 2 days . So one man show or solo company wont be an idle choice.Going with a company is a more secure way. Going with an individual is good as long as that single person is awake, available, alive and well..too many risk factors in my opinionWork with a company whois job is only mamagment.I had a problem with my server and paid 25$ for support to the owner of the a2b2.com ( Rus) . (My server isnt with him i paid for to fix the issue) I know he is good in VPS Server market but he couldnt fix my issue and closed my ticket. It is OK that he may not be solve but he didnt ask me that if my server is ok just closed the ticket. I didint asked for a refund because it is not important for me but the important thing is i wait him to fix the issue but he didnt fix it also make it difficult to fix and my server is offlie on this period. That was a mysql issue and after he came all the databases are gone.then i go to seeksadmin.com they fixed the issue and realize that there is a mysql attack to the server so they install a firewll and block the IP's. So i can surely say that if you need server go with a company who is working for itIf you need server managment go to a company who is working for it.Be careful. Using a company is no guarantee.
For example I've found in some small companies when you deal with the owner direclty the support is fantasitc, but when they aren't around the response is almost non existant. So although it's a company, it's really has the pros and cons of working with an individual.Well, i would prefer working with Dedicated Server Management company. My opinion is that (as stated before) an individula may get sick, or go for a vacation. Even if he notifies you before it, That does not mean you wont need someone to manage it during this period. Also a good company can really offer you 24/7 support while an idividual cant really be online and ready to help you 24/7 when will he sleep, eat, etc.In the mean time you can get it personal with an individual doing the job, As he will be familiar with you server, recent problems etc. So also an Individual isn't a bad solution for some needs.If you know how to do it, do it yourself. You don't hire nannies unless if you really have to. Your babies need your attention.