Overview
Infrastructure as a service (IaaS) is an instant computing infrastructure, provisioned and managed over the internet. IaaS quickly scales up and down with demand, letting you pay only for what you use. It helps you avoid the capital expense and complexity of buying and managing your own physical servers and other datacenter infrastructure. Each resource is offered as a separate service component, and you only need to rent a particular one for as long as you need it. In addition to virtual servers, some vendors also offer physical servers as options within their IaaS. This is often needed for applications and databases that are more resource intensive or legacy applications that do not run well on virtual servers.
Why IaaS?
Choosing IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service) can offer several advantages for organizations seeking flexible and scalable infrastructure solutions. Here are some reasons why you might consider adopting IaaS:
Scalability & Flexibility
IaaS allows you to scale your infrastructure resources based on your organization's needs. Whether you need to quickly expand during peak periods or scale back during low-demand periods, IaaS provides the flexibility to adjust resources without the need for significant upfront investments or long-term commitments.
Rapid
Deployment
IaaS enables quick deployment of virtual machines, storage, and networking resources. You can provision and configure infrastructure components within minutes, allowing you to respond rapidly to changing business needs or launch new applications and services with minimal lead time.
Focus on Core Competencies
By leveraging IaaS, you can focus on your organization's core competencies and strategic initiatives rather than spending time and resources managing infrastructure. IaaS providers handle infrastructure maintenance, upgrades, security, and operational tasks, freeing up your internal IT team to focus on value-added activities.
Multiple Environments
IaaS provides an ideal platform for testing and development activities. You can quickly provision virtual environments, clone configurations, and experiment with different setups without impacting your production infrastructure.
Security & Compliance
Reputable IaaS providers invest heavily in security measures to protect their infrastructure and customer data. They implement physical security controls, data encryption, access controls, and compliance certifications to ensure the security and privacy of your applications and data. Compliance requirements can also be facilitated through the use of IaaS providers who have relevant certifications and compliance controls in place.
Cost
Efficiency
With IaaS, you can avoid the upfront costs associated with purchasing and maintaining physical infrastructure. Instead, you pay for the resources you use on a subscription or pay-as-you-go basis, converting capital expenses to predictable operational expenses. This cost model is particularly beneficial for organizations with fluctuating or unpredictable resource requirements.
Global Reach & Availability
IaaS providers often have data centers in multiple geographic regions, allowing you to deploy infrastructure closer to your end users or comply with data residency requirements. This global reach ensures high availability, reduced latency, and improved performance for your applications and services.
Business Continuity
Many IaaS providers offer built-in disaster recovery features, such as automated backups, data replication across multiple locations, and recovery options. These features help ensure business continuity by minimizing the impact of potential disruptions or disasters.
High Performance & Elasticity
IaaS platforms often offer high-performance computing capabilities and the ability to elastically scale resources up or down based on demand. This ensures that your applications can handle traffic spikes, process large amounts of data, and deliver optimal performance to end users.
Integration & Compatibility
IaaS is designed to integrate with other cloud services and technologies. You can easily connect IaaS components with platform-as-a-service (PaaS) offerings, software-as-a-service (SaaS) applications, or other cloud-based services, creating a cohesive and integrated cloud environment.
Why Choose NorthStar for your IaaS Needs?
There are many facets to consider when exploring Infrastructure as a Service solutions and it can be very confusing to figure out who is going to be the right IaaS partner for your company. We understand this and have helped other companies like yours weave their way through this complex process.
Assessments
We can help you identify the current state of your IT Infrastructure, identify your requirements and gaps, and help you choose the correct IaaS solution providers to bring in.
Audit Services
We will audit your current Infrastructure Architecture and provider(s) to determine if you are using the best and most cost-effective solution(s) for your business.
Design
We can recommend IaaS solutions based on current industry trends and best practices, so you can be sure that you are receiving a quality solution.
Implementation
In addition to securing the correct IaaS solution, we can often assist you with implementing new solutions.
Selection
We are IaaS supplier agnostic and work with numerous providers. We can offer the best options from multiple suppliers.
Cost Management
We want to provide you with a great IaaS solution within your budget and will work to make sure you are investing your money well.
NorthStar has reach and depth, tenured engineers and facilitators, and a deep bench of proven experience-based knowledge. We can help you assess your current state and identify potential IaaS companies that will be the right fit for your organization.
Is IaaS Right for Your Organization?
Determining whether IaaS is right for you depends on several factors. You should evaluate your specific needs, budget, scalability requirements, control preferences, technical capabilities, and data security/compliance requirements to determine if IaaS with your business objectives. Consider the following:
Scalability & Flexibility
Assess whether your organization requires the ability to scale infrastructure resources up or down based on demand. If you need the flexibility to rapidly adjust resources without upfront investments or long-term commitments, IaaS can provide the necessary scalability.
Cost
Effectiveness
Compare the cost of implementing and maintaining on-premises infrastructure versus adopting IaaS. Consider factors such as hardware costs, maintenance expenses, and the potential savings from converting capital expenses to predictable operational expenses.
Rapid Deployment
Evaluate the speed and agility of deploying infrastructure resources within your organization. IaaS enables quick provisioning and configuration of virtual machines, storage, and networking components, allowing you to respond rapidly to changing business needs or launch new applications and services.
Focus on Core Competencies
Assess if managing infrastructure aligns with your organization's core competencies and strategic focus. By leveraging IaaS, you can offload infrastructure management tasks to the service provider, freeing up your internal IT resources to focus on value-added activities and core business objectives.
Business Continuity
Assess the importance of disaster recovery and business continuity for your organization. IaaS providers often offer built-in disaster recovery features, such as automated backups, data replication, and recovery options. Consider if these features provide the level of protection required for your critical applications and data.
IT Skills &
Expertise
Evaluate the availability of skilled IT resources within your organization to manage and maintain on-premises infrastructure. If your organization lacks the necessary expertise or faces challenges in keeping up with evolving technologies, IaaS can provide access to specialized skills and knowledge from the service provider.
Integration & Compatibility
Consider the compatibility of your existing applications and systems with IaaS. Assess if the IaaS platform supports the technologies and frameworks you currently use or plan to adopt. Ensure seamless integration between IaaS components and other cloud services or on-premises infrastructure.
Risk Tolerance
Evaluate your organization's risk tolerance and the criticality of your infrastructure. Consider the potential benefits and risks associated with transitioning to a cloud-based infrastructure model.
Security & Compliance
Consider the security measures and compliance requirements specific to your organization. Reputable IaaS providers invest in robust security controls, data encryption, access management, and compliance certifications. Evaluate if the security measures offered by IaaS providers align with your organization's needs.
-
How does CCaaS differ from traditional on-premise contact center solutions?CCaaS operates in the cloud, which means that the software and infrastructure are hosted by a third-party provider. In contrast, traditional on-premise contact center solutions require companies to manage their hardware and software on-site.
-
Will I be able to keep my existing PBX and just migrate my contact center to CCaaS?Yes, we would be able to implement an "overlay" architecture which would allow you to keep your PBX and the CCaaS would be on top of your PBX. This is a very popular solution.
-
What features does CCaaS typically include?CCaaS platforms generally include features such as call routing, IVR (Interactive Voice Response), omnichannel support (email, chat, social media), call recording, real-time analytics, workforce management, and integration with CRM systems.
-
Can CCaaS support multi-channel customer interactions?Yes, CCaaS platforms offer omnichannel support, enabling businesses to handle customer interactions across various channels, such as voice, email, chat, and social media, from a unified interface.
-
Is there redundancy already built in with a CCaaS solution or will I have to provide for that?Yes, redundancy is already built in with a cloud solution. There are multiple geo data centers in place to support all types of transmissions and applications. Within the data centers there are multiple redundant servers and microservers available to support the businesses to prevent outages.
-
How long will it take to implement a CCaaS solution?It will all depend on the existing environment (network, number of seats, business type, etc.) that is in place. Hwever, in most cases a 45-60 day implementation timeline (after solution selection is made) would be the average which would include the planning, implementation and support.
-
Is CCaaS suitable for small businesses?Yes, CCaaS can be a viable solution for small businesses as it allows them to access advanced contact center capabilities without the need for significant upfront investments in infrastructure.
-
How does CCaaS support remote work?CCaaS platforms enable agents to work remotely as long as they have an internet connection. Agents can access the contact center system and handle customer interactions from anywhere, enhancing workforce flexibility.
-
Is CCaaS secure and compliant with industry regulations?Reputable CCaaS providers prioritize security and compliance with industry standards such as GDPR and HIPAA. They implement robust security measures to protect customer data and ensure data privacy.
-
Do I have to purchase a full contact center seat, or will I have the option to choose only what I need at a given time?This is one of the many benefits of a CCaaS solution. You can choose only what you need at first (e.g. You can have an ACD & IVR only, without Omni-channel or WFO)
