Software: Hosted Detail
Why host with Conexion?
This is an important decision that could cost you thousands of dollars – or save you thousands. As leading industry experts, we don’t just provide the technology. We also understand how best to manage it and maintain it.
Our Hosted Software reduces the amount of money you would spend for the life of your computers and network systems if you had to buy the equipment yourself. We provide the server hardware, server operating systems and we handle all server maintenance.
Always the latest versions of the software. The latest versions of software and patches are installed automatically – so you have no confusing instructions to follow or install discs to use. We update and maintain the software during off-peak hours, so there’s no down time for you due to maintenance.
Increases productivity; reduce personal usage. We control the software that is on the central server, so your staff cannot add extra software (i.e.; games, etc) that diverts their attention during working hours.
Easy remote access from anywhere, at anytime. Since our software is hosted like a website on the Internet, you view the same software (with all of your up-to-the-minute data!) no matter where you are or what computer you’re using.
Guarantees maximum security of your data. All data is stored and backed up on our central server. Our servers and workstations are monitored 24/7 to ensure security.
Includes 24/ 7 technical support. Our team is available around-the-clock to provide you technical support whenever you need it, all at no additional cost to you.
We invest in the initial and ongoing hardware and software costs – so you don’t have to. As experts in this business, Conexion has made a major investment in setting up our secure hosted environment. That means we bear the burden of the equipment, licensing fees and maintenance costs. You reduce your total cost of ownership with no need to buy high-priced hardware.
All of the hardware components in our Hosted Software solution are completely redundant, and we backup your data regularly and often. Conexion’s Citrix server environment is a load balance managed server farm running on Windows server. Our SQL Server environment runs in a Microsoft Windows clustered server environment on a high performance HP storage area network.
Conexion takes proactive steps by replacing our hardware every 36 months. We do this not only to ensure the best possible performance, but also to prevent hardware problems. Since the average time between failures for most server hardware is 36 months, by proactively replacing all hardware every 36 months, we are able to prevent issues like power supply problems and hard disk failure.
When you host with Conexion, you don’t pay for expensive hardware and software licensing costs. If you hosted internally, your infrastructure costs would be significant. To replicate a redundant environment for 50 workstation seats, you would need to commit to the hardware and software licenses for two application servers, two SQL Servers, and a SCSI Storage Area Network. The hardware costs for this environment can reach a minimum of $30,000, and the Microsoft software licensing costs can easily exceed $50,000. With our Hosted Software, we pay those costs so you don’t have to.
We ensure managed compliance. Since Conexion processes a high volume of credit card transactions, the credit card associations have classified us as a Level 2 Merchant. As a result, we are required to comply with the Payment Card Industry (PCI) security regulations. Every quarter our network is scanned by a PCI authorized third party to ensure compliance, and we continuously self-audit our internal systems to ensure the integrity of your data systems. Our compliance certificates are available to you, and you do not have to pay to meet any of these compliance requirements.
Our Data Center staff manages and monitors all software. No staff training or management process integration is necessary. The administration of your desktops and other server systems is a full time job. Adding a third party product to the mix is just more work for your staff.
The management of Conexion’s Hosted Software – from the administration of database backup to security patching and updating – is handled by Conexion’s full-time Data Center staff. Our Data Center team monitors system performance and all database backups, and stores the backups offsite with three weeks rotation on the tapes by Iron Mountain.
The Conexion Data Center staff also tests all Microsoft security patches for compliance with our system prior to releasing them into the hosted environment. This process alleviates one crucial area from your existing patch management process.
We provide constant, redundant support - for you. If you host internally, you risk all of your facilities losing service if the local telephone or electric company slices a line at your corporate office. However, with the Hosted Software, multiple internet connections are provided at Conexion’s Data Center to ensure constant accessibility to your software. The two main providers are Qwest and UUNet, and the traffic is delivered from multiple substations, eliminating concerns about high traffic.
A diesel generator is used to provide backup power, and all systems run off of a redundant APC data center battery backup. Every month that generator is tested to ensure that all systems are operational. Four independent companies are under contract to provide diesel fuel for the generator, again ensuring reliability.
In addition, Conexion’s Helpdesk and Data Center staff are available 24/7 to support this mission critical application. This eliminates your scheduling issues and provides support while your retail stores are operational.
Your data’s physical security is guaranteed. Conexion’s hi-tech Data Center employs biometric security and motion-activated cameras, and screens all employees to ensure that our systems and your data are secure.
Your data is always accessible to you. At your request, Conexion can provide your SQL Server database to you either burned to a DVD and sent by courier, or electronically by FTP file upload to your environment. If you wish, you can operate an internal environment as a “hot spare” for reporting purposes.
Our IT experts are value-added consultants for you. Conexion’s Data Center team members are accessible for you to bounce ideas around with, or to get a second opinion regarding your own IT needs. Our staff is on our clock, not yours, so you get an unbiased answer.