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General Cloud Hosting Discussion / Ensure your Business Continuity for Better Business Results

« on: June 17, 2021, 06:01:29 AM »

With ESDS, get faster, reliable, and regular backups ensuring high-performance servers. With a commitment to ensure business, ESDS delivers Cloud-based backup and recovery solutions backed by advanced technologies. ESDS Best-in-Class Backup and Recovery Solutions deliver bit-level, disk-based protection rather than backing up individual files, ensuring recovery of every file, database, and entire user account.

Why ESDS Backup & Recovery?

• Regular Backups

With regular backups from ESDS, business continuity and 100% uptime even after disasters have been the reality for the business arena. ESDS Backup and Recovery Solution deploy replication and synchronization across the entire network for protecting the disk data. Timely snapshots are stored on disk-based storage, allowing faster recovery of data from any crash, hardware failure, or any form of disaster.

• Faster Backups

ESDS bypasses the file system level to ensure business continuity and backups. ESDS reads the hard disk volumes through the expertise business continuity solution offered at the sector level. Using the disk sector synchronization, ESDS makes sure there are zero interruptions to other I/O requests irrespective of the server's status (busy or online).

• Reliable Backups

ESDS, through its reliable backup solution, ensures multiple restoration points and complete management control for delivering protection of the entire system and server backups.

What Value ESDS Offers

1.High-Performance Backups

Replicating data to disk-based storage reduces the backup time from hours to minutes, reducing the server load impact.

2.Central Backup Repository

The central backup repository helps in eliminating the need for any extra hardware when working on the existing TCP/IP network infrastructure.

3.Portable Backup Solutions

The portable backup solution allows the disk's migration to a new location by copying it on a USB drive or any external portable solution. These backups can be easily moved to newer locations.

Multiple Point Replication

The multi-point replication of backed-up data creates multiple replicas of servers, both on-site and off-site ensuring redundant copies of recovery points.

4.Bare-Metal Recovery

The Bare Metal Restore is a high-performance alternative for the restoration of individual files, bypassing the file system and streams block directly to disk, allowing faster recovery of large files.

5.Web Interface

The web interface allows users to browse, download and restore files across all the recovery points. Also, it allows the live tracking of detailed progress of restoration and recovery.

6.High Data Retention

Users can define a CDN replication goal after a given fixed interval of time. Later the recovery points can be defined for retaining where the old recovery points are automatically merged for restoring the storage.

7.Protection for MySQL and MS SQL databases

The advanced system allows backing up of MySQL and MSSQL databases by offering a minimal disk I/O load and impact using Continuous Data Protection.

Backup Plans

1.Backup Space: 100 GB

Monthly Cost: Rs.599.00
Quarterly Cost: Rs.1695.00
Half-Yearly Cost: Rs. 3360.00
Annual Cost: Rs.6900.00

Request Now

2.Backup Space: 250 GB

Monthly Cost: Rs.1050.00
Quarterly Cost: Rs.3075.00
Half-Yearly Cost: Rs. 6120.00
Annual Cost: Rs. 12180.00

Request Now

3.Backup Space: 500 GB

Monthly Cost: Rs.1750.00
Quarterly Cost: Rs.5175.00
Half-Yearly Cost: Rs. 10320.00
Annual Cost: Rs.20580.00

Request Now

2.Backup Space: 1 TB

Monthly Cost: Rs.2650.00
Quarterly Cost: Rs. 7875.00
Half-Yearly Cost: Rs. 15720.00
Annual Cost: Rs. 31380.00

Request Now

Leverage Enhanced Backup and Recovery from ESDS for Uninterrupted Business Continuity

Landing URL:https://www.esds.co.in/backup-recovery

2

Cloud Hosting Experience / Data Replication or Data Back-Up – Recognize What You Need!

« on: June 14, 2021, 12:13:01 PM »

The usage of a back-up strategy by businesses is growing organically.  Thinking about early days, manually copying the essential files to a detachable media was a hectic task to the system administrator. In earlier times, a stack of floppy disks would have been sufficient, but as time passed, the storage capacity increased, and the detachable media also expanded its range. Then we saw tapes and hard drives of much higher capacity.

The Decades When Point-in-Time Backups Were Enough
Since the volume of the data back then was comparatively small, this method was enough. A single copy of the complete data, taken at the time of significant data operations was sufficient then.

Later, the dropping costs and rising revolution in the technical upgradation lead to the need for an increased understanding of data importance. This growing knowledge about the importance of data created some problems too, although. The expanding amount of data stored could not be quickly transferred to any external media when any back-up source had to be created in an overnight.

And, obviously revealed a further issue with the traditional back-up techniques, which was to recover the lost data in minimal time from the back-up source.  It usually takes three hours to retrieve the data after a disaster. More significant back-ups were possible to put into multiple devices, but the gathering of those to recover a full system was a strenuous task, and hence it took days! So, it was inevitable that your business could suffer for days before it runs with a full fledge.

Finding a Subordinate Data Centre for Replication
The enterprises needed secondary/subordinate data centres in such a time. With replication in nearly real-time, the process of remote data synchronisation became smoother. This replication could come up when there was an extreme need for failover in case of any disaster.

So, at the beginning of the replication era, it was a costly technology as you had to purchase a second set of complete infrastructure for central systems and hence only bigger companies could afford it. Moreover, the replication was also done in batches just like traditional back-ups, which could provide the needed copy (point-in-time) at the remote location.  When the failure occurred, there was always a high possibility of losing some snapshots.

Even though with disadvantages, doing early replication was a crucial step and the best option available then. This option could bring the mission-critical data back online in some minutes and reduce the damage by offering quick business continuity.

Cloud-Based Replication – The Tomorrow is Here
Several technological advancements caused to start replication for all business types. We now have high-speed and low-cost data and immense scalability and flexibility of the cloud which has shattered many barriers. Due to this progress, organisations can save a lot, and they don’t have to build a subsidiary data centre with more expenses.

Current data replication techniques are having a big range of alternatives for all types of businesses. There is an option to choose the entire physical server with its components or just the needed ones from the VM. You get the cloud services or a combination of several services with significant control of choosing the replication destination as per your necessities.

You can also fine-tune and control the data-recovery operations with the use of cloud-based replication. The correct cloud service provider will let you define the parameters for disaster recovery, like RTOs and RPOs. Plus, he will also ask you the resource requirements like memory allocation and processor configuration according to your budget. You shall even get the SLAs defined by the organisation (CSP) so that you can assess their reliability. You can synchronise a significant amount of data in real time and at meagre costs.

The Last Lesson
Even though data replication is available in abundance, it is only one part of a complete disaster recovery solution package. You will have to ensure that the replicated information is correct and the system can get active perfectly when your website gets disconnected. You will also have to see if you get the testing facility before deploying the replication systems. The tests need to be performed regularly so that you don’t be unlucky when the disaster occurs and you get your data back as it was. This step will heighten the scale of your business continuity.

You can know more about the disaster recovery from our earlier blogs. If you want to get the benefit of the disaster recovery services, then please check this.

3

General Cloud Hosting Discussion / What are the standard features of Colocation Services ?

« on: June 11, 2021, 12:43:43 PM »

Colocation means nothing but moving one’s IT infrastructure to the Data Center or the fully managed & secured infrastructure. There are many reasons as to why one must move their servers to the data centers? It gives you the liberty to place your servers in a secure environment which is being monitored 24×7 by the highly qualified person and also is away from any natural threats that may occur any moment at any time. This is the safest, most secure colocation service available for the security of your data.

There are some specific set standard features of colocation services available, which are as follows:

1) A server is into the most reliable and secure infrastructure.
2) It’s been monitored 24x7x365 days by the thorough professionals.
3) The server or the equipment are protected against power failure.
4) It is protected against the natural threats caused due to natural calamities like flooding, fire, etc.
5) The data center infrastructure includes power feed and network uplink as standard, both power and network can be upgraded to meet one’s requirements.
6) Different State-of-the-Art Colocation Facilities to Choose From.
7) High Performance Switched 1.5 Mbps, 10 Mbps, 100 Mbps,1000 Mbps, and 10,000 Mbps Internet Port Plans.
8 ) The colocation facility provides a platform of  Reliable High-Speed Internet Bandwidth
9) Simple Migration Path to 100 Mbps, 1000 Mbps, and 10,000 Mbps Internet Service as per the requirements
10) As far as the power is concerned it generally has full Colocation Facility 24 / 365 UPS and Prime Source Generator Backed Power to Protect In Any Power Emergency.
11) Cooling is one of the major concerned of data centers which is being sought out by Climate Controlled Environment With Redundant A/C Systems in Every Colocation Suite.
12) From a physical security point of view Individually Locked Secure Cabinets as a Standard – Cages and Racks are available with the data centers.

The above feature is the basic features which have been generally provided by the data centers along with their colocation services. It is always advisable to put your servers in safe hands.

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General Cloud Hosting Discussion / Why Should People Consider Colocation?

« on: June 10, 2021, 12:59:11 PM »

When your data is stored with Colocation Company, it becomes highly secured and monitored by their technical experts. This vendor offers 24/7 support, building security and infrastructure such as power, cooling, fire protection and redundancy.

The most important fact of choosing a colocation provider is – making more effective use of capital and having a higher quality facility for your mission-critical applications.

How do you determine quality in colocation facility selection?
These are the factors to consider when choosing colocation services:

• Quality of The Facility
• Cooling
• Fire Protection
• Connectivity
• Physical Location
• Redundancy
• Provider’s Business Health
• Service Offered

(Dig deep to know if the provider operates the facility 24/7 or its managed by a remote handle) this key factor can make a difference in the quality of service provided and physical security.

Benefits of Colocation
Connectivity
The 24/7 support service is frequent enough to keep all your data running smoothly, and design to ensure that there no downtime for end users. One of the crucial benefits is that colocation providers provide that your data are connected (non-stop) to the border world 24/7.

Performance
Electronic data and equipment function more efficiently in cold temperature and a dust-free environment. No offices can be compared with the cooling and air filtration systems that a professional data centre provides.

Redundancy
Speaking of 100% uptime, a pivotal element to think about is redundancy. Colocation data centres offer N+1 redundancy. That is, components (N) have at least one level of redundancy. For example, there are backup generators in case of power failure.

Power and Cooling
Power and cooling are without a doubt the hottest buttons in colocation today. It is essential for customers to speak the same language as providers when it comes to power requirements. Customers need to understand their power — where it is coming from and how they use it — to be sure they are on the same page as providers.

When it comes to assessing internal facility capabilities for a data centre, this is more than a simple available office space issue. Companies need to look at do they have the infrastructure to build a data centre — covering areas like power, cooling, fire suppression systems and more.

There is a need for temperatures to be controlled. The colocation providers monitor the temperature at a different location and install powerful air condition to keep component within their optimal range. Colocation providers also regulate humidity. End users that are in areas of high humidity will keep air below the dew point to avoid condensation. There is also a humidification system to prevent static electricity discharge in an area with low humidity.

Fire Protection
Colocation centres engaged in active (fire suppression system) and passive (sensitive smoke detectors) fire protection elements.

Speed
Data centres and colocation facilities offer cost-effective, fast connections directly to multiple internet service providers to provide top performance and redundancy in the event of connection interruption or overload.

Cost and Space Savings
Data service offer a clean room and 24/7 monitoring while freeing up a valuable office space.

Performance
Electronic equipment performs best in a constant cool temperature and a dust-free environment. Even the cleanest offices can’t compare with the cooling and air filtration systems that a professional data centre provides.

Risk Management
Emergencies happen, but when your mission-critical equipment operates at an off-site data centre, you’ll have redundancies and security in place to continue operations unaffected.

Security
Colocation providers offered multi-layered security protection. They install CCTV cameras and also make use of biometric identification for access and have enclosures to cordon off various tenant equipment.

At a base level is physical security. Customers should develop a comprehensive understanding of a provider’s security approach. Are they staffed internally or do they use contractors? Where are the security cameras and how is data retained? How are access rights granted into the facility and to your specific environment? Security considerations also need to extend to the logical layer, such as Internet services, to be sure your applications and data are protected from external threats.

An application is more inherently secured in a colocation facility than in your data canter. This facilities and data centres are designed to ensure that your data are protected from burglars, fires and other things that can compromise the security of your information.

Scalability
Colocation offers your company the flexibility to scale up or down easily while allowing you to pay for only the space and power you need and just when you need it.

Disaster Recovery Consideration
If a company does its homework in the selection process, it will statistically reduce the probability it will experience a physical outage by utilising a quality colocation provider.

Companies should utilise either their own facility or another site offered by the provider as a secondary site. And the secondary site should be ‘far enough’ away to be outside the disaster area of the primary but also ‘close enough’ to be able to leverage technologies like synchronous replication is required. Also, look for a colocation provider experienced in providing both production and secondary sites so they can map to your complete needs.

One disaster recovery best practice that is sometimes overlooked is testing. Companies should commit to regular testing to be sure their disaster preparedness plans can quickly recover the applications most critical in running the business.


Conclusion

While the needs a colocation provider fulfils may seem necessary: access to high-quality data centre space; power; carrier diversity and high availability bandwidth with redundant networks; and more predictable costs, working with a reliable provider that offers higher levels of availability and makes continuous investments in its infrastructure will result in real cost benefits.

Working with a reliable provider that offers higher levels of availability and makes continuous investments in its infrastructure will result in real cost benefits.

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General Cloud Hosting Discussion / Advantages of Dedicated Server Hosting

« on: June 09, 2021, 10:39:17 AM »

Usually, an inexpensive web hosting server’s resources are shared between numerous, sometimes almost countless numbers of websites residing on a single web server. Despite the fact that division of resources brings down the expense of hosting for your users simply because many people share all the web hosting resources, a big company or any individual needing total server handle will prefer the powerful dedicated server hosting. This is especially beneficial.

Dedicated server hosting in can be used by the thousands of top and middle-level companies with great advantages. This method of hosting makes it possible for these customers to hold the most effective functions of web hosting exclusively for their companies without sharing the servers with other individuals or companies.

The dedicated server hosting provider will maintain the security aspect of the company’s important sites and sensitive data. It also means that the company can get the entire web server for its exclusive use. The server resources like the disk space, RAM, quality bandwidth, and other such important features can now belong exclusively to the company leasing or owning the dedicated server.

This can actually mean saving money in the long run, saving on maintenance, hardware and software updates, saving on office space and power consumption. Also, using a dedicated server hosting can mean getting expert help at an affordable price.

A web based organization user leases a managed dedicated server which is often a sort of dedicated server. Leasing a managed dedicated server is incredibly beneficial to the person. From it, the consumer can certainly have total handle more than the sources with the web server. The person may also pick whether the web server has Windows or Linux operating system on it.

Apart from these couple of popular operating systems, the person can opt for some other operating system that the web host may possibly present using the package. The operator may also possess the style of web applications, hardware, and softwares added on it which often will make the website very highly effective.

Even though this type of dedicated web hosting service is high priced, the positive aspects are great. The web host might even present supplemental services like server administration for extra fees.

The positive aspects of opting for a managed dedicated server are as follows:
As opposed to a colocation web server which uses a colocation facility to run a web server owned with the person, the managed dedicated server is owned through the web service provider. But like the colocation web server, it truly is housed inside a well-maintained data center and gets top-quality expert service.

Quite a few times, the technical aspects of the web server are furnished with the web host. These elements include the managing of web software and Operating system technical support.

Though some operating systems are accessible free of expense, some Os might need payment for utilizing them. For example, the Linux Operating system is essentially free, but the Windows Os just isn’t. An Os known as Red Hat Enterprise is a variant based on the free Linux Os, but is obtainable on payment of monthly fees. Some of the other free operating systems are CentOS, Debian, NetBSD, FreeBSD, and OpenBSD.

The website’s security furnished with the dedicated server is highly dependable compared to that with the shared web hosting server. In an unmanaged dedicated server, the safety with the server could be the responsibility with the web hosting provider. A corporate website demands the most effective server’s potent assets and finish protection for its day-to-day operations. Thus, using Dedicated Server from ESDS  can be hugely beneficial as well as profitable for any small or big company.

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General Cloud Hosting Discussion / Why Global Mobile Cloud Market Is Predicted To Reach USD 122.8 Billion By 2025?

« on: June 07, 2021, 11:06:37 AM »

Well, it is an era of apps! Everything you need to do is done right away with the help of an app in your device connected to the internet. In this article, we will see details about mobile applications and their benefits for businesses.

I feel, there is no need to mention what a mobile app is? Everyone who uses an internet-connected device knows what an app is? The mobile cloud application is nothing but a properly functioning code that helps in doing your things as you want. The output you get is with the access of internet on your portable device.

Though, cloud-based mobile apps and web apps are alike as they are server-run and not device-run. They both save the data externally and are accessed via the internet with the help of a browser. But, here is a catch! All cloud apps are web apps, but not all web apps are cloud-based. As all mobile web apps can’t run in a virtual system; they need to be re-engineered for that.

Why so? Because a web app might be written in such a way to function and store data on a physical server. This server is located in a data center.

Then what about a cloud app? It will have to be written directly on virtual servers having a multi-tenant and distributed architecture with storage on the cloud.

Now, the apps which we download and use on our mobiles are called native mobile apps. The tiresome job of creating a native mobile app is that the developers will have to develop separate code versions for Android, iOS, and Windows devices. Whereas, mobile cloud apps are not downloaded so the developers will have to write only one version of the mobile app and it can be compatible with any internet-connected device with a browser. The challenging part is coding and maintaining the APIs (Application Programming Interfaces), which use loosely coupled services of the cloud.

The reason for the increase in the number of mobile apps is very well known. From cab booking to laundry booking and ordering food, there is almost everything the apps can do. There has been a history of creating apps since they were born. Earlier, the mobile apps were built as per the natural base, means for each OS. Therefore, users have to download them on their devices.

As times changed, cloud apps began to become popular for obvious reasons.

If you are planning to build a mobile app on the cloud environment, which you should, it might confuse you in the beginning. Or, you might have made a native mobile app for your business, but considering the cloud app and you don’t have much idea.

So, if you are on the boundary line and deciding whether it’s the catch; let me tell you the reasons for why it is! You can use these points as a guide so that you will be able to understand why cloud apps are necessary.

Simultaneous Launch on Multiple Platforms
Cloud apps can work on both Android and iOS platforms and hence it eliminates the need to code separately for each one. Naturally, the audience reach becomes, and it helps your business. You will get rid of the dilemma of which OS users to target first.

Low Cost & Less Time, Yes Please!
Well, this is obvious that you will save a lot of cost and time as you are not building two different versions of an app. Be it a start-up or an established organisation, who don’t want a significant number of sales at low cost and less time? Besides, considering the future, even if you save on building two native apps yet you can’t avoid the high and frequent maintenance costs. It is evident that cloud development is not free and ultra-cheap, but, it is definitely beneficial on numerous aspects in the long run. Now, that’s what everyone wants, isn’t it?

No Need for Installation
As mentioned earlier, customers don’t need to go through the ‘download and install’ steps. Anyone can access cloud apps via a mobile browser and experience the engaging interface. This is not the case with native apps. Developers need to consider, not just the OS but also the type of device and make changes accordingly. Cloud apps have direct interaction with the cloud for data transfer, thus, providing a flying experience.

Data Storage Safety
Native apps store the data on user’s devices whereas cloud apps have the data on the cloud. Local data has higher chances of attacks and getting lost than the data on the cloud. Protecting your customers’ information is your prime responsibility to stay trustworthy in the market. Hence, using a cloud for data storage is the best option.

Seamless Database Integration
Database integration is a vital part of development. With native apps, this process can be quite complex, tiresome, and of course, time-consuming. Cloud apps can make this process a lot easier as the cloud server syncs all the information. Hence, developers don’t have to write complex code for assimilating the database.

Easy Scaling
We can never just create a thing and then look no after it, constant improvement is needed. Same is the case for apps as well.

As we saw earlier, this regular maintenance isn’t cheap. But with that said, it’s definitely necessary. Think about why you built your app in the first place. New features shall be there which can roll out over the period of time. Therefore, you have to make changes to give better user experiences as compared to your rivals. Now, updates, bug fixes, and new features are a part of native apps as well, but that is costlier than the cloud apps. Your apps should be scalable, and the cloud provides that power.

Recovering Data and Business Continuity
As we discussed above in the case of storage, local data can get easily destroyed and corrupted. The risk factors should also be taken into consideration while you are running a business. Natural hazards or man-made mistakes can cause local data to get destroyed. But, having the data on the cloud means that you have more back-ups on multiple servers which are accurate.

Concluding the Discussion

All in all, cloud apps are a better choice in today’s world after considering all the points mentioned. Everything has its pros and cons, but when the advantages are more and stronger than the cons, I guess anyone will choose the stronger option.

7

General Cloud Hosting Discussion / Data Center Security: Core Concepts and Market Trends

« on: June 04, 2021, 10:31:23 AM »

Understanding Data Center Security

The concept of Data Center security discusses the practices, policies, security measures along with technologies that are used for ensuring physical and virtual protection of any Data Center facility. Data Centers need to be safeguarded against all forms of insider and outsider threats besides other forms of prominent forms of cybercrimes. They constantly pose threats to a Data CentreÂ’s security infrastructure.

The following are some basic yet commonly used considerations for deciding the effectiveness of a Data Center-

• Physical security of the Data Center infrastructure
• Managing and controlling user access
• Defining security procedures and protocols

The considerations mentioned above might be complex in nature, made of different elements used to define individual Data Center componentsÂ’ effectiveness. The absence of a multi-layered security environment at a Data Center may compromise the Data Center infrastructure against all forms of persistent threats.

Why is Data Center Security Needed?

Data Center Security is important for any organization that stores critical and vital user information within Data Centers. A robust Data Center security infrastructure ensures hackers and other cybercriminals are kept away from the central repository. A Data Center security solution can be achieved either through Data Centers or a partner.

The absence of Data Center security can possibly invite the following attacks-

• Scanning/Probing- In this form of a Data Center attack, a request is given to multiple port addresses present on an active port with the intent to create damage using the weakness present in the service port.
  
• Denial of Service (DoS) Attacks-Denial of Service attacks occurs when the system owners are restricted from accessing their network and other critical system resources, resulting in a hostile threat-like situation.
  
• Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) Attacks- This attack takes place on several systems present in the network, leaving the entire network open to cyber risks.
  

Access Controls in Data Centers
There are three significant reasons why an access control mechanism is indispensable in any Data Center infrastructure. These reasons include-

• Physical Security- A Data CenterÂ’s physical security is clearly guaranteed when selecting the Data Center access controls. The Data Center providers donÂ’t want unrestricted members to access the floor. The physical security of Data Center becomes an ultimate security measure when it combines with the compatibility and compliance of Data Centers.
  
• Compatibility- In terms of compatibility, using a Cloud-based Access Control mechanism allows the Data Center providers to integrate the existing IT infrastructure with all the physical components present in the Data Center. Cloud-based access control can be combined with intrusion detection alerts, multi-factor authentication, and other enhanced security measures. Usually, the legacy access control systems can be highly ineffective as they donÂ’t assure any form of compatibility.
  
• Compliances-To ensure the complete security of a Data Center, it is a must that the Data Center provider follows certain protocols required for implementing a system and legal compliances within the Data Centers.
  

Implementing Physical Security Policy in Data Centers
A Data Center provider needs to ensure that the physical security solutions are accompanied by a detailed physical security policy of a Data Center. Such policies ensure that accessing sensitive information is asked to follow a well-defined operating procedure to mitigate any form of risks like data breaches, cyberattacks, or even damage to the hardware.

Ensuring Digital Security in Data Centers
Intrusion detection and threat prevention mechanisms can notify the system administrators about any form of advanced persistent cyberthreat. The advanced persistent cyber threats are usually performed by hackers, with the clear intent of collecting usersÂ’ critical information. Detection of advanced persistent threats within a Data Center demands continuous & real-time monitoring. The network and system log files must be constantly scanned and report an alert in case of any unusual events.

Zero Trust Architecture
Zero Trust Architecture or Zero Trust depicts security concepts and threat model that doesnÂ’t need the assumption that actors, security systems and services functioning within the security perimeter should be trusted. Instead, anything and everything that is being connected to the systems needs to be verified. The Zero Trust architecture has been designed to restrict all forms of security breaches that can hamper Data CentersÂ’ working.

Global Data Center Security Market
As per an online published report, the global Data Center Security Market was valued at $11.67 billion in 2020 and is forecasted to reach $26.61 billion by 2026. During the forecasted period, i.e., 2020-2026, this market is expected to witness a growth CAGR of 14.91%.

Market Growth Drivers
The growth of this market segment can be attributed to the following reasons-

• The increasing data traffic emerging from a large number of devices is driving the growth of Data Centers. To ensure secure connectivity of user-critical data and confidential information also demands localized (within geographic boundaries of a country) Data Centers.
• A tech company estimates that there has been a significant growth registered in the global Cloud Data Center traffic, rising from 6.0 ZB (in 2016) to 20.6 ZB (in 2021).
• There has been significant growth in the overall number of cyberattacks and data breaches, causing substantial monetary and non-monetary losses to business organizations. This has created an increased demand for data localization, focusing on hosting user data within the Data Center providerÂ’s same geographic boundaries.

Wrapping Up
The security of the Data Center must be considered seriously. Most organizations today are now migrating their critical applications and data to a Cloud Computing infrastructure. This migration to Cloud infrastructure from the traditional, legacy systems can make the Data Centers a soft target for cyberattackers.

Business organizations must carefully compare their real practices against the defined best practices and accordingly make adjustments to ensure complete Data Center security. For any enterprise, a breach in their Data Center is no less than a nightmare, and this is where Data Center providers like ESDS complete security of the data hosted across its Data Center locations. ESDS deploys a 7-layer Security Infrastructure for ensuring advanced, and best-in-class Managed Security.

8

General Cloud Hosting Discussion / Cloud-based DR or Traditional DR – Which is the best Disaster Recovery Plan?

« on: June 03, 2021, 11:07:12 AM »

As the data is increasing, so is the need to protect it. But what if an attack still happens? That is when you need a disaster recovery plan (DR plan). Every organisation should necessarily have an IT disaster recovery plan so that they never fail at business continuity; no matter whether that was a natural or human-made disaster. There are different types of disaster recovery and various disaster recovery solutions. You need to plan your disaster recovery strategy accordingly.

Business people generally get confused between traditional disaster recovery and cloud-based disaster recovery.

The traditional DR consists of duplicating data and applications. This duplication and back-up are either on dedicated servers the storage is either at remote locations or on-premise. For all these things, you would need to employ a competent IT personnel who can test, back-up, and maintain all the infrastructure. As a result, the overheads and expenses would rise for all companies. And if the worst-case scenario happened, then restoring everything from all the back-up devices like CDs, tapes, DVDs and then initialising applications on back-up servers was hectic. The data transfer was definitely had errors and the time of recovery was prolonged like many hours or even days!

But, the picture has changed since the origination of the cloud. Everyone is moving their websites, blogs, and apps on cloud and hence the disaster recovery as well. Instead of spending so much on traditional DR model, people prefer cloud-based disaster recovery model. You can get many benefits with the cloud, like high data resiliency with low cost, minimal recovery time, and pay-per-consume billing model. You get a failover cluster and a regular back-up service. After all, the best services at the lowest possible cost are what we all desire.

Let us check some critical differences between traditional DR vs cloud-based disaster recovery.

Traditional Disaster Recovery Plan

Has a subordinate physical disaster recovery site having extra data centre space, servers and network, plus employees, operational costs for all aspects of site maintenance.

A traditional DR site wakes up only at the time of a disaster or replicating data. One has to go from several disaster recovery plan steps to make such a site up and to run. Setting this site live takes an unavoidably long time and still possess the risk of data loss and business continuity.

There can be a failure in the connectivity of the main site and the DR site, and then manual operations are compulsory to re-start the functions. Of course, this leads to a significant loss in recovering and continuing the business.

Cloud-Based Disaster Recovery Plan

One main benefit of a cloud-based disaster recovery service is that the main data centre location receives the snapshots of the virtual machine (VM). The customers pay only for what they use. The snapshots, off-state application storage, and data synchronisation between the main site and cloud DR site are the things that the client pays for. If a disaster happens, the clients will have to pay for IaaS based infrastructure when the back-ups and snapshots of the main server need to be fetched during failover.

Cloud disaster recovery plan is automated, and the recovery process can be live in seconds or maximum in minutes. Thus, the clients get the best business continuity experience.

You can begin your cloud DR process via just a laptop or any internet-connected device.

For providing DR, virtualised cloud platforms are properly suitable. Ideally, a cloud-based DR doesn’t need a significant resource share to orchestrate between it and the main site. The full-fledged resources run only when an actual disaster happens, and then the client pays for those resources. Automation feature helps in fetching the extra needed resources at the time of disaster detection. Due to this feature, the DRaaS provider can provide you with recovery in minimal time with no data loss and keeps your business going.

The inline benefit of cloud-computing is cost-effectiveness is still seen when peak resource demands get higher. Cloud-based DR, therefore, can provide several advantages as the state of an application is maintained throughout at ultra-low cost in normal conditions and high usage of resources during disaster events. The hampered site can get back-up or additional resources in minutes or sometimes seconds! The security is never compromised when you choose the cloud-based DR. While the traditional DR is tiresome as servers have to be continuously physically available for the load that comes with disasters. Hence, traditional DR sites cause a higher idle capacity and uncontrollable cost-cuttings even through normal operations.

The best DRaaS providers can give you a perfect disaster recovery plan for your organisation with the following advantages –

• Automated feature for managing virtual platforms utilising minimum time for recovery throughout the failover.
• The pay-per-consume feature for lowering costs is always beneficial, especially for SMEs/SMBs
• High flexibility guarantees the transition from low to high resources only when needed
• The back-ups are regular and stored in remote and different geographical locations
• The high cost and hassle of sorting and synchronising the recovered data is reduced to as low as possible.
• Final Thoughts

Concluding this article, you must have got the difference between traditional DR and cloud-based DRaaS. Also, the importance of choosing one of the best disaster recovery solutions from the DRaaS provider cannot be ignored.

9

General Cloud Hosting Discussion / How Different Industries Embrace Cloud Computing?

« on: June 02, 2021, 10:58:10 AM »

Several recent tech reports are pointing towards one fact that cloud computing is gaining popularity across the globe and every industry is in the process to leverage it. Cloud computing is enjoying popularity in various industry domains for business support functions. That era had gone when cloud computing was limited just to the IT functions. Many industries are utilising the power of the cloud, and still figuring out how it could help further with an increasing number of technology options. The combination of cloud with several other technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Internet of Things (IoT), Edge Computing, 5G, etc. will empower almost every industry out there!

A lot of businesses have understood that if they want to succeed in the marketplace with cut-throat competition, then shifting businesses online, i.e., on the cloud is the only way!

In this article, we will see how cloud computing is leveraged in different industries. Let us talk about the regulated sectors first. Regulated means the sectors which are ruled or governed by the laws of government.

Cloud Computing in Regulated Industries
As per different research reports, many regulated industries like insurance and banking sectors were a bit hesitant to expand on the cloud.

Insurance Sector
In this sector, private clouds are usually preferred than public clouds for their optimal security. But, slowly and gradually the trust of insurance sector is getting strong on the potential of the cloud.

Banking Sector
Security has always been the concern of every industry, especially for the banking sector. But later on, the concept of banking community cloud made the banking industry trust the cloud technology. It was conceptualised so that the operations would run according to only banking specific standards. Earlier, the banking sector used cloud only for administrative transactions like file transfer, notes sharing and sending emails.

Government Sector
The government and the Public Sector Units are also from the categories which demand the highest level of security. Although the government projects started coming on the community cloud, higher security standards were still needed. Later the Govt. empanelled and MeitY empanelled cloud came into existence. The standards were set, and according to them, the government community cloud concept became popular.

After the regulated businesses, let’s move on to the unregulated ones which are leveraging cloud computing technology.

Cloud Computing in Unregulated Industries
Both public and private cloud computing techniques are utilised in the businesses which are not that regulated or governed by the government. These are basically service sector industries. So, here are some of the sectors which are harnessing the power of cloud computing and evolving with technologies.

Retail Sector:
Generally, this industry has preferred PaaS or IaaS solutions for implementing cloud solutions. Retailers consider several aspects while deciding which operations they want to deploy on the cloud and which don’t. The aspects usually include availability, vendor maturity, scalability, and of course, security.

Media Industry
How could this industry not be listed here? It is one of the broadest and general businesses which utilises cloud computing’s power. People have access to every content; be it of any form, in many possible ways. The cloud service providers and developers are on their way to enable and improvise a cloud-based method for getting ahead with multi-screen entertainment.

Manufacturing Industry
In this sector, the usage of cloud is for sales, logistics, support operations, customer service, human resources, life cycle administration, product development, and at last, some manufacturing functions and processes.

Deduction from the Article

These were a few industries covered here which have adopted cloud computing technology and learning with their experiences. The adoption of cloud computing will definitely vary from one business to other as per their necessities. Certain features are required by one industry might not be needed by others; while some standard features are a high priority like security and scalability.

10

Miscellaneous / Reduce Cost of Your IT Infrastructure with Colocation

« on: June 01, 2021, 11:49:35 AM »

After using the services like shared or VPS Hosting, when you recognize that requirements of your website are increasing, you start thinking about going for a dedicated server. But, when you think about few of the important factors like Cost, Server Management and Maintenance concerns that restricts you, you do not choose dedicated server hosting.

Handling a web server by your own needs a lot of technical knowledge and skills, hence before you decide to opt for a dedicated server ensure that you have enough technical knowledge or at least a staff to handle the server issues.

Outsourcing the server management tasks may cost too much to you. As an alternative, you can choose a managed dedicated server hosting package. The website hosting provider will ensure that few of the server management services are properly managed and monitored by them.

Even if you think that going for a managed hosting is still not affordable for you, then why not collocate your server in a world class data center and forget worrying about it?

Nowadays, to get rid of server management tasks organizations are using the colocation services for the ease. It is just like keeping your own server in the premises of a data center service provider and allow them to monitor it for you at a low cost. This service is known as Colocation Services.

It is much similar to the managed hosting, where some of the aspects of your web hosting is managed and monitored hourly. Here, you are the one who determine the level of the server management you need. By choosing the management levels you can reduce the setup and maintenance costs.

There are a lot of data center service providers that offers a different colocation service where a server is provided you on rent. Selecting the colocation services for your business is a great way to reduce the downtimes and gain maximum availability of your website. According to the management level, the provider takes care of monitoring and trouble shooting of your server.

The web hosting company providing the colocation service has a well-equipped data center that ensures you to get a high level security for your server. All the factors mentioned above makes colocation services a better sell for organizations, freeing them from the burden of managing their own servers.

Resources:

https://www.esds.co.in/colocation

11

General Cloud Hosting Discussion / How Is IoT Transforming The Business World?

« on: May 31, 2021, 05:01:50 AM »

Internet of Things shortly known as IoT has revolutionized the current era by improving the quality of human lives. The emergence of IoT, aided by robust networking infrastructure and improved capabilities of modern computing appears like a natural advancement. IoT is touted as the next internet since a wide range of hardware and applications shaping Internet of Things ensures the devices are labelled as ‘smart’. According to a recent survey, the worldwide IoT market is likely to grow by 7.1 trillion by 2020. IoT has not only modernized the industrial sectors but has also changed the way we run our business. A businessperson should stay ahead of the ‘consumer’ curve, identify trends before they trend and know the consumer wants before he is aware of it.

Probably the phrase, “data is king” sounds to be true in this digital era. More or less, every trait of our lives today generates data. Internet of Things brings smart devices that track your heartbeats, location and many more. We are emerging into the world of IoT, where these insights benefit each one of us, the customers and product makers. The utility of IoT in the business realm is no different. IoT devices allow recording and transferring data to monitor the critical process, delivering new insights to boost efficiency and enabling the enterprises to make more informed decisions.

Here is how IoT is making a dent in the business world.

1. IoT Driven Inventory Management
IoT data analysis is the building block for improving track and traceability performance and product value. A recent survey says 33% of manufacturers use IoT applications for inventory management. The enterprises using these IoT based inventory management save 18 hours per month and reduce the probability of human error. Every individual item tracked in an inventory management solution centred on IIoT and RFID receives an RFID tag. The unique identification number in each tag encodes digital data about an inventory item.

An IoT driven inventory management architecture can forecast the number of raw materials required for the forthcoming production cycle. It provides real-time updates to the inventory managers, including the flow of raw materials, works in progress and the status and location of finished goods. It sends an alert for a lost inventory item, notifies the need to stock up the materials, etc. It lays a solid foundation to digitalize the manufacturing ecosystem.

2. Productivity and Efficiency
Internet of Things and Industry 4.0 have together revolutionized the manufacturing industry, creating smarter and more data-driven manufacturing processes. Since IoT is making its way onto the production floor, the concerns like low efficiency, lack innovation, time to collect data and high supply chain related costs have today become a thing of past.

IoT sensors in the manufacturing systems are the replacement for human judgements. They monitor the machine performance, generate data to track equipment condition, eliminate line performance bottlenecks and inform when the machines need servicing. This enables the machines and equipment to operate efficiently, leading to higher uptime, lesser scrap and low operating cost. This results in quality and production being augmented.

3. Asset tracking and Waste Reduction
The drive to reduce waste is very much linked to efficiency and productivity. IoT tracking is vital for waste reduction in factories. The asset monitoring IoT platforms are configured to automatically notify the asset location information if it has not moved to the next stage in a stipulated amount of time. IoT makes it possible to monitor the vast amount of assets reducing human errors.

The asset monitoring driven by IoT sensors helps to lower the safety margin in the supply chain.  It can detect the issues ahead in time and help to reduce the defects and the waste, thus saving cost.

4. Skilled Workers
The reality that IoT devices and software need a basic understanding of the technology and ability to interact with it makes it crucial for businesses to look for skilled workers capable of handling the technology efficiently.  An individual who can barely use IoT technology will not only waste time and money but will have a severe negative impact on business productivity.

Companies have also started investing their time and money in training their employees, hiring a new specialist and driving the organization change to digital transformation. Not only the programmers and developers need to be specialized in IoT technology, but the network engineers also need to be updated to connect everything. Also, we need cybersecurity experts to keep the system protected from hackers since every device connected to the internet is vulnerable to cyber threats. If the number of businesses recruiting such individuals to grow, the percentage of inclination towards modern technology will rise, enhancing the value for future endeavours.

The Future Awaits
IoT in the business world is a part of a more comprehensive digital transformation strategy. IoT technology has given us the smart homes and now it is time for smart factories to modernize the business world. A few businesses have already accepted the change to drive the digital transformation in the organization. Such companies will surely witness a higher growth graph soon. The business organizations still sceptical about this driving change will quickly find it difficult to compete in this technology-driven era.

IoT has made businesses more customer focussed than making them product-centric.  It is a value proposition for enterprises since it brings together data and intelligence to deliver innovative ideas for doing business. The data extracted from the sensors and devices across the enterprises in the world enable the business leaders to have in-depth opinions on the customer requirements in a way that was not possible earlier. IoT will soon take this era to a new frontier soon.

12

General Cloud Hosting Discussion / Disaster Recovery for Banks

« on: May 28, 2021, 12:39:37 PM »

It would be quite fundamental to talk about disaster recovery or business continuity plan (BCP) for banks because being in 2019; we have moved on from the utmost importance of these ideas to keep the operations up and running. So we would naturally tend to think that today all banks are prepared for any type of disaster which might occur but sadly that isn’t the truth at all. A considerable number of banks are still not well versed with the importance of DR planning for their essential data and day-to-day processes which can easily take a hit in an event a disaster strikes.

It would be quite fundamental to talk about disaster recovery or business continuity plan (BCP) for banks because being in 2019; we have moved on from the utmost importance of these ideas to keep the operations up and running. So we would naturally tend to think that today all banks are prepared for any type of disaster which might occur but sadly that isn’t the truth at all. A considerable number of banks are still not well versed with the importance of DR planning for their essential data and day-to-day processes which can easily take a hit in an event a disaster strikes.

Disaster Recovery for banks is an unavoidable choice which should be implemented by every bank in India based on the guidelines mandated by the Reserve Bank of India.

To address the concerns of a disastrous event, it is essential to avail services of an IT service provider who will be responsible for providing you with a business continuity plan to handle business outage or system failures and cyber-attacks. Disaster Recovery as a Service (DRaaS) is an optimum solution for banks to take advantage of a cloud computing environment for faster recovery time and restoration of data. It is crucial for banks to make sure that there customer’s data is kept secured and that there is no data loss either. A cloud-based disaster recovery solution is a step further, which provides service availability at all times by offering an affordable and efficient disaster recovery service.

One of the best advantages the banks can have with a cloud-based disaster recovery service is that they do not need to maintain their own data centre. In the banking industry, excellent customer service is very vital and so to provide an uninterrupted service is like gaining a loyal clientele. So preparedness in the event of a disaster is crucial for a bank’s daily operations, customer retention and brand loyalty.

We at ESDS Software Solution would call ourselves the experts because we have witnessed some of the most disastrous situations which our clients from the banking industry had to face as we have literally repurchased them from the dead. To give you an example, I would pick the Dhule Nandurbar District Co-op Banking (DNDCCB) case to sum up the importance of a disaster recovery plan for banks.

DNDCCB is one of the most reputed banks in the co-op banking sector and has always adopted the latest technologies to improve their services. By complying with all the standards set by RBI, DNDCCB validated the DR and BCP plan from ESDS in the event of a disaster. On April 17th 2016, the bank’s head office was caught on fire which housed their data centre and all the critical documents. It was an unfortunate event in the bank’s history, but their decision to opt for a DR plan had paid off because ESDS’ continuous DR drill practices had made sure that all their data was kept safe and up-to-date.

13

General Cloud Hosting Discussion / How Secure is Serverless Computing?

« on: May 27, 2021, 01:23:07 PM »

Serverless cloud computing is a new arena for many enterprises, which makes it difficult for IT professionals for securing it due to lack of decent exposure, and most of the information about it is intended for developers thus making it difficult for the security professional to get a grasp how serverless computing works.

This raises queries for the practitioners like, does the security compare to Virtual machines or containers? What measures can they take to evaluate if their organization is secured enough?

Getting answers to such questions needs an understanding of how the serverless model works, what specific purpose it serves and how an organization can employ and benefit from it.

A developer’s job in serverless is to deploy code without provisioning operating systems, compute instances, etc. and the Infra Operations do not need to be bothered either. The serverless application is dynamically scalable as per the cloud workloads.

Serverless computing is not a sure-fire way to eradicate all traditional security problems, as the code is being executed and this is mostly a potential vulnerability. Let us explore the security aspects which IT Professionals need to keep in mind while working in an organization that is considering serverless computing as their next step.

Few things you have to consider when addressing serverless cloud security. To begin with, this approach makes use of Web-Assembly or JavaScript while using them on the edge, making use cases a necessity but constrained to a specific degree. Because you are probably not going to write thousands of lines JavaScript code for running a legacy funds transfer system interfacing with the back-end mainframe.

Secondly, segmentation is a significant factor to consider in a multi-tenant environment. Segmentation model is essential in multi-tenancy as undermining it could allow customers to access data from other segments. A hypervisor draws the segmentation boundary between multiple virtual OS instances. Container engines like Docker, draw those boundaries at the process level instead of so that multiple processes can run within one operating system instance under the scope of multiple containers.

Isolates push the segmentation boundary further. With Isolates, the segmenting boundary that separates the data and execution state between customers can exist within the single operating system process.

This is neither a good nor a bad thing for security. In recent years, segmentation attacks have been reported that challenge the segmentation models of container engines as well as hypervisors. This does not happen on a regular basis, but it can and occasionally does.

There have been instances of side-channel attacks allowing data leakage across Rowhammer techniques and processes that can possibly cause data manipulation across segmentation boundaries. There is a possibility that such leaks could occur just as they may with any other tech in the multi-tenant context.

It is of utmost importance that customers comprehend segmentation, and combine that understanding with information on the application being developed. You can evaluate usage by systematically analyzing, and usage of the application planned by the organization – E.g. when employing methodology for application threat modeling –, where implementing countermeasures would be appropriate if you need to strengthen the segmentation model and ensure robust application security.

14

General Cloud Hosting Discussion / Cloud Technology becomes more intelligent with AI

« on: May 26, 2021, 12:18:49 PM »

Cloud Technology becomes more intelligent with AI
It is very much clear about the potential of cloud technology and its positive effects on businesses, both huge and small. The cloud technology, no doubt has evolved to a great deal since its inception. One was auto-scaling and to refine it further ESDS eNlight cloud has vertical auto-scaling feature. Emerging trends like IOT, mobile computing, have advanced the cloud computing sector in utilization and need.

AI can play a very major role in cloud computing owing to massive amounts of data stored in it.

IBM, one of the biggest cloud companies out there, states that the fusion of AI and cloud computing “promises to be both a source of innovation and a means to accelerate change.”

Cloud – A Machine Learning Platform
Technology companies create AI which finally can learn. What’s the best source to get information to apply for machine learning? Cloud with loads of information.  Since all formats of data can be saved or hosted on the cloud, there can be developed voice AI, pictorial AI, AI bots which will respond to text eg. message bots.We have many examples like Amazon’s Alexa, Microsoft’s Cortona, Apple’s Siri which respond to voice commands. They are also called virtual assistants.

Still, a lot of work needs to be done in the field of AI where AI is constructed to deal with humans as humans. Cloud is spread across various servers, across various locations with multiple languages loaded with immense data. Technology companies can use this data, effectively, to construct AI then can make conversations, make decisions, give suggestions and make the life of people easy.

AI –Cloud Marriage
A Google event unveiled cloud computing services which would allow any developer or business to use machine learning technologies for development of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

AI uses large volumes of data stored, both structured and unstructured. This data can be utilized for cloud robotics, automation, intelligent actions and machine learning.  Organisations already use AI to its full potential for their benefits.

AI with cloud is not only deploying what organisations have developed so far, but also adding advancements using new cases to study and improvise.  AI is becoming an essential ingredient of business strategy and technology execution. AI pilots can inject intelligence into the other business functions with the help of enterprise cloud.

AI, Cloud and Humans
AI and cloud computing technology are most needed technologies where AI makes human life easy and Cloud makes AI easy. Looking at the possibilities AI can help us get massive amounts of data which can be processed depending on our circle of interest like security, any types of forecasts or even entertainment activities.

In the very beginning humans helped AI when it made mistakes, but now with deep machine learning, AI is proving to be of great help to humans. The co-operation is still strong due to which technology is so advancely developed that it can be applied to any field.

Conclusion
According to Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google Inc., computing is evolving from a mobile-first to an AI-first world. The cloud delivery models of PaaS and SaaS will benefit more due to Cloud –AI wave. AI, machine learning, stored data all bundled together will help humans analyse and utilize it for AI purposes. No sooner will come a day when AI becomes an integral part of our daily lives. After cloud being a major disruption in the technology market, AI is on its path to prove a major face-changer or cloud market worldwide.

15

General Cloud Hosting Discussion / Why is There an Increased Need for ERP Systems in Manufacturing Industry?

« on: May 25, 2021, 09:14:52 AM »

In the present dynamic business scenario, every organization needs perfect synergy between departments, right from input to output. ERP thereby plays a pivotal role in integrating the inter and intra-departmental processes like – billing, production, and supply chain. ERP helps in reducing timelines, enhancing processes and minimizing the cost of operation.

In manufacturing companies, an ERP system allows businesses to gain information at all time without hindering any internal resources and processes. ERP systems provide a better managerial capability for managing the product data.

Market Value of Indian Manufacturing ERP

An online published report states that in the year 2018, the Indian Manufacturing ERP market accounted for $262.7 billion and is estimated to contribute $712.7 billion by the year 2027. During the forecasted period (2019-2027), this market segment is expected to show a contribution growth CAGR of 11.9%.

Manufacturing ERP

During the above-mentioned forecasted period, the positive approach followed for implementing the strict regulatory compliances, and its growing need will be driving the Indian manufacturing ERP market. There are specific challenges as well for the market to grow. These challenges are related to high upfront costs during the implementation process and upgradation.

Segmentation of Indian Manufacturing ERP Market

• India Manufacturing ERP Market is classified into the three major categories, namely- by enterprise size, by deployment type and by end-users.
• In terms of enterprise size, this market is segmented down as- SMEs and Large Enterprises. In the forecasted period, the SME segment is going to witness maximum growth. The same report says that the
• Indian manufacturing market usually consists of nearly 60% SMEs. ERP helps this market segment to rise in the value chain in terms of its market credibility and enhanced confidence between the stakeholders.
• In terms of deployment type, the market is segmented into- Cloud and on-premises. For the deployment type segment, the Cloud segment will show the maximum growth as the cloud services are being used for providing the availability of services at all times with minimum costs.
• In terms of the end-users, this market is segmented as- automotive, consumer electronics, metallurgy, pharmaceuticals, energy, food & beverage, chemicals, retail & garments.

Manufacturing Industry Challenges

There has been an increased demand for an ERP system to address various challenges and issues that the manufacturing industry today faces.

These issues include the following

• Lack of transparency about the availability of raw materials
• There is no proper monitoring of the accounts in manufacturing companies
• Manual intervention often leads to inefficiency and inaccuracy
• The data present at silo database systems often leads to non-uniformity

How ERP Systems Are Deployed in Various Manufacturing Stages

The necessary information of the customer gets fetched into the ERP software that is responsible for managing order solutions. This automated procedure helps every department to keep track of the order progress at every stage and scheduling the tasks.

Supply Chain Management
The supply chain component of an ERP software allows the manufacturers to effectively manage their product flow right from the pre-production stage to the time it reaches the end consumers. It also helps the manufacturers to serve their customers with real-time updates on their orders and the associated costs.

Purchases
The purchasing module in an ERP software works together with the supply chain management and inventory modules. This module helps in managing the procurement of materials by providing comprehensive insights on supplier listing, quotations, purchase orders, stock updates, and other vital processes. This electronic data exchange eases the process of purchase orders and other transactions.

Manufacturing Process
An ERP software helps in aligning the manufacturing processes using automated planning, scheduling and enhancing the speed of manufacturing and accuracy. Modern-day ERP software also has inbuilt support for make-to-stock, make-to-order, configure-to-order, engineer-to-order, just-in-time manufacturing and materials control, and lean operations.

Orders Processing
Post fetching the user information, the processing of automated events takes place, thereby allowing the order process to be monitored and controlled. Once the sales order gets generated, resource allocation initiates raw material procurement from the inventory. The order now reaches the production stage and is guided until the end of the assembly line.

Material Management
An ERP system helps the companies in organizing and categorizing their inventory, monitor the movement of products and provides comprehensive management of warehouse data.

Quality Control
Most of the ERP systems today have in-built quality assurance features. The ERP systems help the manufacturing businesses to manage their quality, capturing the non-compliant as well as corrective measures in a single database. These businesses can perform a complete audit process such as planning, executions, and follow-ups.

Warehouse and Inventory Levels
ERP systems help businesses to optimize their inventory by determining the stock levels. It also facilitates the process of minimizing shortages and reducing delivery costs based on inventory levels.

Significance of ERP Systems in Manufacturing Industry

Automates and Streamlines Business Processes
A complete ERP solution helps in aligning and automating business processes that fuel automation for the business organizations involved in manufacturing. With all the processes getting streamlined, the entire organizationÂ’s data is made available in a centralized location, along with complete transparency across all the departments. ERP systems also help the manufacturing personnel to monitor the production status in real-time without having any dependencies on other teams. An ERP system increases the efficiency in the manufacturing process, enhancing productivity and making the manufacturing organizations compliant to the commitments made to their customers. With automation of the critical processes, the manufacturing companies can also reduce their dependencies on manual processes. The issue related to errors and profitability gets resolved to a great extent.

Quick Responses to Market Conditions
ERP systems provide real-time and rapid analysis of data for the businesses to estimate and plan as per the changing dynamics of the market. The key decision-makers in the manufacturing industry often refer to the reports generated by the ERP system regularly for planning and strategizing their business plans to cater to the variable market demands and encash on their customer behavior trends towards purchases. ERP system reports provide a holistic view to the managers by reducing the errors and capitalize on the upcoming opportunities in the market.

Strategic Decision Making
An ERP solution helps in improving the decision-making process of a manufacturing organization. It gives a comprehensive insight as well as transparency about every department in the organization, helping them with an informed, accurate and faster business-related decisions. ERP systems offer access to key performance areas of an organization by aligning them to their preset goals and carry out the necessary internal decisions if they are needed. Complete transparency of the internal processes along with the departments helps the management to optimize their daily operations.

Lowers Cost
A dynamic and efficient ERP software helps the manufacturing organizations to cut down their overall operational costs since the manual and time-consuming processes are being replaced by automated processes backed with real-time information related to business. An ERP solution also helps in overcoming the additional labor expenses, providing enhanced levels of precision and accuracy with lower error rates to cut-short the unwanted losses. ERP system gives the complete visibility of inventory tracking by eliminating the extra inventory and warehousing costs.

Improves Customer Satisfaction
With accurate planning of production and better control over inventory along proper synchronization between the various distribution channels helps the manufacturers to enhance the on-time delivery of their products to the end customers. The timely delivery of products helps in improving customer satisfaction levels. With ERP systems providing real-time data to the decision-makers, they can get a realistic idea of the inventory at any instance of time.

Concluding Notes

Manufacturing organizations need to address various vital concerns if they are looking to gain a competitive edge in todayÂ’s dynamically changing business ecosystem. With a web-based ERP system deployed in their organization, manufacturing organizations can efficiently address the issue of information fragmentation. An effective ERP system helps in aligning complete business processes and strategies to the various software blocks needed across all functional areas in the business. Lastly, an ERP system acts as a bridge to fill in the gap and enhance integration amongst all functional areas present in the manufacturing industry.