Searching for an IBM i Cloud Hosting Provider

Here are some tips for searching for an IBM i Cloud Hosting Provider:

• Make sure you go with a IBM i Cloud provider with an established track record and software expertise.

How long have they been providing IBM i Cloud Services?

First Option has been providing IBM i Hosting in the Cloud since 1999

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About First Option

• Get at least three different quotes. This is always good business practice and will help you determine the level of service you require.

Ideally the company will have a questionnaire that you can fill out to determine your exact needs.

Also, consider your hardware growth requirements and the number of interactive users you may have in the future.

Do you have remote users?

What IBM licensed programs will you require?

Do you have remote users who will need connections? Make sure your vendor can handle this.

• Carefully review the data center where your data will be hosted.

Is it SSAE-16 compliant?

Is it Physically Secure?

Does it have onsite redundant power?

What kind of Infrastructure and Backbone is in place?

Does your vendor have a strategic business partner relationship with the data center or are they a customer renting space?

Info on Data Center

Case Study Regarding Partnership with MindSHIFT

Ideally, get a tour of the data center, not only is it very interesting, but you will feel secure in your decision after touring a few and comparing what they have to offer. Many data centers also have virtual tours and interactive maps of their data centers if you cannot travel to them.

• Make sure your vendor has a Service Level Agreement.

Service Level Agreement

• Determine if you need an IBM i Cloud shared environment or Dedicated.

Below are some of the advantages of each.

Shared

Dedicated

• Is your Vendor a hardware and software provider or just a hardware vendor? Do they have a partnership with the data center they use?

• Are you being charged for monitoring software? And what kind of monitoring software are they using. Is it GUI based with a centralized system?

IBM i Watchdog by First Option

If you have any questions or would like some additional information please email tfuller@localhost.