Server Hardware
Server hardware is a big ingredient in the performance and wellbeing of your FileMaker solution. Do you have a handle on exactly what to purchase? How much RAM, processor and hard drive do you need? Which brand of computer? Which platform? Who will warrantee it? What are the IT costs associated with purchasing, installing and configuring your own server? Do you have expertise on how to virtualize your server if you go that route? How long will it take to set up? The hassles and effort to setup hardware is one of the most popular reasons people choose to host with a provider instead of on their own.
Installation/Configuration Expertise
When was the last time you configured FileMaker Server software? Do you the expertise to configure it for the maximum performance and protection? This is often better done by your hosting provider who works with the server software on a daily basis.
FileMaker Server Software Licensing
You don’t need to purchase FileMaker Server Software. If you were to have your own server, you’d be responsible for the yearly purchase and maintenance of the FileMaker server software as well. If you host your solution, the FileMaker licensing is included as part of the hosting cost and many times less than what you’d pay for the server licensing alone.
Backups
You don’t need to worry about being responsible for your own backups. Will your backups be monitored to perform reliability and religiously? Do you have off-site backups? If so, did you figure that into the cost? With Productive Computing Hosting, your backup is delivered to you nightly with the convenience of a Dropbox link. We also store 4 years' worth of backups for you at no additional charge! Direct access to the FileMaker Server Admin Console and the ability to setup and configure your own server side scripts at no extra charge.
Bandwidth
One of the biggest factors in the speed of a FileMaker solution is the upload bandwidth from the server. The cost to purchase a large upload pipe is extreme for an individual business (many hundreds of dollars per month). Since a hosting provider hosts your files at a data center, large upload speeds are part of the benefit of hosting and included in the cost.
Uptime/Availability
Do you have a proper server room that is protected and monitored 24/7? FileMaker hosting providers use data centers that typically provide 99.95% uptime/availability and top level security.
Security
Firewall configuration and security is a necessary part of the FileMaker setup. In most cases, this means getting your IT expert involved. None of this is required when you host with a provider.
Server Maintenance
As with anything in the software world, patches and updates will be required for both the operating system as well as FileMaker Server software itself. Staying on top of this is extremely important. At Productive Computing, we monitor and test the latest software patches and proactively update OS and FileMaker patches balancing uptime and security.
Protection
With your own server comes the responsibly of dealing with virus protection, hackers, SPAM, and Malware. Unique to Productive Computing, we host FileMaker files on OS X based Unix servers which are considered by most to be the safest environment to prevent viruses and malware.
Encryption
If you plan to use Web Direct, we recommend encrypting the data between the browser and the server. At Productive Computing we install secure certificates for all our Filemaker 13 (and above) servers for you at no extra charge so you have the peace of mind without the expense and configuration worry of installing and maintaining your own secure certificate.