Released on = December 2, 2005, 1:24 am

Press Release Author = Fasthosts

Industry = Computers

Press Release Summary = Fasthosts reports that in-house servers are risky and cost
ineffective, yet remain the number one choice for SMEs

Press Release Body = Small to medium size UK businesses are wasting money every day
and putting the future of their business in jeopardy through old fashioned computing
practices, which are costing them £18 billion annually. This is the conclusion of
the Server Solutions Study by Fasthosts, the UK\'s largest independent hosting
company ( http://www.fasthosts.co.uk )

Fasthosts conducted a study into server computing solutions in SME businesses. It
examined the basic solutions needed to set up a server securely in-house in
comparison to using hosted services. The study revealed that many small businesses
in the UK host their server in-house because of the out-dated belief that this
allows maximum access and security. Following an examination of the SME server
computing environment, the opposite was found to be the case, as hosting a server
within the company premises requires careful consideration and preparation.

Analysis revealed that the minimum requirements for SMEs running a server in-house
are a power failure system to ensure the server can be shut down safely in case of
an emergency; SDSL internet connection for maximum upload speed; a remote control
card for access to the server from outside the office; a firewall for security and
additional considerations such as air conditioning; physical security and remote
back up. The study found that the cost for these quickly add up and on an ongoing
basis impact the bottom line. (Source: National Statistics and Fasthosts\' Server
Solutions Study, 2005)

However, when these systems are not in place, the future of any small business can
be at risk. Especially small businesses in London have a very low three-year
survival rate at 62.8% in contrast to Northern Ireland (72.4%), Wales (86%) and
Scotland (65.3%) (Source: Confederation of British Industry, 2005).

\"In our experience many businesses are still stuck in 1980s computing mentality,\"
comments Andrew Michael, CEO of Fasthosts. \"They need to move and embrace new
computing practices. It is impossible to put value on data so it needs to be kept
under maximum security - data is the lifeblood of any business. Only a hosted
environment offers the required security solutions in a cost effective bundle,
however the SME market remains largely ignorant of this.\"

Fasthosts carried out the Server Solution Study to analyse its dedicated server
offering and ensure it matches the needs of the marketplace. Fasthosts offers
hosted services for servers in a highly secure, air conditioned datacentre in the
UK. The hosted servers can be set up instantly online and come with a private LAN,
easy to use control panel, full remote control and firewall. An SDSL connection can
be added as well as secure database hosting.

The Server Solutions Study was carried out in November 2005 and examined the costs
of essential solutions needed to host a server securely and safely in-house versus
hosting it at a remote data centre. The study examined the UK SME server computing
environment, including all factors essential to secure maximum uptime and the
security of business critical data. Key solutions examined included air
conditioning, SDSL, UPS, firewall, remote control card which are provided by most
hosting providers as part of a standard hosting package.

* * * * * * * * * *

About Fasthosts:

Fasthosts is the UK\'s largest independent hosting company. Based in the UK, and
operating 24x7 from their dedicated UK data centres, Fasthosts keeps over one
million domains running smoothly and ensures over six million emails are delivered
safely each day. All Fasthosts services can be self-managed through the award
winning Fasthosts web-based control panel, enabling customers to set up and manage
new websites, email accounts, databases, and other hosted services online.

Fasthosts was voted the number one webhost by tophosts.com in September 2005; won
the Web Host Directory "ecommerce webhosting award" and was also announced as the
best dedicated server package in August 2005 by HostReview.

Web: http://www.fasthosts.co.uk


Contact details:

For any press enquiries, please contact:
Elke Panzner or Sarra Mander at Rainier PR
Tel. + 44 (0) 207494 6570



Web Site = http://www.fasthosts.co.uk

Contact Details = Online distribution enquiries:

Rachel Lane

E-mail: rachel@bigmouthmedia.com

Website: http://www.bigmouthmedia.com