Navigating Server Hosting Platform Refresh: Options and Benefits
Consolidate, Refactor, Migrate
As hardware and server operating systems approach their end-of-life milestones, organisations must decide the best path forward for refreshing their server hosting platforms. Several factors may influence this decision, including increased costs of third-party hypervisors, unreliable hardware, and the need for improved efficiency and scalability.
As a Microsoft partner, INTEGY provides a comprehensive range of solutions tailored to meet the needs of both technical teams and financial stakeholders.

Assessing Current Server Workloads
The first step in refreshing server hosting platforms is to assess the current server workloads. This involves identifying which applications and services are critical, which can be consolidated, and which can be transitioned to modern cloud services.
- Consolidation: By consolidating server workloads, businesses can reduce the number of physical servers, leading to lower hardware costs, reduced energy consumption, and simplified management.
- Migration to SaaS and PaaS: Transitioning from traditional server-based applications to Software as a Service (SaaS) or Platform as a Service (PaaS) can offer significant benefits. For instance:
- SCCM to Intune: Moving from System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) to Microsoft Intune provides a cloud-based solution for device and application management, reducing the need for on-premises infrastructure.
- Windows Update Server to Azure Update Manager: Azure Update Manager offers a scalable, cloud-based solution for managing updates, eliminating the need for dedicated on-premises update servers.
Migrating Server Workloads to Azure
For workloads that cannot be transitioned to SaaS or PaaS, migrating to Microsoft Azure provides a robust public cloud solution with numerous benefits:
- Scalability: Azure allows businesses to scale resources up or down based on demand, ensuring that they only pay for what they use.
- Security: Azure offers advanced security features, including identity and access management, encryption, and threat detection, ensuring that data and applications are protected.
- Cost Management: Azure provides tools to monitor and manage costs effectively, helping businesses optimize their cloud spending.
- High Availability and Redundancy: Azure ensures high availability and redundancy with its global network of data centers, reducing the risk of downtime.
Technical Implementation
- Assessment and Planning: Evaluate current workloads and plan the migration strategy.
- Data Migration: Use Azure Migrate or similar tools to move data and applications to Azure.
- Testing and Validation: Ensure that all migrated workloads function correctly in the Azure environment.
- Optimisation: Continuously monitor and optimise performance and costs.
Hosting on-premises with Azure Stack HCI
For businesses that require on-premises solutions due to regulatory, latency, or specific business requirements, Azure Stack HCI offers a compelling alternative:
- Azure Integration: Azure Stack HCI integrates seamlessly with Azure services, enabling hybrid cloud scenarios.
- High Performance: Provides high-performance, hyper-converged infrastructure with built-in storage and compute capabilities.
- Cost Efficiency: Reduces costs associated with traditional data centers by consolidating infrastructure and simplifying management.
Technical Implementation
- Hardware Selection: Choose certified hardware for Azure Stack HCI.
- Deployment: Set up the Azure Stack HCI cluster and configure networking.
- Workload Migration: Migrate workloads to the Azure Stack HCI environment.
- Management and Monitoring: Use Windows Admin Center and Azure services for ongoing management and monitoring.
Financial Considerations
- Cost Savings: Moving to cloud or hybrid solutions can lead to significant cost savings by reducing the need for on-premises hardware, lowering energy consumption, and minimising maintenance costs.
- Operational Efficiency: Cloud solutions often lead to increased operational efficiency, allowing IT teams to focus on strategic initiatives rather than routine maintenance tasks.
- Predictable Pricing: Azure’s pay-as-you-go pricing model provides predictable costs, helping businesses manage their budgets more effectively.
Conclusion
Refreshing server hosting platforms involves evaluating current workloads, consolidating where possible, and transitioning to modern cloud solutions such as Azure or Azure Stack HCI. These solutions offer scalability, security, and cost efficiencies that benefit both technical teams and financial stakeholders.
At INTEGY, we provide comprehensive connectivity services to support your transition, ensuring a seamless and efficient migration to modern server hosting platforms. For more information, contact us at:
Phone: 01392 796525
Email: ask@integy.co.uk
Call us today on 01392 796525 or Email us at ask@integy.co.uk
