Cloud cover for Yorkshire’s small businesses

The new server network was set up by Integral IT’s managing director Jonathan Edwards, who became frustrated when he couldn’t find a reputable and cost-effective cloud computing solution for his smaller business clients.

Cloud computing provides companies with secure software, data management, emails and storage so they don’t have to deal with lots of different contracts.

While bigger companies are catered for by big server providers, Mr Edwards discovered a gap in the market for his smaller clients and so set up the “Yorkshire Cloud”.

He said it would provide transparent fixed-cost server hosting for smaller businesses that find themselves below the entry level of the larger cloud computing service providers.

“The cloud is a great concept that is transforming the way large corporates manage hosting and data, but we found smaller and medium-sized customers couldn’t get the same benefits as bigger firms with thousands of desks,” said Mr Edwards.

“It’s reassuring for smaller organisations to have people they know managing their data in servers here in the UK, so that everything is more accountable.”

Harrogate-based Integral IT will provide hosting on dedicated secure servers in Yorkshire.

The company said it guarantees reliability levels and fixed rates for businesses that are as small as five desks.

Services range from simple email hosting packages to full desktop hosting, replacing the need for large investment in servers and hardware.

“With great infrastructure here in Yorkshire we are able to offer customers a service that means they know where their data is held, how much it is going to cost every month and who will look after them if there are any issues to resolve,” said Mr Edwards. “In the age of call centres and global web businesses, it is reassuring to smaller firms, who depend on their IT for survival, to know they have a reliable and accountable provider that is also local.”