Digital Transformation is rewriting the fundamental principles of the business world and is more than just a buzzword. It has a wide-ranging impact on the industry, creating both opportunities and challenges. In the area of marketing, especially, digital transformation can bring about some exciting and profitable changes for those who are on this journey.

We are all aware that digital has transformed the marketing approach, and agencies are rapidly changing their business models to adapt. M&C Saatchi, who has been making waves in the advertising industry since 1995, is one such company that is firmly on the path to success in their journey of digital transformation.

Early in this process, M&C Saatchi made the decision of choosing one of the
leading providers of ERP software for their organization – Oracle NetSuite. M&C Saatchi
was well aware that by implementing the right ERP solution, they could successfully
assimilate emerging technologies, and the digitization process would be much easier.
Using the right ERP system meant opening the door to greater efficiencies and
opportunities for innovation.

M&C Saatchi went through their implementation process with a Netsuite partner. NetSuite SuiteSuccess implementations generally aim to go-live in a 90-day period, during which the product is configured according to business processes. Tvarana started working with M&C Saatchi in 2018 for NetSuite post-implementation support services following their ERP implementation.

Achieving a Global Go-live with Tvarana

Go-live is a pivotal moment in ERP implementation; one where the efforts of the preceding days pay off, but also where incipient problems may surface. It is merely the starting point for a robust ERP system, with the considerable ongoing effort required for building a framework that is not just stable, but also efficient.

Tvarana encourages customers to go-live with their implementation as soon as possible to
maximize ROI. With the go-live being a major milestone in an ERP project, scheduling and
testing at every stage are integral to its success.

Following their go-live in the UK with their implementation partner, M&C Saatchi was able to independently execute the same process in the US and Singapore with the support of Tvarana. Thanks to Tvarana’s involvement in the process, M&C Saatchi went live globally in a more efficient and cost-effective manner.

Systems Analysis and Post-Implementation Requirements

During the course of their implementation, M&C Saatchi had several requirements that were not part of their original scope-of-work. Requirements that had been fulfilled were at varying stages of completion, with some having been tested, and others not. Testing is the heart of a successful go-live and should be conducted at regular points during the process.

At the beginning of their engagement, Tvarana conducted a thorough systems analysis in
order to chalk out all business requirements for M&C Saatchi. Once Tvarana had made an
accurate account of all requirements, and the completion time had been estimated, a plan was
put in place for systematically addressing and fulfilling each and every requirement on the
list. Additionally, Tvarana ensured that each requirement was thoroughly tested and up and
running.

The project, which hinged on a successful post-implementation strategy, was completed at a 1⁄4 of the cost of what other service providers offered. In this case, it was proven how critical post-implementation support services are to the success of an ERP implementation. M&C Saatchi was able to achieve a lot more within their budget by partnering with Tvarana.

Expense Management and File Storage Problem

Expense management is a crucial process for every business and should be tracked within a digital environment. To begin with, M&C Saatchi was using NetSuite for its expense management needs. However, with close to 600 employees uploading receipts, they quickly hit their 10 GB file storage limit on NetSuite, and going beyond that would be an expensive proposition. As a solution, M&C Saatchi switched to SkyDoc, a Suiteapp designed by Tvarana for unlimited cloud storage. SkyDoc helped M&C Saatchi to expand on their existing NetSuite file storage at a reasonable price-point.

SkyDoc enhances Netsuite’s storage capabilities by integrating seamlessly with Amazon S3. Scalable, cost-effective, and secure, SkyDoc is the complete storage solution for NetSuite users.

With SkyDoc, M&C Saatchi can now drag and drop files, sort documents by categories, preview files, add and delete files, and have control of their versioning, effectively streamlining their file-sharing processes.

SkyDoc allows M&C Saatchi to create folder structures and restrict access based on IP, role, or users. SkyDoc provides a portal for authorized people outside of their NetSuite environment to view, upload, and collaborate on documents. In essence, M&C Saatchi can create a highly secure and efficient collaborative environment using SkyDoc.

An automated approval workflow is triggered when users upload a document to SkyDoc. This workflow makes the approval process easy and straightforward. The dashboard or email reminders notify users of pending documents.

GDPR Compliance

As of May 2018, new privacy law has come into effect in the European Union (EU) called the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). ERP users were faced with the issue of NetSuite not being GDPR compliant. Compliance with GDPR mandates enhanced customer data visibility within ERP systems so that all private data can be found and removed on request. Tvarana was able to solve this issue and help M&C Saatchi with its GDPR compliance. In addition to expanded storage capabilities, SkyDoc which is built on the NetSuite platform is GDPR and SOX compliant as a result of its integration with Amazon AWS S3.

Having fulfilled all requirements, Tvarana is extremely proud to have successfully provided its
services to a large global customer. M&C Saatchi’s ERP system is now fully integrated, GDPR
compliant and has unlimited document storage, made possible through SkyDoc.

About Tvarana

Tvarana is a NetSuite Consulting Firm that has deep expertise in cloud-based enterprise applications, with a focus on Managed Services. Founded in 2007, Tvarana is a NetSuite SDN partner with 9 apps listed on Suiteapp.com. They have successfully completed over 500 projects involving customization, cloud integration, and app development.

With NetSuite implementations being targeted at an aggressive 90-day completion period,
wherein the product is configured to your business, there is not much room left for product
customization or other enhancements. Tvarana’s end-to-end managed services offerings can
help your business reach its post-implementation goals.

The post M&C Saatchi Pushes the Envelope with Tvarana appeared first on ERP News.

Working on starting a consultancy business online? Have a product or an app that you want to sell online? If so, you’re probably thinking the next step is to build a website. But building a website is not a one-day process. On the contrary, it takes time to create a website that looks great and works properly on all devices.

If only there was a way to build excitement around your new business before your launch. Well, that’s exactly what a coming soon page can help you with. So, read on as we explain what a coming soon page is, how to quickly create yours, and tips to use it to attract prospects before the launch of your website.

What is a coming soon page and why you need one?

A coming soon page (also referred to as an “under construction” page) is a temporary page on your website that gives visitors a sneak peek at what’s coming while helping you to build a list of early adopters who are interested in your offering.

Here’s a simple example from Superlist, an upcoming team productivity app.

Source

These types of temporary pages as great to use because you have the opportunity to kickstart your online promotion, spark interest, and attract leads while you’re working to finalise building your product or website.

Here are some other reasons you should use a coming soon page:

• To set expectations. There are lots of site owners that not only tell people when the website will be launched but also what to expect. So this is a great opportunity to introduce your business or product to potential customers.
• To test your messaging. It’s not easy to figure out the words to use to get people excited about your offer and to compel them to take action. So use this as an opportunity to test the words you’re using to present your offer.
• To generate leads. You can use your coming soon page to build an email list of interested prospects and communicate with them before, during, and after you launch your new business.
• To get visibility in the search engines. You can get a head start on SEO (search engine optimisation) by optimising your one-page website with relevant keywords.

How to create an effective coming soon page

Since this is a single page and not an entire website, you can get your coming soon page online in less than a few hours. In fact, if you’ve bought a domain with 123 Reg, you can use our Website Builder Starter package to get your one-page site live and start generating leads today.

(If you don’t yet have a domain registered with 123 Reg, you can search for a domain name here.)

To set up your one-page website, go to the domain management section in your 123 Reg control panel. Next, fill in some information about your industry, business, and website, and then decide how you’d like it to look. This post walks you through the three simple steps to setting up your one-page website with Website Builder Starter.

Just like with any product page or landing page, your coming soon page needs to include a few key elements to get people excited enough to sign up for your mailing list. These elements include:

• A clear value proposition. What’s the core benefit of your product or business and how is it going to help make a difference to people’s lives?
• A prominent and powerful call-to-action button. Learn more about creating persuasive calls-to-action.
• A high-quality photo or video of yourself, your team, or your product.

Here’s an example of a coming soon page from Haptic, an action-based journal app for iPhone, that has all of these elements.

Source

How to use it to market your new business

Here are the easiest and most effective ways to use a coming soon page to promote your new business.

Optimise it to gain visibility in the search engine results

A temporary page that’s properly optimised for search engines can help you get a boost in the search results even before you launch your website. This allows your business to get found when potential customers are looking up similar products or businesses on Google. Even if you’re not yet ready to sell, you can still let people know you’re launching soon and maybe even get them to sign up to get notified when you do.

The key steps here are to add a meta description and a title tag that include relevant keywords. If you have images on your page, make sure to also add an alt tag for each image. The alt tag acts as a short description of an image and it can also be a great place to use your keywords and help increase your chances of showing up in image search results. You can find more information about each of these SEO elements in step 4 of this article about the SEO first steps for a new website.

Keep interested prospects in the loop

Most coming soon pages include a sign-up box that encourages visitors to leave their email address to get early access to the product, or other exclusive offers and information.

This is an effective technique to capture an audience of potential customers. So, not only do you build an email list of people who are interested in your offer but you can also use those emails to communicate with them before and after you launch your business.

It’s a fantastic opportunity to keep in touch with prospects, build trust and a relationship as you tell them more about your upcoming business and how you can help them achieve their goals. It’s also a good way to ensure people remember you when launch day rolls around.

To entice more visitors to join your email list, you can also try offering an incentive like early access to the product, free access for a month, early bird pricing, or exclusive discounts.

Encourage visitors to spread the word

If some people visiting your site like your business idea, the chances are their friends might too. So why not encourage them to share it with their friends via email or social media? Add some social and email sharing icons to make it easy for visitors to share your page with others.

Just like with the previous step, you can also offer some discounts, freebies, or rewards to encourage people to share your page with others.

Wrapping up

Not every business needs a coming soon page. But when you take a look at all the benefits of having one before launching a proper website, it might be worth a try. So, consider if a coming soon page is right for your new business as you prepare for the real deal.

The post Why (and how to) use a coming soon page to promote your new business appeared first on Better business online: Tips, insight and advice.

Have you experienced a malicious attack on your website in the last 12 months?

In 2019, there were an estimated 1.473 billion data breaches that resulted in over 164 million sensitive records exposed. Many of these were from well-known companies like Marriott, Capital One, Facebook, and Instagram.

Larger companies are often targeted for obvious reasons — they have access to more customer information like email addresses and credit card numbers.

But it’s not just large companies that are targeted. Hackers are increasingly targeting smaller companies simply because their security is easier to break. Many don’t have the resources to secure their networks or they neglect to keep their software up-to-date.

Before we look at how to secure a website, let’s look at why it needs to be a priority if it isn’t already.

Why Does Website Security Needs to Be a Priority?

An estimated 30,000 websites are hacked every single day.

If your website isn’t protected, you could be unknowingly distributing malware or giving hackers access to sensitive information about your customers.

Here’s how a compromised website can affect your company:

It Affects Your Reputation

Consumers don’t take lightly to having their sensitive data stolen.

70% of consumers indicate that they would stop doing business with companies that have experienced a data breach. A breach indicates that a company hasn’t done enough to protect customer data.

Experiencing a data breach can have a negative impact on how customers perceive your company. They may even choose to take their business elsewhere.

It Affects Your Search Rankings

Google actively takes steps to protect its users from malicious websites. If your website has been hacked or contains malware, Google displays the following warning and restricts visitors from entering:

(Image Source)

Rather than risk getting their computer infected, most visitors will click the back button, which means your search traffic will suffer.

Google is consistently testing your page against dozens or even hundreds of potential competitors. This is a critical process in which they analyze both content strength and security.

That’s not all either — Google has removed more than 80% of hacked websites from its search results in an effort to fight spam. If your site gets hacked and you don’t fix it immediately, you risk getting your site completely removed from Google’s search index.

It Affects Your Revenue

An insecure website ultimately affects your bottom line.

Consumers are wary of sharing sensitive information online. If your website doesn’t instill trust, visitors will hesitate to buy. They don’t want to risk their personal data being exposed.

96% of people use search engines for legal advice. If your website is taken down, you won’t be found in Google for your target keywords and you’ll lose a major traffic source.

Bottom line: Website security matters more than ever. And taking it seriously can give your business a competitive advantage online.

Let’s look at how to safeguard your website and protect your customer data.

How to Secure a Website

Every company is a potential target, which means you need to take a proactive approach to securing a website. Here’s how to secure a website:

1. Install an SSL Certificate

Trust is critically important on the web. Users are less likely to interact with sites that have lax security measures.

An SSL certificate is a type of digital certificate that creates an encrypted connection between a web server and a browser. It provides authentication, meaning the information you send is being directed to the right server and not to a hacker.

An SSL certificate also protects your customers. It ensures that all their personal data is sent over a secure network.

Browsers like Safari and Chrome display a lock icon for secure sites in the address bar. Have a look at the example below on the BloomCU website — you can see by the lock in the address bar that the site uses an SSL certificate to secure their data:

(Image Source)

The lock icon instills trust as visitors know that their connection is secure. And existing customers feel confident knowing that the company is taking steps to protect their information.”

An SSL certificate costs about $50 a year and takes a few hours to approve. Once everything is set up, your visitors can securely access your site.

In addition to general security, SSL has compounding benefits to your site speed and reputability.

According to Ardent Growth, one of the key benefits of an SSL is that it uses HTTP/2, increasing site speed while simultaneously securing data.

That means that customers will have a more secure interaction with your site while experiencing faster site speeds, which is a win-win scenario.

2. Keep Your Software Updated

More businesses are using platforms like WordPress to power their websites — they’re easy to use and provide a ton of functionality. You can create a full-fledged website in an afternoon even if you don’t have much technical experience.

But the fact that WordPress has so many installations also makes it a target for hackers. If your software is not up-to-date, you’re putting your business and customers at risk.

Hackers target vulnerabilities found in older versions of software. Make sure to update to the latest software to patch all security holes.”

Be sure to also update your plugins as they’re the largest source of vulnerabilities in WordPress:

(Image Source)

Having too many plugins can not only slow down performance, but also opens up your site to more potential attacks. Only install those plugins that are absolutely essential and remove those you aren’t using.

3. Enforce Strong Passwords

One of the most common ways that hackers steal sensitive information is through brute force attacks — checking all possible passwords until they guess correctly.

Strong passwords are important as they act as a first line of defense. They make it harder for hackers to gain unwanted access to an account.

But despite the prevalence of data breaches, a survey conducted by Avast found that 83% of users have weak passwords. They don’t include all of the following in their passwords: numbers, uppercase and lowercase letters, and special characters.

Many users also don’t create passwords that are at least 10 characters long and more than half use the same password for multiple online accounts.

Suggest ways for users to set up a strong password when they create a new account. You can even take it a step further by setting minimum password strength requirements.

4. Schedule Website Security Audits

No matter how vigilant you are, things can pass through the cracks — you might forget to update your software or renew your SSL certificate.

Conducting regular security audits allows you to identify and address vulnerabilities before hackers take advantage of them.

Use a tool like the Sucuri SiteCheck scanner to quickly scan the contents of your site for malware, viruses, and malicious code. The tool also checks for site errors and out-of-date software.

Simply enter your URL and click the “Scan Website” button. After a few moments, you’ll see the following:

This particular site is using an outdated version of WordPress. Down the page, we can see that the site is free of malware and injected spam, but other issues were detected:

Address any issues that the tool detects on your site immediately. Make it a habit to run security audits at least on a weekly basis.

Don’t overlook the comments section of your site. Comment spam not only impacts the overall user experience, but could even comprise your customers. Unsuspecting visitors could click on links that lead to malicious sites.

Use SEO tools to audit spam on your website and take steps to remove them. There are also WordPress plugins available that do a great job at filtering comment spam.

5. Choose Secure Web Hosting

Cheap web hosting may save you money in the short-term. But it could end up costing you in the long-term if your provider doesn’t offer basic security features.

Choose a web hosting provider that offers 24/7/365 network monitoring and firewall protection to block any known threats. The provider you choose should also have top-notch 24/7/365 customer support that’s ready to assist should any issues arise, day or night.

6. Consider Cloud Migration

Your customers trust your business with their data. It’s up to you to ensure that their data is safe.

One solution is with cloud migration — transferring on-premise data to the cloud. Storing data in the cloud offers a secure environment for customer data.

Cloud providers build their storage solutions to meet strict industry standards and government regulations, making them safer than data centers. A number of cloud providers also have built-in security monitoring and data backups.

7. Hire Security Experts

Taking a proactive approach is important for website security. That means installing an SSL certificate, updating your software, and scanning your site for malware.

Updating WordPress to the latest version is easy enough. But what if there are other security issues with your site? It’s best to let the pros handle those issues.

There are many companies that provide website security solutions. They regularly scan your site and immediately address any vulnerabilities. Many also provide detailed audits, so you know how they’re keeping your business safe.

You can also use platforms like Toptal to work with accredited freelancers who specialize in security. Toptal has a strict vetting process to ensure that you’re working with qualified experts.

Make Time to Focus on Website Security

The importance of website security cannot be stressed enough. A hacked site could harm your company’s reputation and put your customers at risk.

Show your customers that you take security threats seriously by implementing the measures outlined here. They can also help your business gain a competitive advantage over those that aren’t prioritizing security.

The post 7 Ways to Boost Website Security For Customers in 2020 appeared first on Liquid Web.

Liquid Web’s HR Director on engines, connection, and the source of her work ethic.

Misty Combs has a passion for people, animals, and engines. “I like the adrenaline rush of riding motorcycles and snowmobiles. I love driving drag cars, autocross cars, and off-road trucks,” she says. “I never want to miss an opportunity for an adventure because I was too afraid to try.”

Growing up on a farm in Owosso, Michigan, Combs had plenty of opportunity to get her hands dirty and learn the value of hard work. It was on the farm that Combs developed a love for tinkering. Wrenching on anything with an engine, she says, gave her the opportunity to learn how things work. “I also had the chance to see how investing time, talent, and patience allows something special to grow.”

Though she no longer lives on the farm in Owosso, Combs attributes her confidence to her father and grandfather. Both had high expectations but were willing to invest their time and talent to teach all that they could and to support her interests, including anything mechanical. Combs now applies this same sort of attention to her work as Liquid Web’s HR Director. “I do my best to encourage others, or to have bigger dreams for them than they have for themselves. I want to make a difference for the people around me; I want to see them do something amazing,” she says. And just like engines “sometimes you hear sass, but hopefully when you’re done fixing and they talk back, it’s all turbo flutter and squealing tires”.

Misty Combs’ path to tech was not a straight one, having spent fifteen years of her working life in manufacturing. She took an opportunity to work for a medical technology company before being recruited to join the Liquid Web team six years ago. “Being a woman who loves engines, I know I am an oddity in most places, but I don’t feel that way at Liquid Web. From the beginning, Liquid Web was so different from other companies,” she says. “I love the culture. It’s accepting and supportive of the things that make individuals unique and different. And that is my motto in life: accept and embrace people even if you don’t understand. I feel lucky and very proud to be part of the Liquid Web family.”

It is rewarding, then, for Combs to spend her time supporting employees, leadership, and the Liquid Web community at large. “What I think makes Human Resources at Liquid Web different from many other companies is that we are not the “NO!” department. We really strive to be a good partner to those who depend on us. We want to support employees and help them succeed.”

Work looks slightly different for Combs in this time of social distancing. “I miss our employees. I’m a hugger, so not having my daily hugs and human interaction has been difficult for not only myself, but for some other employees as well,” says Combs. “Liquid Web became a welcoming escape for some. Even though most employees are introverted, the office was our extended family.” Nowadays, her coworkers are a bit more hairier. Combs still gets daily hugs from her three canines in her remote office. Virtual hugs do happen with the Liquid Web Virtual events hosted for employees to help everyone stay together and feel connected while working apart.

In addition to loving the culture of Liquid Web, Combs’ favorite thing about working in a tech company is being surrounded by intelligent and interesting people. “Our CEO Jim Geiger uses the term ‘tech-venturists’,” she says. “I love getting to work with people who are smart, creative, curious, and passionate. They care about what they do, the customers they serve, the company where they work, and the community where they live.” It’s a field, she says, where you really can succeed if you are curious and willing to put in the time to invest in yourself. But it is also an industry where people are willing to share their knowledge to help another so they can also succeed.

Combs takes pride in her part in this shared passion for growth. “I’ve been lucky enough to mentor others and help them to achieve their career goals,” she says. She notes that mentors are invaluable for offering learning and development opportunities, preparing for promotions, and sharing leadership opportunities. “I am fortunate to have had some incredible people in my life, both personally and professionally. I grew up with a lot expected of me, and a willingness to work my tail off. In my career, I’ve been able to work with smart and talented people who were willing to invest in me. I don’t want to miss a chance to create an opportunity for someone else.”

Growing up, Combs spent a lot of time with her grandparents, who imparted a great deal of the work ethic that she now attributes to her success. “When they spoke of anyone, they described their work ethic, their care and concern for their family, and their contribution to their community. I want to be someone they would have described positively on all of those fronts,” she says.

Combs is eager to extend her passion for helping others to women and young girls considering careers in technology. “Successful women in technology are creating opportunities and a more welcoming environment for those that follow,” she says. And though she is not in a tech role at Liquid Web, she encourages young people to be curious, take chances to try new things, and find their passion. Curiosity, she says, is one of the best traits for those who pursue careers in technology.

“It’s a time of exceptional change,” she says. “Liquid Web has a collaborative environment. To me, the most exciting things we’re working on impact culture and allow people to feel more connected. In the end, the connection that we build in this work is what matters most.”

The post Women in Technology: Misty Combs appeared first on Liquid Web.

Considering  Liquid Web vs Softlayer?

It can be tempting to think that the most well-known technology brands provide the best possible solutions for all customers, but that is not always true particularly for businesses in the SMB segment. One of those most well-known brands in the infrastructure space? IBM. As the saying goes, “no one ever got fired for buying Big Blue.” IBMs customer-facing infrastructure business, Softlayer, has built a nice reputation on the back of the IBM brand.

When it comes to performance and support, however, the truth is much different than perception. Softlayer’s free support is available exclusively through a public support forum, with pre-pay and pay-as-you go options for assistance via phone and chat. Even at Softlayer’s highest rate for premium support, only the most critical issues can expect to receive a response in 15 minutes. At Liquid Web, our expert support is available 24/7/365 via phone, chat, and email, with a 59-Second Initial Response Guarantee by phone or chat. Not only can you always reach us in under a minute, but you’ll never pay extra for support — it’s included for all managed hosting customers.

Furthermore, Softlayer charges additional fees for performance optimization and server management, and only offers limited remedy in the event of downtime. While Softlayer does offer a 100% uptime SLA and inarguably provides excellent technology for clients, when it comes to service and support, the scales are undoubtedly tipped in Liquid Web’s favor.

At Liquid Web, we’ve spent more than two decades providing not only cutting-edge hosting solutions but also class-leading support and service. From fully managing your infrastructure, to our 100% uptime guarantee, from up to 1000% downtime credits to proactive monitoring, we offer complete hosting solutions for individuals and organizations that demand the best infrastructure.

Nobody Includes More Than Liquid Web

The World’s Most-Loved Hosting Company

Nobody delights customers more than Liquid Web. Our Net Promoter Score (NPS® ) of 67 puts us among the world’s most loved brands — and makes us No. 1 in the hosting industry. What makes us special? Our customers say it best:

“Liquid Web is always there for their customers. They are caring, thoughtful, helpful and treat you with so much respect. The help they give is phenomenal. Nothing compares to the wonderful caring company know as Liquid Web.”

— Kitti Titus, ProGroom Pet Supply

“Excellent service with timely support. I love all the staff at LW and have been a client for many, many years. I highly recommend Liquid Web”

— Martie

Backed By The Most Helpful Humans in Hosting and the Best Guarantees in the Industry

You don’t have to be a large enterprise to get enterprise-grade technology and class-leading support. Our team is made of over 300 of the Most Helpful Humans in Hosting. Each day, we support and innovate VPS, dedicated, and cloud infrastructure for some of the most ambitious digital projects on earth. Whether you need reliable, rock solid solutions or the most robust SLA in the hosting sector, the team at Liquid Web is ready to power your digital strategy into the future.

24/7 Support from The Most Helpful Humans in Hosting 
It’s easy to say you have the best support, but we have the numbers to back it up. Our Support ranks No. 1 in customer satisfaction.

59 Second Initial Response Guarantee: Phone and Chat

We’re committed to answering your call or connecting to your LiveChat within 59 seconds.

59 Minute Initial Response Guarantee: Email

HelpDesk tickets receive an initial response via email within 59 minutes, guaranteed.

The post Liquid Web Vs. Softlayer (IBM Cloud) appeared first on Liquid Web.

Is your business looking to increase reliability and efficiency for infrastructure through load balancer monitoring in 2020?

Whether its internal employees or potential customers visiting your site to find text, downloads, application data, images, or video, all of these assets are sitting on several cloud servers waiting to be requested. In some cases, websites can have dozens to millions of simultaneous users, and all of their requests must return the correct data quickly and reliably, otherwise, user confidence degrades, traffic declines, and with it goes revenue.

Load balancers are pivotal in properly distributing the requests across the servers to take the burden off of a single server and ensure faster more reliable response times. Monitoring the effectiveness of load balancers can help you improve efficiency, provide a better user experience, and perhaps find places where costs can be curtailed.

Here are certain metrics you can monitor to help determine if your load balancer is working efficiently.

Load Balancer Metrics to Monitor

1. Accuracy

Accuracy determines how precisely the task result was executed. Even though the system makespan is slightly degraded by the accuracy value, this measurement matches the actual value of the task execution. Systems accurately fulfilling user demand is important to cloud services since it links directly back to the user experience.

2. Associated Costs

Associated costs depend on resource utilization. Liquid Web can help you scale using resource provisioning, but until requests start entering the system, you won’t truly know your needs, so this metric tells you whether your costs are justified. Resource provisioning helps control the on-demand resource cost and over-subscribed resource cost of over-provisioning and under-provisioning.

3. Associated Overhead

Associated overhead measures the execution of the algorithms to determine the excess or indirect computation time required to return the request. Some overhead costs are associated with the balancing technique for the load to the system. If the load is balanced properly, then minimum overhead occurs.

4. Energy Consumption

Energy consumption of a cloud system is the amount of energy absorbed by all devices connected in the system including personal devices (PC, laptop, phone, etc.), networking devices (hubs, switches, routers, etc.), and servers. Energy use can be reduced with energy-efficient hardware, energy-aware scheduling techniques, power-minimization in the server cluster, and power-minimization in wired and wireless networks. This metric can help reduce operating costs.

5. Fault Tolerance

Fault tolerance allows the system to perform uninterrupted even if one or more system elements are failing and resolves logical error related obstacles. Although it comes at an additional cost, the metric lets you measure the level of fault-tolerance from the number of failure points (i.e., single point failure or multipoint failure).

6. Makespan

Makespan is an excellent metric to tell you the maximum time the system requires to deliver requests. This metric is measured end to end so Liquid Web tries to retain makespan even with priority tasks. The optimal makespan results in excellent system load balancing.

7. Migration Time

Migration time is the actual time required to migrate a request or task from one resource to another, like from one virtual machine (VM) to another VM. This metric informs the effectiveness of the system since the greater number of migrations of VMs increases time, resulting in the degradation of the makespan and load balancing efficiency.

8. Predictability

Predictability is an excellent metric to goal-set and scale task allocation, task execution, and task completion to determine load balancing efficiency. Mapping previous behavior to the allocation and execution of current tasks in the cloud system provides the predictability value. Better predictability of task allocations improves load balancing and the makespan.

9. Reliability

Reliability improves stability. It’s not just about uptime. As a metric, reliability can be measured in many ways, including uptime or consistent performance. In the case of any request or system failure, to improve the reliability of the system, the task is transferred to any other resources (VMs).

10. Response Time

Response time is the sum of transmission time, waiting time, and service time required by the system to respond to a request. Since the system performance is inversely proportional to the response time, optimizing response time results in a better makespan value.

11. Scalability

Scalability is important for controlling operating costs since the system must be capable of performing and adapting to the needs of the business. It means adjusting the load-balanced system to the growth of the business. Rescaling of resources should be done periodically based on metric data specifically targeted toward this purpose.

12. Thrashing

Thrashing occurs when memory and other resources are unable to perform operations on requests because VM migration is not maintaining the proper scheduling. Monitoring this load balancer metric ensures that the appropriate load-balancing algorithm is being used for the maintenance of this metric.

13. Throughput

Throughput is the number of user requests executed per unit time by a VM. When used as a metric, the throughput value determines the system performance with high throughput indicating good system performance. The throughput of the system is inversely proportional to the makespan of the system.

Make a Load Balancer Metric Game Plan

Having a long report full of metric data is great, but when there are no benchmarks, sample periods, criteria, or quantifiable applications with which to make decisions or system adjustments, the numbers are just that; numbers. Each metric must apply directly to your load balancing needs and should serve a specific purpose. Alarms can help.

Ask your Liquid Web expert if your service is alarm-capable. Alarms track a single metric over a specified time period. By setting an expected value of the metric relative to a threshold, the alarm can send one or more notifications. You are notified when a quantified metric reaches a defined range and remains in that range for a specified period of time.

For example, an alarm can alert you when the load balancer’s latency is above 60 seconds a consecutive period of 60 minutes. A broader or aspirational metric benchmark could alert you that you have either met, over-estimated, or under-estimated your load balancer threshold. This can help you scale.

Carefully Choose Load Balancer Metric to Monitor

Monitoring performance is not just important to the user experience but also important in controlling costs. Carefully pick the correct metrics for your businesses because every metric stated here may not apply to your load balancing needs. Choosing the wrong metric might “muddy” the data or delay decision-making.

Liquid Web experts can help you choose the most applicable metrics for your business. We want to help you scale effectively and provide you with the most economical solutions. Monitoring the performance of your load balancer is one way to do that.

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