Operations | Monitoring | ITSM | DevOps | Cloud

SquaredUp Dashboard Server (DS) and SquaredUp Cloud both deliver cutting-edge data visualization for IT and engineering teams. The two products can be used independently, or together for complete operational visibility. This article explores how SquaredUp DS and Cloud differ, when to use each, and how they work together.

You've got Prometheus running in one cluster — maybe a dev environment, a single EKS cluster, or a proof-of-concept setup. The configuration is straightforward: node_exporter on a few EC2 instances, some service discovery for pods, and a single Prometheus server scraping everything. Storage is local, retention is 15 days, and you can keep all the default recording rules without worrying about costs.

When you’re planning your IT strategy, deciding between cloud computing and colocation services isn’t always simple. Each option comes with its strengths and potential pitfalls. And with tech at the heart of most modern operations, knowing where to house your data and infrastructure is a big decision, and one that could shape your business's future. So, which one is best for your business: cloud computing vs colocation?

AI is reshaping the cost landscape. As a positive person, I’m going to call this change exciting! FinOps teams are integrating AI into cloud platforms and incurring the spend that comes with it. As a FinOps strategist who has helped several companies optimize cloud spend across industries, it became evident that clarity around AI spend unlocks swift, smart decisions. That’s AI … optimized.

Every business builds strong defences to keep attackers out. Firewalls and DDoS protection serve that purpose, standing guard over company apps and websites, like knights at the castle gate keeping out trolls (not just the ones on X). But here’s the problem: those defences only work if users actually walk through the front gate. Sometimes, people find hidden paths or side doors around your walls, so the guards never see them enter.

Data centre energy use has become a critical factor in business infrastructure strategy. Once a background cost, it now plays a direct role in decisions about operational resilience, sustainability reporting, and future capacity planning. The scale of consumption is hard to ignore. Even smaller facilities can draw between 1 and 5 MW of continuous power, enough to supply thousands of homes. Larger hyperscale environments consume significantly more, 20 MW to over 100 MW of power.