VMs are software systems that operate as completely independent computers inside a hardware system. They make use of software known as Hypervisors to separate hardware resources, such as memory, CPU and storage. A virtual machine is able to use a different operating system, like Windows for business applications or Linux for software development.

Using virtual systems reduces the chance of system failure and allows you to quickly restore your data to a previous date. You can also test and deploy new or old applications in a sandbox, to ensure that they function according to plan, without homepage disrupting production.

You can install multiple VMs onto one physical machine which will reduce your capital and operating costs. It also reduces the need to duplicate or backup your systems, reducing the amount of data you need to keep. Cloud-based VMs permit you to access your data anywhere with an Internet connection, eliminating the need for offsite storage.

A VM can be run on any hardware that can meet the performance requirements of your business, including servers and desktops. Each Hypervisor has pros and cons that are vital for small-sized companies. One of the most popular options is VMware vSphere that comes with ESX/ESXi. This is an enterprise-ready option with increased security, hosts that are able to be created with up to 128 vCPUs, 6TB of RAM, role-based access, extensive logging and auditing. Another option that is popular is Microsoft Hyper-V. It is cheaper and easier to manage than vSphere however it has the same capabilities.