Modern software does not live in isolation. Behind every reliable system is a carefully designed foundation of hosting infrastructure, security controls, domain management, and communication services.

At Intoria Software Architects, we view this foundation as part of the overall technology architecture, not a separate concern. While our primary focus is designing and building sophisticated software systems, we routinely work across hosting, cloud platforms, APIs, and infrastructure layers to ensure the systems we deliver are secure, stable, and aligned with how our clients operate.

This page outlines how we think about hosting and infrastructure, how we typically engage with client IT teams, and why flexibility and ownership matter more than rigid preferences.

How We Approach Hosting

Most of the software systems we build fall into one of two hosting models.

Intoria-Managed Cloud Infrastructure

In many cases, systems are hosted on Intoria-managed cloud infrastructure, typically using dedicated server instances within Amazon Web Services (AWS).

This model allows us to:

Configure environments specifically for the application
Control security, access, and patching
Monitor performance and uptime
Implement backup and recovery strategies
Scale resources as usage grows

When we manage hosting, infrastructure is treated as part of the software lifecycle, not an afterthought. If hosted with us, this is a separate monthly or annual cost that is discussed outside the scope of the project development costs.

Client-Managed or Internal Hosting

In other cases, clients prefer to host software within their own cloud environments or internal infrastructure. We are comfortable working this way as well.

With the assistance of a client’s IT team, we can obtain administrative or delegated access to their hosting environment. This allows us to:

Deploy and maintain software within internal systems
Align with internal security policies and compliance requirements
Integrate with existing backup, monitoring, and access control processes

We have no strong preference between these models. The right choice depends on ownership, governance, internal IT capacity, and long-term operational goals.

Why Cloud Platforms Are So Widely Used

Cloud platforms such as AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud have become the standard for modern software hosting.

They offer:

Global availability and redundancy
On-demand scalability
Managed services for databases, storage, and networking
Strong security tooling and compliance support
Pay-for-usage pricing models

These platforms reduce infrastructure friction and allow teams to focus on building and improving software rather than maintaining physical hardware.

Our Experience Across Cloud Providers

AWS is our most commonly used platform and our preferred choice for many projects due to its breadth of services and long-term maturity.

That said, we have experience working with the big three of Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform.

We design systems to be portable where practical and to fit naturally into the platform a client already uses.

Hosting Costs and What Affects Them

Hosting costs are always specific to the project.

They vary based on factors such as:

Compute resources and memory requirements
Expected traffic and usage patterns
Database size and performance needs
Backup frequency and retention policies
Redundancy and high availability requirements
Monitoring, alerting, and uptime guarantees

Rather than offering flat hosting packages, we tailor infrastructure to the needs of the system and adjust over time as those needs evolve.

API Integrations and Secure Pipelines

Many modern systems rely on third-party services accessed through APIs.

We have extensive experience designing secure, reliable integrations between:

External APIs and internal systems
Cloud-hosted services and client-managed environments
Data providers, payment processors, and operational platforms

Security is critical in these scenarios. When making these decisions, ensure that:

Credentials are stored and rotated securely
Network communication is encrypted
Access is limited to only what is required
Failures and edge cases are handled gracefully

APIs are treated as part of the infrastructure, not just a coding detail.

Domain Names as Corporate Assets

We strongly encourage clients to own their own domain names. A domain name is a corporate asset. It represents identity, continuity, and control.

While we may assist with configuration, we believe ownership should remain with the client whenever possible.

Subdomains for Cloud Software

Cloud-based systems often live on subdomains such as:

app.example.com
portal.example.com
api.example.com

To configure these correctly, we usually require administrative or carefully scoped access to domain management settings. This allows us to set DNS records accurately, support secure certificates, and ensure reliable routing and performance.

We work closely with internal IT teams or domain administrators to make these changes safely and transparently.

Email Infrastructure Considerations

Email infrastructure is typically handled by internal IT teams or established email service providers.

In many organizations, email is managed through enterprise platforms such as Google Workspace or similar offerings. In other cases, email systems are hosted internally or managed by third parties.

Our role is usually to:

Integrate software systems with existing email infrastructure
Ensure secure sending and receiving of system-generated emails
Avoid conflicts with corporate email policies and security controls

We can assist with configuration when needed, but email infrastructure ownership usually remains with the client or their IT partners.

Security as Part of the Technology Stack

Hosting, domains, APIs, and email all intersect with security.

We treat security as a cross-cutting concern that includes:

Access control and credential management
Network security and firewalls
Secure configuration of cloud services
Monitoring, logging, and incident response
Coordination with internal IT and security teams

Strong systems are built when software and infrastructure decisions reinforce each other.

The Bigger Picture

Infrastructure decisions shape how software behaves over time.

Hosting, security, domains, and communication systems are not separate from software development. They are part of the same architectural fabric.

At Intoria, we approach technology holistically. Whether hosting is managed by us or by a client’s internal team, our goal is the same. Build systems that are secure, reliable, maintainable, and aligned with real operational needs.

When infrastructure and software are designed together, systems scale more gracefully, fail more predictably, and support long-term success.

Infrastructure, Hosting, and the Technology That Supports Modern Software