Tag Archives: Cloud Services

How To Harness the Hybrid Cloud

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Hybrid cloud models have become even more prominent than ever before, with many companies demonstrating a need for both private and public clouds. As with any other IT solution, making a hybrid cloud viable is a question of integration. In this case, seamlessly transitioning between the two cloud models is the primary challenge. However, existing IT systems must often operate in conjunction with the cloud.

There’s no “one size fits all” solution for any business, but many cloud providers are starting to take the hint and adapt their services accordingly. Azure Stack is one of the newest hybrid offerings, intended to bridge the gap between public and private cloud services. Services such as these lower the barrier to entry for hybrid cloud adoption and may be what is necessary for this model to truly become mainstream.

The advantage of the hybrid cloud is flexibility. With private clouds hosting core applications and sensitive functions, companies can then use scalable public clouds as widely as their needs allow. This is the most efficient solution once implemented, but there’s a high level of logistics necessary to make it work. The data centers that provide the infrastructure necessary for the hybrid cloud will need to be customized in order to function properly. Specialized personnel will need to be on-site to test and reassess the service, and cybersecurity is, as always, paramount.

Service is another issue that needs to be addressed when working with a hybrid cloud. With the massive volume of data that needs to be transitioned between the two clouds, a quick response time from providers and high connectivity are necessary for success. Latency problems continue to be one of the largest issues when it comes to hybrid cloud adoption. Going forward, businesses will need to decide whether they can host this infrastructure on-site or outsource to IaaS organizations. It’s an expensive proposition, and one that many companies lack the funds to handle.

Networking between facilities is another challenge that Microsoft has tackled in the interest of improving their services. ExpressRoute is an interlink touted as a low-latency connection, though it is not available to all facilities. And, as a trunk connection, ExpressRoute does experience some latency issues with the last bit of distance that data must travel. Still, it’s the start of a future of trans-facility marketing. In the near future, as more of these connections become available, the hybrid cloud will become more of a practical option. Multiple connections to each facility and more robust data centers are the key to better hybrid offerings.

The idea of a hybrid cloud continues to become more popular as the need for scalability becomes more pronounced for IT departments. Companies such as Microsoft are now scrambling to meet these new needs, but delivering the necessary level of connectivity has proved difficult. Still, it is not impossible to strive for trans-facility networks that allow for better data delivery and provide organizations with the infrastructure that they need.

Dispelling Common Myths About Cloud Computing

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Cloud computing has truly grown into its skin in terms of its impact on the modern technological landscape. Most major industries now implement and rely on some form of cloud-based storage to improve their efficiency and niche-specific innovation. Still, even with the cloud’s growing maturity and agility, it still remains at the center of several myths stemming mainly from its security, financial constraints, and overall usability.

Here are logical responses to several cloud-based myths.

“The cloud is the end-all/be-all of success”

While cloud computing holds immense potential in terms of “speed-to-market” deliverables, it is not necessarily the only means of finding success in an increasingly data-driven business world. The best rule of thumb is to conduct an analysis of your company’s specific needs, goals, and weaknesses and determine if cloud-based software will stand as an asset to achieving and mending these matters. The reality is that there are several major breakthroughs going on in the business technology sector (virtualization, autonomy), and these innovations may simply serve your company in a more constructive manner.

In short, the cloud is great, but “cloud washing” is not.

“The cloud is unsafe”

A common concern surrounding the cloud stems from its security, and this notion is reasonable given the amount of precious data held within cloud communities. However, much of this skepticism is unfounded, as there have been very few public cloud security breaches since the concept took off as a technological norm.

The cloud is obviously not impenetrable, but its security is much stronger and more consistent than many commentators would lead you to believe.

“The cloud is typically not reflective of a company-wide decision”

Cloud computing is often given the false label of a “CEO-said-so” implementation — in other words it is perceived to be a change imposed on an entire company, regardless of majority interest. In reality, most companies make the switch to the cloud after a long planning and goal mapping process in which employees and executives alike weigh the pros and cons of such a move.

The cloud is almost never the result of a knee-jerk decision — its vast array of uses makes it almost impossible to be handled in such a way.

“Data shared in the cloud cannot be taken back”

Another reasonable, but mostly incorrect cloud-based fear comes from the stakes surrounding data storage. In many of these cases, the skeptic is under the impression that data stored in the cloud is essentially irrevocable. In the past, these beliefs were legitimate, but subsequent advances in data-based technology have given way to easier methods of data migration — both to and from the cloud.

Initial cloud-based data storage can be daunting, but rest assured that your data is far from “locked in.”

What You Need To Know About The Cloud in YOUR Workplace

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Here’s a question for anybody, regardless of industry: do you know if you use the cloud in your day to day activities? Even if you are not an IT specialist, it always pays to be cognizant of the technology at your disposal and the ways that you can use it to be more productive and improve the quality of your work.

Given the recent widespread adoption of cloud technology, it stands to reason that many businesses and industries already make use of the cloud in some capacity. I’d like to take a moment and talk about some of the industries that benefit the most from cloud adoption. If you belong to any of the below and are not aware of the ways in which the cloud can assist you, I encourage you to conduct your own research and push towards your company creating its own plan.

Banking

The banking industry needs the cloud to process massive amounts of data. Given the nature of the data, cloud security is paramount here. As security measures improve for this new technology, expect banks to use it more often. The cloud’s ability to make businesses more agile is ideal. This best serves banks that may have to handle acquisitions and improve outdated software over time.

Education

Education is always in demand. The need for student portals and administrative records is best served through cloud adoption. There are many time consuming processes in the education sector that can be improved or automated through cloud services, and platforms for email or other communications can be facilitated over the cloud. Furthermore, the mobile connectivity that the cloud can provide is necessary for the modern era of students and teachers.

Healthcare

I’ve spoken in the past about the value that the cloud brings healthcare, and would like to reiterate here. The massive quantity of patient records necessitates some level of streamlining and automation, especially when this data is traded across providers. The cloud can help make this process less of a hassle and ultimately provide further security and confidentiality for patients when their information is sent out to others.

Construction

The construction industry is based around logistics, something that cloud providers help improve. Often, with job sites and other projects, it can be difficult for administrators to track the information that they need. The cloud can provide remote and mobile access for these professionals, enabling them to get the information that they need at a moment’s notice. Plus, the financial concerns inherent in construction makes construction professionals a strong candidate for certain management platforms.

Startups

While less an industry and more a type of company, startup companies have the most to gain from adopting the cloud. Unlike established businesses, they don’t have to waste time and capital adapting their existing data infrastructure to the cloud; they can start right away and have the cloud make an impact on organizing their operations. Plus, the scalability of the cloud allows startup owners to adapt to the changing nature of their business.

Conclusion

Every company has something to gain from the cloud, even if only in the form of document sharing. Any savvy business professional should learn the benefits that this new technology can confer. They can stay competitive and evolve for the future.

If you have any questions about how your business can adopt the cloud, contact me through the form on the front page.

The Big Switch: What You Need to Know About Transitioning to the Cloud

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Even for seasoned IT professionals, a switch to the cloud can seem intimidating. Yet, with more and more businesses adopting, transitioning is becoming increasingly necessary to stay on the cutting edge. With scalability, efficiency, and speed, cloud computing has already made a big impact on data infrastructure and productivity. 90% of companies report using the cloud in some way, according to Comptia’s report on cloud computing trends.

Still, making the transition brings with it an assortment of challenges, particularly in companies that haven’t bothered to update their IT infrastructure for a long time. For any company considering adopting cloud infrastructure, there are a few challenges worth knowing about.

Learning is part of the process

In order to successfully migrate to the cloud, companies don’t just need to adopt new technology, they need to properly educate IT staff on the specifics of cloud maintenance and management. The good news is that using the cloud decreases overhead and requires less maintenance, so after the initial adoption period, fewer resources will be spent on these tasks. While this can limit adoption speed, especially for larger companies with well-established IT infrastructures, it’s a barrier to entry worth working through.

Plan for time, money, and security

Moving data to the cloud is a slow, costly process. There’s no real way around this. When companies choose to make the jump to cloud, they should plan out the execution and research IaaS options before committing to anything. Ensure that your team is equipped well enough to manage whatever level of cloud infrastructure you plan to provide.

Security is another aspect of cloud adoption that many companies don’t consider. Cloud providers are generally not responsible for security—the majority of breaches happen on-site. Because of this, part of planning can involve paying for security in some form, whether through monitoring software or security measures offered by a cloud provider.

Why adopt the cloud?

While I’ve spoken many times on the benefits of using cloud technology in business, any company looking to adopt will need to know how they intend on using it. Simply finding an IaaS is not good enough; businesses need to figure out how the cloud fits into their overall strategy. Many cite total cost of ownership as the primary reason for cloud usage, but in reality, extensive research should be done to determine the platform that is most conducive to a company’s workload and objectives.

Know the costs.

Companies often overestimate the amount that they’ll need to pay for the cloud, moving only a few applications at a time onto cloud platforms. This incremental approach is in many cases not necessary, especially when public cloud offerings can be inexpensive and robust enough to handle business needs. When migrating, consider the services that you’ll be hosting in-house and the extent to which these can save you money in the long term.

Conclusion

Any company thinking of adopting cloud infrastructure should have a lot of questions about how migration can affect their companies. However, if they avoid falling victim to the hype and conduct thorough research both into provider options and their own goals, then they can bolster their IT departments and be prepared for the cloud’s future innovations.

Best Cloud-Based Apps for Business

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I spend a lot of time talking about applications of the cloud, so I figured I’d dedicate myself now to discussing some applications for the cloud. If you’re the owner of a small-to-medium sized business (often colloquially referred to as an SMB), then you’ll be happy to know that, even without cloud services, it’s still possible to leverage this technology to work for you and improve productivity. Thousands of applications exist on the web, and now, some recent additions are using the cloud to better manage their resources.

Have a look at some of the best services available now.

Intuit Quickbooks Online Plus

For under $40 per month, you can use cloud-based accounting to get a better handle on company finances. From its modest beginning, Intuit has since expanded its services and created a simple, user-friendly UI that caters specifically to SMB needs. It even includes a flexible payroll management service to make it your one-stop shop for dealing with finance.

IDrive

For the business with a minimal web presence looking for a hassle-free way to protect its data, IDrive is ideal. It’s inexpensive and boasts an easy setup that offers businesses disk image backups, folder syncing, and a hard drive for physical data security.

The downside? It only offers a terabyte of storage, which some smaller businesses may not mind, given IDrive’s ease of use.

Carbonite

For slightly larger businesses, Carbonite offers a more robust backup option for businesses looking to protect their data in case of disaster for a reasonable price. However, it does nothing to protect or back up virtual infrastructures or cloud-based data centers, making it so that businesses that are more digitally involved will have to look elsewhere for answers.

MailChimp

Even if your budget for email marketing is low, MailChimp delivers (pun intended) with a level of customization that’ll keep anybody happy regardless of their level of technological expertise. It’s also capable of integrating third party tools, and includes templates to get a new user off and running as fast as possible.

Hootsuite

If you’re interested in easily managing multiple social media platforms from one place, then consider Hootsuite. It starts off free, but an interested user can scale up and add more socials if they decide that the like the service.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t offer all-in-one analytics; though most social platforms have their own free services if you’d like to really track engagement.

Webroot SecureAnywhere Antivirus

For a little bit of money (around $20, to be precise), you can protect your devices from viruses and ensure recovery of files encrypted by ransomware. It doesn’t take up a lot of space on your device, scans rapidly, and offers a protective firewall. Plus, Webroot is constantly updating its database of programs and potential threats, and is willing to respond and adapt to any attack by an unknown software.

Ascencio System OnlyOffice

It’s a lot like Google Docs, but OnlyOffice offers a few more options that make it worth the higher price point. It provides additional features that can aid in productivity, including task, project, and customer relationship management tools. Plus, its myriad of functions are all cleanly integrated together in a way that makes it easy to shift from task to task.

Its main drawback is its lack of included storage, but this is offset by the fact that OnlyOffice plays nicely with other third-party storage providers for your convenience.