Cloud Computing for Your Business
July 12th 2010
Is Cloud Computing A Viable Solution For Your Business?
Although Cloud Computing is certainly one of the latest and most common buzzwords coming out of the technology industry, it still has many people scratching their heads and wondering if this is a technology solution they should implement within their business.
At a basic level, cloud computing is a solution that consists of accessing software applications through the Internet versus an internal network server that is physically located at your location.
The more popular applications of cloud computing technology include hosted email, online data backup, software-as-a-service (SaaS) in addition to hosted IP based phone service (hosted VoIP).
A complete cloud computing environment comprises the outsourcing all of your network servers and associated applications to a third-party data center in which another organization has the ultimate responsibility for the on-going maintenance and up-time of your systems.
The primary benefit of cloud computing solution includes a lower total cost of ownership that results from the more efficient utilization and leveraging of technology. For example, though the use of virtualization technology, several servers may be consolidated down to just one physical server—resulting in reduced cost as well as providing enhanced support capabilities via centralized services management.
Another benefit is the increased availability of faster internet bandwidth speeds thereby offering your staff performance that is very comparable to that of an internal network.
In conclusion, cloud computing can often eliminate the requirement to procure new or additional hardware, offer built-in disaster recovery functionality, minimize power consumption, remove maintenance costs, as well even free up physical office space.
Also, your Information Technology (IT) support staff will now be able to focus more time and efforts on ensuring the continued successful delivery of your core service offerings.
However, we have heard some clients express concerns. These primarily involve considerations around data security, protection, and assurance, reliance on internet service up-time, potential bandwidth performance issues, maintenance and support as well as concerns around vendor management and the potential increased risk in finger pointing amongst vendors.
However, we still believe that cloud computing is a viable solution that is definitely worth further consideration and discussion.
At a basic level, cloud computing is a solution that consists of accessing software applications through the Internet versus an internal network server that is physically located at your location.
The more popular applications of cloud computing technology include hosted email, online data backup, software-as-a-service (SaaS) in addition to hosted IP based phone service (hosted VoIP).
A complete cloud computing environment comprises the outsourcing all of your network servers and associated applications to a third-party data center in which another organization has the ultimate responsibility for the on-going maintenance and up-time of your systems.
The primary benefit of cloud computing solution includes a lower total cost of ownership that results from the more efficient utilization and leveraging of technology. For example, though the use of virtualization technology, several servers may be consolidated down to just one physical server—resulting in reduced cost as well as providing enhanced support capabilities via centralized services management.
Another benefit is the increased availability of faster internet bandwidth speeds thereby offering your staff performance that is very comparable to that of an internal network.
In conclusion, cloud computing can often eliminate the requirement to procure new or additional hardware, offer built-in disaster recovery functionality, minimize power consumption, remove maintenance costs, as well even free up physical office space.
Also, your Information Technology (IT) support staff will now be able to focus more time and efforts on ensuring the continued successful delivery of your core service offerings.
However, we have heard some clients express concerns. These primarily involve considerations around data security, protection, and assurance, reliance on internet service up-time, potential bandwidth performance issues, maintenance and support as well as concerns around vendor management and the potential increased risk in finger pointing amongst vendors.
However, we still believe that cloud computing is a viable solution that is definitely worth further consideration and discussion.
