Common Uses of Cloud Computing
Posted on September 19, 2014
Cloud computing has many benefits and uses in today’s business world. Cloud computing allows your business to be accessible and online; to have increased work efficiency and productivity; and, to safely store company information with online backup services and disaster recovery plans. This post will help you to learn more about three common uses of cloud computing:
1) Accessibility – any device, from anywhere, and at any time
The biggest advantage of using cloud computing is the ability to access files, programs, emails, and documents from any location, any device, and at any time. Fixed geographical locations, and set office hours, are no longer a barrier to modifying and working with company information. You could be at the airport checking your mobile device, or in Singapore the next day using your iPad—and your applications, programs, files, documents, and emails will follow you wherever you go. This flexibility allows business owners to increase work efficiency, productivity,collaboration, and time-management.
2) Work efficiency and increased productivity
With cloud services, work efficiency and productivity is increased. For example, if your employees use traditional email to send a document to colleagues in another country, the document is sent back and forth with only one person able to work on it at one time. However, with cloud computing, the same file is kept in one central location and everyone works off of one central copy. Your employees can even chat to each other while making changes together. This transformationalso increases collaboration, teamwork, and creativity.
3) Online backup services and disaster recovery
An online backup service refers to backing up data from your hard drive to a remote server or computer using a network connection. Therefore, online backup services offer the advantage of securely storing your files at off-site server locations.This kind of backup typically goes hand-in-hand with a business disaster recovery plan, as the data remains safe should your office become at risk due to fires, floods, or employee thefts of information. Essentially, when a company relies on cloud computing, they no longer need to have large-scale or complex disaster recovery plans.
Essential Data Services uses state-of-the-art IBM software to manage their cloud services, to ensure access to applications and data are available to customers 24x7x365, and to provide a cloud platform with endless possibilities. We have the technology to “cloud” a client’s entire network of applications, databases, files, and programs. We can help you and your business. Read our company’s bi-weekly blog, or find out more at http://www.dgnit.com/essentialdata/.
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The History of Cloud Computing
Posted on September 9, 2014
Cloud computing might be a relatively new concept for today’s business owner. However, cloud computing is certainly not new. Its history and evolution dates back to the 1950s and 1960s.
In the 1950s, organizations started to use large mainframe computers, but they couldn’t afford to purchase a computer for each user. A process was developed, which allowed multiple users to access a single mainframe, and usecomputer terminals that had no internal processing capabilities of their own.This process was called “time-sharing.” The origin of server hosting, and the cloud server, was born.
Delivering computing resources through a global network, however, is mainly rooted in the 1960s.Ben Smye of Business2 Community stated that, “the next notable event in cloud computing’s history came in 1969, courtesy of American computer scientist, J. C. R. Licklider. He helped to develop the Advanced Research Projects Agency Network (ARPANET), the so-called predecessor to the Internet. Licklider also had a vision for everyone in the world to be interconnected and accessing programs and data at any site and from anywhere.“ Read more at http://www.business2community.com/cloud-computing/brief-history-cloud-computing-0858476#vo8RTeOOr2eVtRzS.99.
Many interesting events occurred in the 1970s and 1980s. IBM, Microsoft, and Apple developed technologies to enhance the cloud environment, and to advance the use of the cloud server and server hosting. Virtualization – creating a virtual (rather than an actual) version of computer hardware platforms, operating systems (OS), storage devices, or computer network resources – was maximized.
The origin of the term “cloud computing” isn’t clear. But, in 1999, Salesforce.comwas the first organization to deliver business applications from a website. Like today’s Amazon.com and Google Apps, Salesforce.com delivered server hosting for business applications and tools.
Currently, cloud computing is considered both a research topic and a reliable market offering.Services, like the Apple iCloud, are applications that have resulted from the history, research, and development of cloud services.
In the future, however, the cloud as a defining term will begin to fade as most IT services will include a cloud component. It is predicted that every computer technology will in some way be connected to the cloud. It is not yet clear how these future advancements will impact the business world.
Complimenting this unique history, Essential Data Services uses state-of-the-art IBM software to manage their cloud services, to ensure access to applications and data are available to customers 24x7x365, and to provide a cloud platform with endless possibilities. We have the technology to “cloud” a client’s entire network of applications, databases, files, and programs. We can help you and your business. Read our company’s bi-weekly blog, or find out more at https://essentialdata.ca/.
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What is Cloud Computing?
Posted on September 9, 2014
The term, “cloud computing,” can be an uncertain one for business owners who are taking a first step into the world of cloud applications, shared servers, databases, and online backup and storage tools. Cloud computing is still a relatively new concept. Business owners have generally preferred accessing their company information directly from a personal computer or a local server, and backing this information up to the same devices.
So, how does a business owner easily access company information once they step outside of their office space? And, how do they prevent potential physical and technical disasters that threaten the security of this information?
Cloud computingis a synonymousterm forthe Internet.Therefore, cloud computingmeans storing and accessing files, emails, documents, and programs over the Internet instead of directly on a computer’s hard drive.Essentially, it is the practice of using a network of remote servers hosted on the Internet to store and manage data, rather than on a local server or a personal computer.
A business can use Gmail as their email program, for example, and that business would then be using a form of cloud computing. Google hosts Gmail on Google’s servers, and backs up and maintains the Gmail accounts. The business accesses Gmail from the Internet, and is not responsible for the online backup or security of the Gmail program. These jobs belong to Google. Gmail accounts can be accessed on a personal computer in an office space. The Gmail accounts, however, can also be accessed from a mobile phone in an airport, or from a laptop in another country.
The business owner can now step outside of his/her office space, and access their company information from anywhere in the world. They can also provide more security for that information with online backup and secured, off-premises hosting. Cloud computing is cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and easy to access and use. It is also reliable and secure.
Cloud computing is an economical and user-friendly service option for businesses. But, there is so much to learn and to know about this kind of service. Is your business cloud ready? Does cloud computing help or hurt the environment? What is public, private, and hybrid cloud computing? Are cloud services right for small businesses? The list of questions can be long and confusing.
Essential Data Services uses state-of-the-art IBM software to manage their cloud services, to ensure access to applications and data are available to customers 24x7x365, and toprovide a cloud platform with endless possibilities. We have the technology to “cloud” a client’s entire network of applications, databases, files, and programs. We can help you and your business. Read our company’s bi-weekly blog, or find out more at https://essentialdata.ca/.
Did we answer your questions about cloud computing and cloud services? Leave a comment to let us know how we can further help you.
Cloud Computing Toronto Business Leaders need to be calling the shots.
Posted on January 20, 2014
Cloud computing is causing small and medium sized businesses to spend their budgets on hiring staff and consultants, as well as subscribing to cloud technology offerings. A rapid t move to the cloud has budget-line items allocated for Cloud-related technology and services, and this will increase significantly in 2014 and going forward. The statistics are staggering when you consider that Businesses are spending an average of one third of their budgets on this model and also saving 21% of their IT budget by doing so. Cloud Computing is becoming such a significant part of day-to-day business, it’s growth is pointing to a tidal wave of change, a permanent shift in how businesses view IT infrastructure. A virtual changing of the guards or new wave industrial revolution of our time. just as that transition brought many benefits and opened up new possibilities to businesses of the 30’s, so too will the Cloud provide advantages and benefits for its adopters. As most will agree, change is difficult to accept. Transitioning to the cloud implies change to resource needs especially in the IT pool. Businesses will find huge resistance as these gate keepers hold the key. Senior executives will need to take control in order to realize the benefits, including the most important, the all-mighty budget. Generally speaking, IT folks are still very set in their ways and cannot visualize Cloud-based technology as the next movment in IT, nor can they see its true benefit to overall business, “the big picture”. The true value of cloud computing is its ability to make the business function in ways that can maximize growth and value. That means, movement in new and innovative directions to capture new markets or to stay competitive by keeping up with the market. For this to work, you need to use technology in agile and scalable ways. Typically, you can’t do that with the existing set of technologies and approaches used today. A change is required that will better support the business, which is why looking at Cloud computing options are so important. The ability to get the true value of Cloud computing means thinking a bit more strategic than IT is used to doing. IT’s ability to effectively support the business should be the main objective. Essential Data has an excellent solution for all your cloud needs. We offer a hosted private solution utilizing a Citrix solution, that allows businesses access to all their applications and data virtually. This allows for flexibility never experienced before. Work from anywhere, any time on any device. Access has never been easier. Our cloud environment also offers a layer of security and services, including standard back-ups, virus protection and 24/7 monitoring, so you will never have to worry about disaster recovery or downtime ever again.
We are a certified IBM partner and use only high performance IBM X series servers, hosted in a high security environment with redundant power and internet. Essential Data Services, www.essentialdata.ca a sister company of Infinity Network Solutions. If you are interested in learning more please call us at 1.866.408.2737 or email us at info@infinitynetwork.com
Cloud Computing An Executive Decision.
Posted on December 5, 2013
Cloud computing is starting to have a large impact on small and medium size businesses. The focus of hiring cloud related staff and consultants, as well as subscribing to cloud technology offerings, is growing. A rapid move to the Cloud has budget-line items allocated for Cloud-related technology and services. This movement will continue to increase significantly in 2014 and beyond. The statistics concerning the Cloud are staggering especially when you consider that businesses are spending on average one third of their budget on this model and saving 21% of their IT budget by doing so. Cloud Computing has become the leading technological model creating a permanent shift in how businesses view IT infrastructure. Cloud Computing is quickly becoming the new wave industrial revolution of our time. The Cloud is strong and viable in the present and will bring great benefits and new possibilities in the future to businesses which adopt this technology.
Change is often difficult. Transitioning to the Cloud implies changes to resources, especially in the IT pool. As most IT change is managed by IT administrators, businesses will find huge resistance as these gate keepers don’t want to relinquish their hold on the key. Senior executives will need to shift their position and take control in order to realize the benefits including the most important factor of them all, the budget. We can all get stuck on keeping to the way things are especially if it is working. This “same old same old” attitude should spark executives to start questioning progress, productivity and efficiencies and recognize the reasons to start looking at Cloud-based technology as the next movement in IT. Executives who focus on the big picture will recognize the true benefits to the overall business. The value of Cloud Computing is its ability to make the business function in ways that can maximize growth and worth. Use of the Cloud could singlehandedly create forward movement toward new and innovative opportunities that will help capture new markets while maintaining a competitive edge.
In order to stay at the top, businesses need to use agile and scalable tools which existing technology typically can no longer provide. A change is required that will better support todays’ businesses. This change looks at the ever so important Cloud Computing options.
Essential Data has an excellent solution for all encompassing Cloud requirements. We offer a privately hosted environment, utilizing a Citrix solution that allows businesses access to all of their applications and virtual data. This permits flexibility never experienced before! Work from anywhere, any time on any device. Access has never been easier. Essential’s Cloud environment offers layers of security and services including standard back-ups, virus protection and 24/7 monitoring. You will never have to worry about disaster recovery or downtime ever again!
Cloud computing; making offices obsolete?
Posted on October 25, 2013
Cloud Computing; convert the LAN room into office space.
For many small to medium size businesses, server rooms can become a thing of the past. The spaces LAN rooms occupy could mean up to a few hundred square feet that could be used for storage, utility, or even an executive’s office.
The enormous cost savings associated with moving to the cloud are often overlooked. Firstly, there are thousands or potentially tens of thousands of dollars spent on hardware and software. Furthermore, there is all the time spent managing back-ups and antivirus as well as the overhead costs of utilities, high speed internet and cooling systems. In addition, there is the maintenance and support required which could mean up to 2 salaries or more. Finally there are opportunity costs, along with all the space a LAN room requires.
Cloud computing is efficient and provides mobility. Working in the cloud allows you the flexibility to work from anywhere providing there is WIFI available. Migrating to the cloud has given employers the benefit to afford to spend more on staff and customers rather than on IT support and traditional office set-ups. The cloud can be attributed to increased productivity due to the flexibility it provides employees.
The cloud is scalable. It can change according to the needs of your business. You can upgrade or change programs as new technology develops. You will never have to worry about backing up, down time, security, viruses, performance, support or administration.
It is evident that cloud computing is the model of the future. Businesses are spending an average of one third of their budgets on this model and also saving 21% of their IT budget by doing so. Cloud computing is becoming a bigger part of the fabric of how businesses operate. A cloud based environment enables smaller businesses to remain competitive. This new business model has led to a new found freedom for many small businesses because of the greater flexibility that it provides.
Infinity Network Solutions is a proud IBM certified partner and is an exclusive dealer of IBM Servers and service parts. We stand behind and rely on IBM quality and service.
Essential Data Services, www.essentialdata.ca a sister company of Infinity Network Solutions, offers a private and secure cloud computing solution that is exclusive to your business, and tailored to meet your requirements. It is completely secure and offers 100% up-time, and the ability to work from anywhere, any time and from any device. If you are interested in learning more please call us at 1.866.408.2737 or email us at info@infinitynetwork.com
IBM System X®: New systems for density and performance – reduce IT costs & complexity!
Posted on September 27, 2013
Flexibility, simplicity and scale-ability for today’s workloads:
When you have the right hardware in place, not only do you achieve a great R.O.I., you benefit from having peace of mind. IBM systems are known for their reliability and stellar performance.
IBM System x® x86 servers will support Microsoft Windows, Linux and virtualization. System X® servers are intelligent systems designed to reduce IT costs and complexity. Keep your applications running and maximize your budget with x86 servers from IBM System X®.
Today companies have unique, cutting edge IT requirements. These requirements must take into consideration: analytics, data management, and infrastructure workloads, in cloud or traditional environments. Finally, your IT department is expected to provide maximum uptime and flexibility. You need an infrastructure that provides performance and resiliency to meet today’s demands, as well as scale for tomorrow’s business environment. The X® Series systems are designed to provide optimal performance for today’s varied workloads. X® series servers are the right solution every time.
IBM is a market leader, when it comes to technology and service, and has highly skilled hardware support team experts located all over North America. Superior products and comprehensive warranty and SLA programs keep them ahead of the competition in all regards. Service support is readily available, responding to any service call in a matter of hours, in most cases, with parts in hand.
Infinity is a proud IBM Partner, providing IBM hardware solutions, customized expertise as well as a wide variety of Managed Services. IBM System X® and Infinity Network Solutions have the winning solution for any size organization.
5 Reasons Your Employees can be a major risk to your Business Continuity & Recovery plan
Posted on July 23, 2013
Developing an exhaustive business continuity plan is critical to the well-being of your organization, but it’s important to note that a common risk factor not considered, is potentially your own employees. A well thought out plan could take months of drafting, refining and testing, documentation and formulating a recovery plan to get you back on track.
One of the many risks that are commonly overlooked is varying degrees of end user frustration, apathy and general ignorance.
Some common reasons your company’s employees don’t care about business continuity, and ways to make it work anyway:
They have no idea that a plan exists. Believe it or not, the average employee doesn’t spend a lot of time wondering how the business will survive in the event a major crisis They just assume someone will take care of things and usually make a hand wave about backups and perhaps even mention cloud computing. They don’t understand their roles in getting the business back on its feet — because they haven’t been given roles or training. According to InformationWeek‘s 2013 State of Storage Survey, less than half of survey respondents (40%) had a disaster recovery and business continuity strategy in place and tested it regularly. Another 40% had a disaster recovery plan in place but rarely tested it, while 20% had no plan. I suppose we could all adopt an optimistic outlook and hope for the best, but this is not the way to protect your business from risk.
Business continuity best practice dictates user engagement with a broad-spectrum awareness policy, including what they should do in the event that they can’t do their jobs. This should include explicit printed instructions for remote working and how to report an outage if the email server is down. With regular tests of your business continuity plan and occasionally planning a system outage drill as part of a test on a weekend to see how well the average user deals with the calamity.
They don’t understand the meaning of “disaster.” Disaster recovery more often involves power outages, or data loss from malware, or just general clumsiness from employees destroying data accidentally. These aren’t one-time events but rather things that are definitely going to happen — maybe not today, maybe not next week, but eventually. CIOs know and understand this, but employees don’t.
Be crystal clear about what “disaster” means – such as the potential of being attached via a virus, individual or someone accidentally deleting a directory. Include several sample scenarios that people can understand are high probability and in their best interest to prepare against.
Employees can create new venues for business-critical data outside of the plan. Stashing of company documents on Dropbox or the new process that was stored on Google Docs somehow never managed to migrate back home once it rolled into production. Even if your policy mandates optimum security practices, there’s likely a team out there sourcing all of its files up on Sky Drive because team members don’t understand the implications of free cloud storage. While there are numerous reasons this activity might not be acceptable for your industry. Expect reluctance to share, but with an assurance that you’re not trying to hamper their efforts, but instead working to protect them, you should be able to break down silos. At the very least, get it on record that the offer was made.
They weren’t even covered in the plan. We’ve all experienced the ongoing struggle to align IT with the business, and this is one of the symptoms: The authors of a business continuity plan overlook business-critical processes simply because they didn’t realize they were essential. Can you really blame employees who don’t care about a plan that doesn’t protect them? This is a big issue, and usually these processes aren’t caught until the actual disaster strikes and it’s too late.
Consider it an opportunity for IT alignment outreach. Beat the streets and learn exactly what users are doing to drive company business. Keep track of all vital systems and ask questions, specifically as it would pertain to “what-if” scenarios around your business continuity plan. Yes, it’s easier said than done, but IT needs to stay on top of what’s mission critical this week.
They have their own disaster at home. In the event of a natural disaster, your employees are suffering the same environmental impact as your organization where concerns first and foremost will be about their loved ones and property and their own safety. If your business recovery scenario relies on one or two key individuals who know the passwords and procedures to get systems back online, you’re taking a tremendous gamble that they are going to be able to focus on the needs of the company during a time of crisis.
This is how you can differentiate a good company from a great one. Great companies provide for the creature comforts and work-life balance of their employees. Making sure your staff has what they need to do their jobs is an often-overlooked aspect of business recovery. Ensure that your business continuity plan contains recommendations for emergency housing and food, and arms your employees with everything they need to take care of business — both yours and theirs.
Protecting Your Data
Posted on July 4, 2013
Protecting sensitive data is the end goal of almost all IT security measures. Two strong arguments for protecting sensitive data are to avoid identity theft and to protect privacy.
The improper disclosure of sensitive data can also cause harm and embarrassment to students, faculty, and staff, and potentially harm the reputation of the Institute. Therefore, it is to everyone’s advantage to ensure that sensitive data is protected.
1. Data security is fundamental
Data security is crucial to all academic, medical and business operations at MIT. All existing and new business and data processes should include a data security review to be sure MIT data is safe from loss and secured against unauthorized access.
2. Plan ahead
Create a plan to review your data security status and policies and create routine processes to access, handle and store the data safely as well as archive unneeded data. Make sure you and your colleagues know how to respond if you have a data loss or data breach incident.
3. Know what data you have
The first step to secure computing is knowing what data you have and what levels of protection are required to keep the data both confidential and safe from loss.
4. Scale down the data
Keep only the data you need for routine current business, safely archive or destroy older data, and remove it from all computers and other devices (smart phones, laptops, flash drives, external hard disks).
5. Lock up!
Physical security is the key to safe and confidential computing. All the passwords in the world won’t get your laptop back if the computer itself is stolen. Backup the data to a safe place in the event of loss.
What is your data strategy?
Posted on June 28, 2013
Data growth today is so massive it is staggering. According to Gartner*, in the last minute there were 204 million emails sent, 61,000 hours of music listened to on Pandora, 20 million photo views and 3 million uploads to Flickr, 100,000 tweets, 6 million views and 277,000 Facebook logins, and 2 million plus Google searches.
Every day, more iPhones are sold than babies born.
Data is continuing to grow at an incredible rate. According to IDC’s Predictions 2013: data created and replicated will reach 4 zettabytes in 2013, almost 50 percent more than 2012 volumes.
These figures are staggering.
While these numbers reflect the growth of data on a global scale, the story is the same if you look at enterprise organizations. The average enterprise sees data growth of 40-50 percent each year.
So, what’s driving this incredible growth in data or digital content?
Companies are opening their electronic doors to more interactions with customers, partners and supply chain vendors, which is accelerating data growth on a minute-by-minute basis. Universal access to mobile devices and the ability to access services via the cloud means that more applications are available to many more users than ever before. By default, this creates increased volumes of data. With the consumerization of IT (more specifically BYOD) IT departments now have to find a way to manage a growing amount of data and find a way to separate employees personal data that lives on these devices from the company’s proprietary data. Finally, regulations require companies in many industries to hold onto data for many years. In fact, more highly regulated industries are see a much higher than average data growth rates.
If you are struggling with storage, resources and ways to deal with the current growth and expansion of your technology, turn to the experts at Essential Data Services. As an IBM certified partner, and IT specialists, Essential Data Services can help you find the right data strategy solution to take your organization to the next level. Trust Essential Data to get you on track with the most dependable IBM servers on the market today.
