BNMC Blog
Business is moving faster than it ever has and a lot of that uptick in productivity comes from the speed of the computing networks that are being used. Cloud computing is a big benefit for most businesses because it extends the reach of the business outside the confines of the brick and mortar place of business. Today, we’ll look at some of the major benefits that cloud computing brings to the modern small business.
We always recommend cloud platforms to our clients, especially those who need a central place to host important data and applications. However, it is possible to go too far when implementing cloud services. We’ll discuss how you can monitor your cloud computing costs, as well as how access to cloud solutions can be a detriment to your organization.
Cloud computing has taken the business world by storm. It wasn’t so long ago that businesses had to pay in-house technicians good money to design, research, and purchase all the hardware needed to run an onsite server. This is an expensive endeavor, and for a small business may not always be at the top of a list of priorities. Today, cloud computing can solve that problem (and many more), but if you don’t closely manage your cloud costs, it can end up wasting capital. Today, we will look at cloud computing’s tendency for organizations to go overboard on their cloud offerings.
Cloud computing provides a great deal of benefits for many businesses due to its constant availability, pricing structure, and its penchant for being the most easily scalable computing platform. It offers a lot of options that can help an organization control its computing costs when they are constantly fluctuating the amount of resources they need.
Many businesses have already used the cloud to great success, but others might not even know where to start. The thing is, the cloud has so many features and potential solutions that organizations who don’t know where to start might be overwhelmed by the possibilities. Today, we’ll look at some specific benefits offered by cloud-hosted solutions and services.
The cloud has made so many services accessible that it can be difficult to isolate one in particular your organization can benefit from. Nonetheless, we’ve tried to narrow it down a bit, and it’s clear that Voice over Internet Protocol is a solution that all businesses can benefit from for one specific reason. Let’s dig in to why VoIP is such a great tool to use in the cloud, particularly in regard to the argument of hosted vs on-site VoIP.
The cloud is perhaps one of the single most important developments to happen to the modern workforce, changing the way that many organizations function and access resources. Some use it for access to crucial applications that are needed to keep their businesses running, while others might use it to host critical parts of their IT infrastructures, such as desktops or server hardware. Unfortunately, some organizations use too much of the cloud, leading to wasted costs on their part. We’re here to help you keep the cloud from turning into an asset sink for your organization.
The cloud has revolutionized the way that businesses approach computing. Companies can implement solutions in a flexible and accessible model that makes it much easier to take advantage of technology solutions. Yet, you should know that not all clouds are the same, and you can’t treat them as such. Here are four questions that you need to ask your cloud provider about the services that you’ve been rendered.
By now, business owners are well aware of the many ways cloud computing can benefit their organization, such as providing increased mobility and flexibility. Despite the tantalizing list of benefits the cloud presents, some business owners may still be hesitant to switch to the cloud due to one major factor: the perceived lack of cost savings. Well, thanks to a recent study by John Burke, analyst and CIO of Nemertes Research, there’s new evidence showing how hosting workloads in the cloud is more cost-effective than the alternative, hosting operations on-premise.
A short time ago, cloud computing was a resource that was only taken advantage of by organizations that could afford to virtualize and manage their hosted platforms. Nowadays, many businesses, including startups, are using cloud computing for their organization’s primary computing functions. As this enormous shift happened, many of the world’s largest companies have pushed their cloud platforms forward to offer secure storage, software deployment, and even communications for organizations that are either just starting out, or are looking to reduce their capital computing and support costs.
Businesses need to take this question seriously, as the slightest hiccup can cost your business significantly. Old equipment can have a direct impact on your company’s operations. An employee might be suffering with issues or a slow, unresponsive computer each and every day, limiting their potential. There’s always the possibility that the hardware can fail unexpectedly, but there’s also the risk of replacing perfectly fine technology that might still have some use left. For your mission-critical technology systems, it’s best to have the expert opinion of IT professionals to fall back on. Consulting technicians is a small expense compared to the immense costs associated with wasting money on faulty or unnecessary IT solutions, and the result is an infrastructure that’s designed specifically for your business’s needs and budget.
For example, BNMC can provide quality consultation that can help your organization make educated decisions about utilizing cloud computing. By now, we’re sure that you’ve heard about the leaps and bounds made by cloud computing technology. By allowing companies to access important data anytime and anywhere, and equipping employees with powerful collaboration tools, the cloud is paving the way for innovations in communication, data access, and so much more. However, knowing about the cloud and knowing how to upgrade to the cloud are two completely different matters.
There are several different ways to take advantage of cloud computing with your business model. You can invest heavily in it by migrating all of your data to the cloud, or you can replace your hosted legacy software with cloud-based applications. Another great use of the cloud is equipping your in-house network with cloud computing hardware that helps you achieve greater mobility, while retaining control over your data. When implementing a new cloud solution, it can help to first assess your current computing needs.
Here are just a few things that our IT technicians look for when determining if an organization needs to upgrade their technology.
- Hardware quality: If your workplace is always having to deal with run-down, faulty computer equipment, then you want to upgrade your technology before it can cause any further damage. In this particular case, it would be most beneficial to upgrade to the cloud due to the lower price of stripped-down thin clients. By connecting thin clients to the cloud, they can be just as effective as a fully loaded workstation. On a related note, it’s important to consider a machine’s peripherals, like upgrading to USB 3.1.
- Operating systems: Some organizations tend to cling to their favorite operating system long after its manufacturer pulls the plug on it. Two classic examples of this are Windows XP and Windows Server 2000. Without the necessary patches and security updates, outdated operating systems can quickly become both a liability and a risk. If you’re still using outdated software, then you’re in prime condition for a technology refresh. If you want to make updating your desktops as easy as possible, the cloud can be a great tool for remote monitoring and maintenance.
- Legacy applications: The latest version of an application can provide a significant benefit, but only if you make sure that you won’t break your infrastructure by making an upgrade. It’s important that you look into what is required of your legacy application before making a hardware change or a shift to the cloud. As explained by InformationWeek: “Application upgrades that run locally on PC hardware also influence whether or not you should upgrade PC hardware for your end-users. If an application upgrade requires a significant boost in memory, processing, or graphics power, it may be the primary factor in deciding to upgrade.”
The answer for how you should approach the cloud and tech upgrades is clear: call BNMC at (978) 482-2020.