Cloud Network Migration is the Wave of the Future

cloud network migration is the wave of the future

Having all of your personal, or business files on your computers hard drive takes up a lot of space. Most people run out of their computers hard drive space eventually. One option is to set up your own network, but that is difficult and time consuming. Migrating your files to a secure cloud based service is the wave of the future.

When you take part in cloud network migration, you’re migrating your files from your computer, onto a cloud. A cloud is a server center where files are stored, processed, and shared through, rather than a local network.

Why should you choose to use the cloud? First of all, it is much more convenient than having your own server in your work space or home. That can take up a lot of money, and space. When you use a cloud, you don’t have to host the network, and someone else monitors it for you. It takes the stress off of you, but still leaves you with the advantage of storing your files onto a network. If you were previously just using the hard drives in your office’s computers, then you know how hard it is to manage space. Hard drives only have so much space. Clouds have much more room to store data onto.

Some people are worried about clouds not being secure. This isn’t true. Clouds are just as secure as your very own network would be, and they’re often even more secure.

One thing you can do to minimize the chance of a hacker getting into your files is creating a password that is very hard to guess. Make it case sensitive, with numbers, and as long as you’d like. Remember, the harder the better, because it’s being used to protect your files.
Altogether, getting your files onto a cloud network can be very helpful. Clouds are just as secure as your own network, and it also takes the stress off of you to manage a network. Migrate your files to a cloud today!

Why There Should Be No Fear of Completely Cloud-Based Operations

Scared-of-the-cloud

In a Computer Weekly round table featuring IT executives discussing the most important transformations occurring in data centers, UK CIO at City broker ICAP Jack Scard-Morgan, had the following to say about cloud computing:

“There are 20 different definitions of what cloud is and we have different comfort zones of what we are happy to put in the cloud, but we are all using some sort of software-as-a-service.”

This encapsulates current attitudes towards cloud computing very well; many companies have hesitations about cloud solutions based upon factors as diverse as performance, security, training, and in some cases the classic “if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it” mentality. However, the benefits in terms of agility and potential cost saving with a cloud network migration are too great to ignore, meaning that we will be hard-pressed to find an enterprise that is not leveraging at least one SaaS solution.

However, a growing number of startups are rolling out entire operations onto IaaS/PaaS platforms. Organizations such as Netflix have shown that it is possible to run a stable, world-class service organization almost entirely from a cloud platform, and this arrangement is now becoming more of a default option than an overtly risky venture.

Of course, this does not mean that there are no considerations to be made with cloud platforms. An organization has to be able to trust the security guarantees of the vendor, relinquish some of the control that comes with complete ownership of infrastructure, and make sure that its business model accounts for all recurring costs of cloud services. However, we are rapidly seeing that some of the greatest fears with these platforms are often exaggerated.

This also does not imply that every business needs a cloud migration just for its own sake. Not all business models nor functions map over very well to cloud services. However, this fact happens to tie into the cloud philosophy very well; there is value gained in mixing and matching the best available solutions for specific business needs and lowering the barriers to entry in leveraging them.

What You Need to Know About Hybrid Cloud Security and Other Risks

what you need to know about hybrid cloud security and other risks

According to a report published by Gartner, the cloud is about to transition into a prolonged phase towards mainstream adoption. Its “hype” bubble, which affects all burgeoning technologies before they are fully embraced, burst somewhere in the midpoint of 2012. 2013 is considered a critical year for hybrid clouds and they are are an important consideration for businesses because they are still parsing out which functions can be exposed to the risks of public cloud and which are best left private.

In the general case this will mean gradual cloud network migration as the risks are vetted by one by one. Some of the challenges hybrid cloud introduces are in compliance, security management, and meeting service-level agreements (SLA).

Compliance

High-stakes enterprises benefit from implementing hybrid cloud solutions, but they must also remain compliant with regulations such as PCI and HIPAA. Maintaining compliance with such standards using cloud systems is not as inherently onerous as some would think – in fact they were designed to be platform-agnostic. For example, if requirements such as a firewalls or encryption of personal data are in place, it does not matter what technology or architecture is used to implement them.

However, with a hybrid cloud data moves with relative ease between public and private, meaning that there are additional points of scrutiny adding to the challenge of compliance. Not only must the public and private components of the solution be up to standard, the coordination between the two must be compliant as well.

Security Management

In order to manage the security of a network, multiple controls must be in place such as authentication and credentials. Hybrid cloud introduces the complication that these security items may need to be replicated on both the public and private side, meaning potential skew and additional points by which access may be compromised.

SLA Issues

Public cloud providers go out of their way to make good on SLA promises of uptime that exceeds 99% and approaches perfect availability. However, when an organization mixes public cloud with private cloud, it must account for the fact that it may not be able to meet such an SLA from the private side and should craft its agreements realistically.

For more on the risks and challenges of cloud network migration, contact a trusted cloud solution provider.

Moving Your Business to the Cloud

moving your business to the cloud

Making the switch to cloud computing is both a painless and effective move that is crucial to your businesses productivity and efficiency. You will see vast improvements in your day to day operations when you utilize our cloud computing solutions and here is why.

Collaboration

Through cloud computing employees can share and edit projects simultaneously with real-time collaboration. Our cloud-based customer relationship software lets you collect and manage client information and generate new leads without the headache of having to install software and make constant upgrades on all your workstations.

Increased Security and Availability

Your data is only as safe as your infrastructure. Encrypted cloud storage protects your sensitive business data and documents from virtual attacks and allows you to access them from virtually anywhere!

Savings

Cloud computing will save your business money in different ways. Did you know that a cloud network can reduce your energy use by up to 87%?

We can offer your business a cloud-based service that will improve your work flow. Some of solutions include:

iceCRM – A cloud based customer relationship management. This service is accessible 24/7 from any device in any location! This service is customized and tailored specifically for your business, enabling you to manage your daily business needs!

Zarafa – Our collaborative cloud based email groupware. Zarafa has all the benefits of big name email services such as Microsoft Outlook, but is only half the price!

ASK4Cloud – One of the most secure and reliably cloud drives available to small and medium size businesses. You are enabled to sync files, backup multiple folders and have unlimited access anywhere, even on your mobile device! Your cloud is located on a private cloud server and can be re-branded to your company name. Your name, your data, safe and secured.

ASK4Backup – We provide our clients complete cloud based data recovery and business continuity programs. All of your sensitive and crucial business documents and data can be stored and backed up through cloud computing and you’ll never have to worry about losing a document again!

10 Reasons to Go Paperless

10 reasons to go paperless

Managing a business looks much different now than it did a decade ago. As the world becomes increasingly more digital every day, businesses must adapt in order to stay relevant to its employees and customers.

One way to leverage the potential of technology is to migrate your business to a cloud network. This is a dramatic shift away from how business used to be done, but its benefits are many.

Speed

When documents are centralized in a cloud environment, information can be transferred and shared instantly. Interoffice mail envelopes are dependent on the pickup schedule; this system is antiquated and can be easily replaced with a paperless system.

Cost Savings

The Return on Investment (ROI) is significant when you take into consideration the cost of implementing a cloud-based system over annual expenses for paper and printer supplies.

Eliminates Redundancy

We all know what happens where someone prints a memo or other document and finds an error or a necessary amendment – that paper is thrown in the trash and an updated replacement is printed. This creates excessive printing and can cause confusion when employees are receiving multiple versions of the same document. Since cloud documents are retrieved from a central location, they can be updated instantly without creating redundant copies.

Collaboration

Cloud documents can be easily shared and, depending on the system, can even be updated synchronously by multiple employees. Real-time collaboration can take place even when the project spans multiple offices.

Environmentally Friendly

Every company wants to be environmentally friendly but it can result in considerable financial strain. Purchasing products made from recycled materials tend to be more costly and may be of a lower quality. Also, arranging pickup of recyclable waste from your office may also incur additional fees. A paperless environment eliminates these costs, allowing your company to reinvest in ways that will truly improve performance and customer satisfaction.

Accessibility

Data stored in the cloud is accessible at anytime from anywhere. This is ideal for employees who travel or for those who need to access information from a mobile device. This also makes employees more accountable since work can be easily monitored.

Easy to Audit

No one likes an unexpected visit from the IRS, but a searchable cloud system makes it easy to retrieve invoices, receipts, and reports. This same feature can be used for internal audits.

Security

Once a document is printed, it is only as secure as the file cabinet where it is stored. Cloud storage can be encrypted to protect from virtual attacks while still allowing easy and safe access for those who need it.

Centralized Resources

Organizational management is easy with cloud systems since all templates and related materials can be stored in a centralized location.

Disaster Recovery

If you have ever had the misfortune of dealing with a fire, flood, or other natural disaster, you know how chaotic it is to recover important documents and records. With disaster recovery, since cloud data is stored remotely, this is no longer a concern.

Let AE Technology Group assist you with your business’s cloud migration. We provide online common data solutions and business applications that are accessible from a web browser. We can customize a solution that fits your needs. Contact us to learn about the benefits of cloud network migration.