Should I Move My Business to the Cloud?
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2. Provider Hosted Solution
Most of the companies that we work with have several network requirements fulfilled by the server.
The two most basic are email and file sharing, which we mentioned above. However, most businesses also use a “line-of-business” application.
A few examples of these include QuickBooks, Raiser’s Edge (application used in non-profit organizations), and SigmaCare (application used in the health care industry). Many times, we meet with organizations who are running these critical applications on old, unsupported servers, and we present them with a few options to mitigate that risk.
Obviously, one of those options is to replace the aging server, and reinstall the application on a new server. However, in many instances, these software solutions can now be rented monthly from the manufacturer!
The manufacturers have built hosted cloud versions of their applications, that no longer require you to host these on your own server. The cloud version of these applications are usually almost exactly (if not exactly) the same look, feel, and speed of the local version of the application, but it runs in the cloud, eliminating the need for a server.
Infrastructure-As-A-Service (IAAS)
In some instances, the line-of-business application in use at your firm does not have a SAAS or Provider Hosted Solution.
However, this does not mean that you cannot implement a cloud solution for these applications. There are options where you can build a cloud server, using a cloud hosting solution such as Microsoft Azure or Amazon Web Services.
Once the server is setup in the cloud, the applications can be installed in the same way they were installed in your office, but on the server that is hosted in the cloud. These solutions tend to be a bit costlier, but there are many reasons where this options makes the most sense for your organization.
When considering moving to the cloud, there are a few steps you need to take.
The first is to identify what are your network requirements, specifically file, email, and line-of business applications. The next step is to consider the available options for each of these items (SAAS, Provider Hosted Solution, or IAAS).
Once these have been identified, the conversation should be framed with other considerations including cost, access, availability, stability, offline considerations, and security.
My next article will further discuss these factors, and help you identify if these options will work for you! However, in the meantime, don’t make any decisions to replace that old server just yet!
Related articles:
Death by Cloud, the Explosion of Instances and Mitigation
The Tail Wags the Dog- Death by Cloud- Part 2 [Video]
3 Things to Consider When Moving to the Cloud
How Small Businesses Should Best Play the Cloud
Security and the Cloud: Perils and Protections for Small Business
