Should You Move Your Data to the Cloud? 

There has been much talk recently about “the cloud.” In a nutshell, the cloud is simply another name for the internet. Cloud computing has taken shape in a variety of ways. It can be networks, servers, applications, data storage and services – which the end user has on-demand access to and are hosted (stored) in the cloud. These resources can be provided with minimal management or service provider interaction and usually require no expensive on-premises hardware to install and support. Cloud computing is a technology that uses the internet and central remote servers to maintain data and applications. Cloud computing allows consumers and businesses to use applications without installation and access their personal files at any computer with internet access. This technology allows for much more efficient computing by centralizing storage, memory, processing and bandwidth.

Additionally, the cloud can provide the user with a far greater range of applications and services. It used to cost business quite a bit in order to have a fully functional Microsoft Exchange server on premises, even with the advent of SBS, Exchange was always costly to install, license, manage and backup and thus many business ended up opting for cheaper hosted webmail usually in the form of POP access. This left much to be desired as the POP mail protocol did not fully support multiple devices and users were left with calendars stored on their local machines with no access on the go. The cloud enables users and business scalable and tailored services that were once not available. The cloud and its services are most beneficial to the small to medium business (SMB) market.

Are you interested in cloud computing?

Tech Tripp is your cloud computing specialist. Tech Tripp is a Microsoft Partner in Cloud Computing and Online Services to provide you with Office 365, Lync Online, Exchange Forefront Protection, Windows Intune, and more. We also partner with Google to provide you access to their products such as Google Apps for Business and Google Docs. We also provide cloud services like DropBox for Teams, Meraki cloud based security appliances and wireless controllers, hosted SaaS, like Clio, HoudiniESQ, or RocketMatter for law firms and Practice Fusion / Kareo  for medical professionals, and much more. Cloud based computing is growing every day. If you are considering upgrading your server or purchasing another server it is in your best interest to consider if cloud computing is right for you. Check out a few of the cloud computing benefits:

• Reduced IT costs – Companies don’t have to buy a set of software or software licenses for every employee. Instead, the company could pay a metered fee to a cloud computing company.
• Scalability – Cloud computing systems give organizations company-wide access to computer applications. Clients would be able to access their applications and data from anywhere at any time.
• Instant access to new technologies – Cloud computing allows companies that rent server space the option of storing data on someone else’s hardware, removing the need for physical space and allowing instant access to new servers and space at the click of a mouse. No more waiting weeks for a new server to delivered from the vendor. Cloud computing allows for almost instant access to new technologies from your cloud computing provider.
• More flexible working practices – Data isn’t confined to a hard drive on one user’s computer or even a corporation’s internal network. Thus enabling access from laptops, desktops, and mobile devices like iPhones and iPads.
• Enterprise-level back-up – Companies offering cloud computing services live and die by their reputations. It benefits these companies to have reliable security and backup measures in place. Otherwise, the service would lose all its clients. It’s in their interest to employ the most advanced techniques to protect their clients’ data.
• Access from anywhere – No more VPN or Remote Desktop with cloud computing and SaaS (software as a service) your access to your data is global.
• No expensive hardware – Servers and digital storage devices take up space and cost money to install, configure and maintain. Cloud computing allows companies that rent server space the option of storing data on someone else’s hardware, removing the need for physical space.
• and more…

Cloud computing isn’t a trend, it isn’t just a buzzword it’s a real way to reduce IT overhead, provide greater access to your information and spend less time dealing with computers and more time generating revenue. Ask us how we can help!