CARBONITE: Why your small business should upgrade

Many small businesses use an Internet connection and that works just fine…in a perfect world.

Businesses are nothing without their data.  The risk of a vulnerability like “Heartbleed” makes it so easy for hackers to access information on your computer even though it is encrypted with the HTTPS protocol.

Carbonite’s survey shows that, from saving time and money to utilizing new technologies to streamlining operations, employing cloud solutions greatly benefits small businesses.

The cloud provides:

• Stronger security – A dedicated Ethernet connection offers more security from connecting your business directly to your cloud resources.  Data transfers with SSL encryption and is stored with AES-256 encryption server-side.

• Reliability – An Ethernet connection offers reliable service with better performance than the public Internet.  Your backup is configured automatically and your files are saved.

• Reduced risk –   Ethernet gives you improved security that reduces the risk of potential liability.  The Carbonite Appliance removes duplicate copies opening up storage space and reduces your bandwidth.

• Backup – Backing up to the cloud protects all your important files, protecting you from computer crashes or even theft.  You can customize  your backup, monitor, manage and delete storage as you see fit.

• Virus protection – Computer viruses allow others to access your data and possibly take control of your computer.   Physical, technical, and administrative safeguards are placed to ensure the confidentiality and security of your data.

• Recovery – In any disastrous situation you have access to recover your files and even have it shipped to your door.  You can recover your data to a new or existing hardware by using the adaptive restore feature.

---

If you are still not sure why you should switch to Carbonite, this Infographic might help you decide.

If you are ready for the cloud or if you need more information on how the cloud can help your small business, we can help.  619-325-0990

Don’t miss out on the latest tech news and computer security alerts! Follow us on Twitter at @hyphenet,  “Like” us on Facebook or add us to your circle on Google+.

---

References:
Carbonite
http://www.carbonite.com/
Infographic provided by:
http://www.bigwigdesign.com/
Commissioned by PCW Content Words

What is Cloud Computing and why does your small business need it?

http://www.hyphenet.com/blog/cloud-computing-for-your-small-business/

Cloud computing is a way to increase capabilities on the fly without investing in a new infrastructure, training new personnel, or licensing new software.

Small businesses benefit from Cloud computing by not having to deploy physical infrastructure like file and e-mail servers, storage systems or shrink-wrapped software.

Cloud computing is a broad umbrella that includes Software-as-a-Service where a specific application or service is offered to a customer as a subscription.  Dropbox, Salesforce.com, and QuickBooks are all examples of SaaS.

SaaS provides a way of delivering a host of software and technical services that would usually be cost-prohibitive and difficult to manage as on-premise, local solutions.

Cloud computing has come a long way and is now mainstream technology for businesses.

The cloud does for IT as UPS and Federal Express did for the shipping industry.

Cloud computing capabilities deliver a plethora of network technology.

Small businesses are most likely to not have an IT staff or technical in-house expert.  Some companies don’t even know how to ask about their company’s tech infrastructure.

Joining the cloud can help reduce these stress of all the IT stuff.

 

In The Cloud

The different types of models of cloud are: Public, private, community and hybrid.

• Public cloud is available to the general public over the Internet.  It’s a “game changer” for small businesses and gives them access to enterprise-level applications.
• Private cloud is within a corporate firewall.  It is reserved for larger companies that have their own IT staff and data centers.
• Community cloud is shared between different organizations.  It’s a multi-tenant infrastructure with a pay-as-you-go billing structure.
• Hybrid cloud is a combination of the three.  This cloud addresses configuration management, change control, security and budgeting.

SaaS (Software as a Service) is predominantly used for office productivity like email, work processing, number crunching, and online file sharing.

IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service) functions like storage and computing.  It is used to store intellectual property like documents, drawings, applications and code proprietary to a business.

PaaS (Platform as a Service) is used to develop and run a website in the cloud or build applications.
There is a huge opportunity for growth of a small business when using cloud services.

Cloud computing encompasses subscription-based or pay-per-use service, that in real time or over the Internet, extends IT’s existing capabilities.

Cloud computing is still at an early stage, with a crew of providers large and small.  It delivers not only cloud-based services from storage to spam filtering but presents a utility-style infrastructure for your business.

Contact Hyphenet today to learn more about how to take your small business to the cloud.  619-325-0990

Don’t miss out on the latest tech news and computer security alerts! Follow us on Twitter at @hyphenet,  “Like” us on Facebook or add us to your circle on Google+.


References:
What Is The Cloud? (And Why Small Businesses Need To Care) – HuffingtonPost
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/06/amex-what-is-the-cloud-and-why_n_3964066.html
What cloud computing really means – Infoworld
http://www.infoworld.com/d/cloud-computing/what-cloud-computing-really-means-031?page=0,1
20 Top Cloud Services for Small Businesses – PC Magazine
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2361500,00.asp

Hybrid Cloud Solutions

The Hybrid Cloud provides users the benefit of on demand access to IT resources for new application development.

 

The vCloud Hybrid Service, built on VMware technology that many organizations are familiar with in virtual environments, that deliver a secure, dedicated infrastructure.  This infrastructure-as-a-service hybrid cloud makes moving applications to the cloud easy and adaptable.

Moving to hybrid cloud depends on the workload of your small to medium size business.

 

Packaged Applications

IT departments have difficulty meeting on-demand business changes.  The challenge can be solved by moving packaged applications, like email or collaborative software to the hybrid cloud.  The vCloud Hybrid Service supports applications and operating systems certified to run on vSphere.

This allows users to transfer applications and doesn’t need re-coding or re-configuration.  There is no loss of security or performance with the internal data center.

 

Web/E-commerce

Web and e-commerce application developers require proper compliance and tools that facilitate dynamic resources.
vCloud Hybrid Service delivers a very cost-effective, secure scalable platform for the deployment of web and e-commerce applications.
Users can move their existing IT policies to meet all security and comply to control requirements.

 

Backup/Archiving/Storage

If something goes wrong like a technical failure, a lack of backup may be critical for your business.  The vCloud Hybrid Service built on vSphere, offers automated replication, monitoring, and many features.

If the service is disrupted, the public cloud offers a safeguard for the business asset.

 

Enterprise IT/Outsourced Data Center

There is a high demand for data center space.  Organizations that explore outsourcing their data center are burdened with heavy costs.

An option, is to increase capacity to move to a hybrid cloud solution.

 

Development/QA/Test

Development and test applications are commonly moved to the cloud due to the cost of savings.  The vCloud Hybrid Service delivers a platform that reduces the need for developers to learn new skills and focus on their work only.

Cloud applications offer security, performance, and have all the necessary requirements for software applications.

All of these capabilities are designed to make it easier to run applications with high performance and high resiliency.  

Give us a call at 619-325-0990, so we can help you merge your company to the cloud!


Don’t miss out on the latest tech news and computer security alerts! Follow us on Twitter at @hyphenet,  “Like” us on Facebook or add us to your circle on Google+.

References:

Use Cases for Moving to a Hybrid Cloud Solution – VMWare Blog
https://blogs.vmware.com/smb/2014/01/use-cases-for-moving-to-a-hybrid-cloud-solution…

Cisco’s Intercloud could change the Internet

Cisco Systems‘ “Intercloud” platform  encompasses both Cisco data centers and its partners.

The platform can be combined with remote-computing technology and connect to regional and global data centers.

The OpenStack based system is able to handle any workload on a hypervisor and work with any public or private cloud.

Cisco is planning on investing $1 billion in its cloud business over the next two years, and allowing cloud services to be sold directly to customers through channel partners.

Cisco is also working on combining its Linux platform with IOx on rugged routers, to be placed on ships, rail cars, electrical grids and other hard-to-reach locations.

When this change happens, a cargo ship can monitor whether the containers on board have shifted en route or the temperature has reached its maximum hot and cold limits.

The real time data is sent to a center anywhere in the world with a narrowband satellite link, said Guido Jouret, Vice President and General Manager of Cisco’s Internet of Things Business Unit.

Right now, there is no way to use that kind of information until the ship is in port.  A specialized Cisco router on the ship would be able to collect the sensor data over the onboard wireless network, analyze it, and share the information over a fast cellular network after it comes into port.

The IOx will start being shipped by May in the Cisco CGR1240, a weather-proofed router for outdoor use.

Companies will be able to code their own interfaces to their specialized networks and write Linux-based applications to run on Cisco’s hardened routers.  The IOx is also coming to Cisco switches and cameras for field use.

The combination of the IOx and the Intercloud, with networks of software-defined in between, Cisco says it can make sure computing and communication will work as needed across a far-flung infrastructure.

IT administrators distributing computing across the core and edge will guarantee data delivery between them.

“You’re now controlling the highways. You could reprogram or reconfigure the links between your clouds to enforce security or quality of service, whereas in the regular public Internet, you cannot,” Jouret said.

Cisco’s Intercloud will feature APIs for application development and a new line of cloud services for the channel.

A key point for the Intercloud is scalability and full compliance with local data sovereignty laws.  A challenge Cisco is face with revolves around too many workloads being put on personal credit cards.

65,000 channel partners will have the opportunity to get involved with this platform.  IT departments often have no idea on what assets they have, no security for their corporate data, no audit trails, and no compliance.

Cisco’s market strategy with the Intercloud will involve a Cisco brand offering, a Cisco branded offering for the reseller channel, and a co-branded effort with Cisco and the channel partner with a white label model.  This will allow a solution provider to put their own brand on it.

The Intercloud will take storage networking from 6-8 weeks to 15 minutes, virtualizing more than 92%  data center environment.

The global reach, rapid business service delivery, and analytics capability will put so much value on the Intercloud.

This will be the first truly open, hybrid cloud.

The anticipated cloud market for Cisco and partners could reach from $22 billion to $88 billion in the next 3 years.

Telstra, Allstream, Ingram Micro, Logicalis Group, OnX Managed Services, and Wipro are giving their support for the Cisco Intercloud.

What kind of impact do you think the Intercloud will have?  Please leave your comments below!

Don’t miss out on the latest tech news and computer security alerts! Follow us on Twitter at @hyphenet,  “Like” us on Facebook or add us to your circle on Google+.

References:

Cisco’s Intercloud could supercharge its Internet of things plans – InfoWorld Cloud Computing
http://www.infoworld.com/d/cloud-computing/ciscos-intercloud-could-supercharge-its-internet…
Cisco introduces billion dollar Intercloud – CDN
http://www.computerdealernews.com/news/cisco-introduces-billion-dollar-intercloud…

How Cloud Computing Can Reduce your HR Burden in 2014

A cloud-based system can tremendously improve your HR work efficiency.  From paperwork organization, to requests and approvals, the cloud will keep your information current and up-to-date.

Already in the cloud?

Some businesses may not be in ‘The Cloud’ yet, but over 75% of businesses are either already in the cloud or looking to move into it.  Some businesses don’t know what ‘The Cloud is, but are already using it.

If you are a Facebook, Twitter, or an online shopper, you are actually more familiar to the cloud than you already know. They are all using cloud computing.  HR is moving to the cloud for instant access and its easy to use service.

So you’re probably wondering how The Cloud can reduce your HR burden in 2014?

Benefits of the cloud

The key benefits of using a cloud HR solution for a small business is that there is no need for pricy installments.  There are monthly subscription payments that are more affordable for small and thriving companies.



Moving your HR processes to the cloud gives your organization greater agility, utilizing the latest technology without any major changes to your infrastructure.  Using SaaS will reduce your cost and allows you to pay for what you need.

Using cloud HR can simplify workflows, reduce extra costs and enhance the way information is reported.  This enables HR staff to spend their time much more proactively with the support needed.

This is how the cloud will help you become more efficient at work:

• No more wall-planners, paper forms and complicated Excel spreadsheets: Seamless electronic data capture eliminates paperwork and re-keying.
• Self-service eliminates the paperwork involved with basic HR processes, allowing employees to request absence, update key personal information and request training.
• Full view of HR data: From salary, accident, and injury, all records stored electronically in the cloud can be accessed easily and searched within seconds.

Please visit our Services page to see how we can help you migrate to The Cloud!

Are you already in the cloud?  Please share with us your experience, we would like to know what you think!

Don’t miss out on the latest tech news and computer security alerts! Follow us on Twitter at @hyphenet,  “Like” us on Facebook or add us to your circle on Google+



References:
How cloud-based systems can reduce your HR burden in 2014 – Cloud Computing Tech News
http://www.cloudcomputing-news.net/blog-hub/2014/jan/15/how-cloud-based-systems-can-reduce…/

By 2015 One in Four Cloud Providers will be gone

Gartner research firm is predicting a considerable unification in cloud services and estimates around 25% of the top 100 IT service providers in the groundwork will not be around by 2015.

“One in four vendors will be gone for whatever reason — acquisition, bankruptcy,” said William Maurer, a Gartner analyst.

We are in the era of buyer beware with cloud, there’s no safety net.

Large vendors are a safer option because of the costs cuts.

It is said, there is a 50% perceived risk of using cloud-based solutions. 33% saw “somewhat” of a risk, and 12% express the sense of a small risk.

Gartner also predicts that a segment of organizations using cloud services will reach to 80% by the end of the year.




Cloud computing services used to be viewed as an alternative for large enterprises. The rapid rate of technology and evolution over the past 12 months show it is inevitable around cloud migration.
Solutions for security, privacy, and data sovereignty are a concern.

OffShoring

Cloud has some parallels with the migration of offshoring. Risks and challenges around offshoring build angst and political heat.  The idea of companies data streaming to other countries shows concern for security.

Offshoring  to other countries is an alternative method used for resources very popular with technical and administrative service support.

Due to many concerns, the lack of onshore skills, costs, and the need to rebuild controls,  a new “normal” has come with a considerable bulk of IT and business processes migrated offshore.

Offshoring may be the help Cloud services need to stay afloat.

If your not aware of what Cloud Computing is here is an Infographic to help you out.

Source link via : Mashable.com

Be sure to follow us on Twitter at @hyphenet or “Like” us on Facebook to stay up-to-date on the latest computer security threats.


References:

Cloud debate now about speed and sophistication – CIO
http://www.cio.com.au/article/533970/cloud_debate_now_about_speed_sophistication/

One in four cloud providers will be gone by 2015 – ComputerWorld
http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9244694/One_in_four_cloud_providers_will_be_gone_by_2015