Top 5 Questions About Cloud Solutions For SMB’s

Over the past 5 years of providing cloud solutions to our clients we have found that the same questions are commonly asked that we have summarized below.

1. Is my data and systems secure in the cloud?- The answer is yes,  Virtualization technology is what makes the cloud run, which is inherently safer than a traditional server environment.

• A virtual server can hold 7x as much as a traditional server
• Fewer points of entry into your network for malicious intent
• Fewer servers to monitor, making it easier to access and fix a security breach
• See server redundancy question for additional security benefits

2.   How do you backup our data in the cloud?

• Backups are frequent and automated.
•  There is no human error element, that for example “Bob” from IT was sick today and no else changed the tapes. Back-ups are sent digitally offsite to another location. This means your data is better protected against natural and man-made disasters, like hurricanes, fire or theft.
• Data/System recovery is much faster.  If something were to happen to your data in the cloud, that data can easily be recovered and brought back online

3.  Is there server redundancy in the cloud?

• What is redundancy? Having a computer system or network device that takes over when the primary unit fails.
• Redundancy is built into the virtualization technology itself.
• If one system goes down it automatically rolls to a new one.
• With the Cloud SMB’s have access to a technology that in the past has been complex and expensive.
• Business is up and running 100% of the time, equaling no loss in revenue or employee productivity.

4.  Can my legacy applications run in the Cloud? Yes, the cloud actually preserves legacy applications they are ideal candidates to move to The Cloud.

• Many legacy applications are built and only run on outdated technology.  If a problem or upgrade is needed for the application it is very expensive or impossible to move or upgrade the technology.
• By installing a “copy” of the application and server onto virtualized server in the Cloud, it allows it to run in a faster and less volatile technology platform.

5. How do cloud solutions cut energy cost?

• Virtualization, the technology that runs the cloud is 60% more energy efficient than traditional servers.
• Virtualized servers can be < 80% utilized. Versus traditional servers at 25%-30% utilized. Fewer servers are needed = less energy used.
• Using a Hosted Cloud Solution you could see a 30%-40% reduction in your electric bill

What questions do you have about the Cloud? Let us know!

How Is Server Redundancy Easier In The Cloud?

Many times Sun Digital is asked “how does server redundancy work in the cloud” and “is it easier to ensure our IT systems have not down time?”  This is usually asked by an IT person but there is a benefit to IT, as well as to the overall business and owner

First, what is redundancy for those of you non-IT people? According to PC magazine redundancy is having a secondary peripheral, computer system or network device that takes over when the primary unit fails. There are benefits and drawbacks of redundancy solution for both traditional servers v. the Cloud, here are.

Its great to know what your options are but the fact is, that most small and medium sized businesses (prior to the cloud) had no true redundancy solution deployed because of the expense and complex nature of such a solution. With Cloud Solution technology, the world of redundancy has changed and is in a sense built in to the technology itself.

For the IT person this means IF something happens to the server it does not take days or weeks to bring IT systems back online.

For the business owner (and IT), they have a cost effective technology solution that keeps their business up and running 100% of the time, which equals no loss in revenue or employee productivity.

Sun Digital has been helping businesses keep their business up and running with our cloud solutions and we can help you too.

How Do Cloud Solutions Cut Energy Costs?

By now I’m sure you have heard or read that the cloud makes your business more agile, available and reduces cost.  What many people forget about is how the cloud can also help them cut their energy costs.  Cloud solutions can cut energy costs in 4 ways but the level of reduction really depends on the type of cloud and/or the applications running in the cloud.

1. The Virtualization technology that runs the cloud and is 60% more energy efficient than a traditional server.
2. Virtualized servers can be up to 80% utilized, versus a traditional server which is at best 25%-30% utilized. Meaning you will need fewer servers for your business.  Less servers = Less Energy Consumption!
3. Cutting energy cost can further be reduced by 30%-40% (your monthly electric bill) with Cloud solutions when you are considering a public, hybrid, hosted cloud solution.  With these cloud solutions, businesses can partially or completely eliminate onsite servers, thereby reducing the energy cost associated with maintaining them.
4. Cloud solutions utilizing a virtualized cloud environment, are able to use “thin client” desktop computers for employees.  Thin Clients are 70% more energy efficient that a traditional desktop computers and used only to access the files and applications in The Cloud,

Sun Digital uses a cloud cost savings calculator that accurately calculates, all of the costs as well as savings for hosted and private cloud solutions that helps, you the business owner, make the best possible cloud solution decision.