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- Many legacy applications are built and only run on outdated technology.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!