Local Vs Hybrid Vs Pure Cloud Computing Solutions

Microsoft online services hit by major failure

 Millions of Microsoft users were left unable to access some online services overnight because of a major service failure. Such a major problem is likely to raise questions about the reliability of cloud computing…Hotmail, Office 365 and Skydrive were among the services affected.
– read the full story here
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-14851455

As a Cloud Service provider Fifosys understands the dilemma SMBs face when making the decision of whether or not to move to the cloud. Companies need to assess their business needs and infrastructure before making a decision. Every company will have their own set of priorities, points of failure and risks they are willing to accept.

There is risk involved in Cloud solutions – but this is heavily outweighed by the benefits

• Reduced Cost and CAPEX investment
Cloud technology is paid incrementally, saving organizations money.
• Increased Storage
Organizations can store more data than on private computer systems.
• Highly Automated
No longer do IT personnel need to worry about keeping software up to date.
• Flexibility
Cloud computing offers much more flexibility than past computing methods.
• Anywhere anytime access
Employees can access information wherever they are, rather than having to remain at their desks.
• Allows IT to Shift Focus
No longer having to worry about constant server updates and other computing issues, government organizations will be free to concentrate on innovation.

Often businesses face Cloud computing as an ‘all or nothing’ decision but there is a third option – A hybrid model. This needs to be managed by a service provider that is able to manage the integration – allowing the business to focus and drive what differentiates them.

Ask your IT Manager what your current backup strategy is?

As part of an effective data disaster recovery plan, businesses should make provisions for the regular backing up and storage of their data. Thanks to the advances in storage and online backup facilities, it is now possible to store a backup of all mission critical data over the Internet often saving time, money, and resources when compared to tape or disk backup facilities. Whether you choose online data backup as a complement to a physical data backup solution or as a standalone service it can prevent the massive data loss associated with various types of disaster.

Data backup should be considered an essential part of running and maintaining a business. Every company and every organisation has data that cannot be easily or quickly replaced and in the event of data loss this can lead to lost revenue, disgruntled clients, and the loss of staff time during the data retrieval process. As well as information that most businesses would consider mission critical, employee information, client information, and project data can also become irretrievable.

Data loss is one of the most damaging events that can happen to any business and is one of the most common reasons for the failure of new small businesses costing companies millions of pounds every single month. Online data backup can usually be established so that data is stored automatically on a regular basis and should the need arise, this information can be quickly and easily retrieved. With daily backups the most your business stands to lose is a single day’s data – still damaging but less so than losing weeks or months of critical information.