by Chas Arnold

There are many good reasons to transition your IT into the cloud. But there is one primary reason the cloud has become so popular - it simplifies your business model. All the other benefits are auxiliary to the fact that you’ll no longer have to buy hardware, software licensing and service to maintain the whole setup in house. All the assets end up on your balance sheet, and then you have to pay taxes on them and worry about depreciating them over time. The new way of thinking in the New Normal economy means businesses should be doing everything they can to get out of the data center business. After all, once you outsource the IT part of your business, you’ll receive even better services such as:

More Security

When you outsource your data, applications and support to a cloud provider, it will be located in building that’s hardened for environmental disasters. They are designed to withstand tornadoes, earthquakes and fires. For fires, they have state of the art prevention and suppression systems to help minimize risk. Flexible cages and thick concrete walls ensure seismic and weather related activities have minimal effect within the confines of the data center.

High-end data centers have 24/7/365 day manned security accompanied with video surveillance. They typically have multiple kinds of biometric security scanners like fingerprint readers and retina scanners for physical access.

More Redundancy

Within the cloud providers data center, there are multiple copies of your data. At all times, there is a usuallya minimum of 3 backups with 2 being on-site and another in a separate off-site data center. Each server contains dozens of hard drives via SANs (Storage Area Networks) that are replicated in an striped array for both speed and data integrity. Whole servers that contain multiple hard drives are cloned throughout the day, so in the event of a whole server crash, a replica server will simply takeover where the other server left off.

More Availability

Cloud providers have high-end, independent power sources that can take over in the event of an outage. They store fuel on-site and test systems at least monthly to ensure proper operations. Even the power backup has backups. There are multiple power substations on separate utility grids feeding into the data center to ensure power is always being delivered and to handle the transitions between utility and generator power. Multiple power feeds means there is never an interruption in power internally. Externally, they allow power to be switched between UPS modules, generators, and Utility power ensuring constant up-time.

More Mobility

Whether you are connected to wireless in flight or in your office, moving into the cloud means everyone is working remotely all the time. An employee in Florida has the same capabilities as someone in your office in Atlanta. The cloud gives you the ability to use your data anywhere AND on any device. An employee can run all of your applications on their iPad, at 30,000 ft. altitude while flying.

Outsource All Of Your IT Plumbing

The cloud is a new paradimg in which you can simplify your business while also making dramatic improvements to your technology capabilities. Through simplifying, you gain the ability to create a major competitive advantage. The cloud offers more security, redundancy, availability, and mobility. Instead of just keeping up with the competition, you’ll be able to focus improving efficiency and growing your company.

With the rise of many different devices like iPhone and Android, Windows isn’t the only player in the game anymore. It’s cool to be a Mac and we get that at DynaSis. Using ITility by DynaSis cloud based services, we can now offer clients the support they need no matter which platform they choose. ITility by DynaSis uses a web portal to access your company data, files, and applications, so as long as your device can access the Internet, you can get to your work. Best of all, it delivers the same experience on all platforms so you don’t have to re-learn how to use it on all your devices or install additional plug-ins to make it work. So whether you are a Mac or a PC, you can still access your data and work as seamlessly as ever.

By Chas Arnold

Inherent to the cloud is its mobility. With office workers asking for more flexible work options, impacts on the environment, and winter storm interruptions, mobility is becoming a key component of any IT network. With the cloud, you no longer have to think of mobility as an after-thought to your existing network infrastructure, cobbling together systems that will allow your employees remote access. Instead, our ITility by DynaSis cloud solution gives your employees the ability to work wherever they are at anytime on any device that has an Internet connection. Mobility is already baked into the solution and doesn’t cost you anything extra.

By David Moorman, President, DynaSis

There are many definitions of cloud services and many providers today are offering some variation of the cloud as a service. In its simplest definition Wikipedia states, “Cloud computing is Internet-based computing, whereby shared resources, software, and information are provided to computers and other devices on demand.” Since the gain of its popularity, the cloud has become a major buzzword in the industry. Just about everyone has some sort of “cloud” service.  As a business consumer, you should make sure the cloud service you get comes from a reputable provider with a commitment to the technology and not just a fly-by-night company. One of the signs you can tell a provider is truly a reliable cloud provider is their dedication to innovation. At DynaSis I strive to stay on the leading edge of the technology in order to prove my commitment. Our ITility by DynaSis service was first offered five years ago and has undergone constant improvements since its launch. Unlike others, we have dedicated the time to working out the bugs in the service and making it one that best serves our clients. I’m always looking for new uses for technology to help the businesses I work with gain a competitive advantage in their industry, and I see the cloud as a major key to doing that.

by Chas Arnold, Partner and Executive Vice President

It’s almost that time of year again, tax season. I know, I know, not the most enjoyable of topics. So why not make it more enjoyable by saving more money on taxes next year? Many businesses I have worked with have done just that using ITility by DynaSis cloud services. Using the cloud, I have seen clients transform capital expenses into operating expenses, giving them more deductions and increased tax savings at the end of year. They transform their capital expenses by no longer purchasing hardware and software updates. With ITility by DynaSis, those costs go away and instead clients pay a fixed monthly fee or an operational cost. ITility by DynaSis also makes budgeting predictable because there are no added fees or surprises. So make tax season less painful next year, transform capital IT expenses into operating expenses using the cloud.

by David Moorman, President

As we have developed our cloud computing system ITility by DynaSis over the last five years, I have run into those that are just not ready to make the jump to the cloud. It may be hard to get your mind around at first. Centrally storing all your data offsite and letting someone else manage it is not the norm in today’s business culture. To explain the idea of cloud computing, I have to offer the example of the electricity company. Before electricity was widespread, individuals would produce their own electricity. When electrical companies came along, they reduced the cost and generated electricity in mass. Similarly, cloud technology providers are changing the way people manage their information technology. Third party providers are able to lower the cost by spreading it over a large base, as well as deliver technology more efficiently than you could if you managed it yourself.
Just as a wave of electrical inventions dramatically changed the world as the 20th century progressed, so can we expect increased innovation going into the 21st century with technologies centering around the cloud.

by Chas Arnold, Partner and Executive Vice President

Ever need to connect to your office PC from the road? Access your files from your phone? Well wait no longer. Cloud computing is giving way to amazing flexibility never seen before. For instance, it no longer matters what device you use to access your files, where you access them, or where the information resides. It’s all possible using cloud computing technology so you can work faster and more efficiently.

It no longer matters what type of hardware is powering your cloud. Now that data and infrastructure are centrally located and delivered via the Internet, you can use any device to connect to your cloud. Whether you are a PC user or a Mac user, you can now work without compatibility issues. So go ahead, connect to your cloud using your windows mobile phone, your iPad, Macbook, or PC. The cloud delivers a uniform experience across all devices and access points, so you can please both your Mac gurus and traditional PC users in the office.

With the cloud, it no longer matters where you access your information. Since you can connect using any device, you can connect anywhere there is Internet access. Work from the café, airplane, or at home in your slippers. The cloud gives you the flexibility to work where you are, freeing you from the ball and chain of the “office computer”. Work is where you are, not somewhere you go.

You can choose where your information resides with the power of the cloud.Instead of your data located at your office on your servers, cloud computing allows you to house your mission critical servers in a secured location. Before, you didn’t have the choice on where servers and equipment resided. Expensive server room equipment was left unguarded in a closet and accessible to any employee. But now as the number of cloud providers grow, you can choose where your information will live. World-class providers offer cloud storage, allowing you to place your most sensitive assets in secured facilities, managed and monitored around the clock.

The clouds makes allows you to work more efficiently and gives you a multitude of options. Added flexibility will help you boost productivity, saving you precious time and money. DynaSis is a provider of cloud computing solutions. For more information visit wwww.dynasis.com or call 770.882.2432

by David Moorman, President

Traditionally, businesses have managed their own infrastructure and IT resources themselves. This in-house management requires high overheads, specialized staff, capital expenditures, and honestly – going in to work some mornings wondering if IT would work that day. A relatively new concept, cloud computing, is changing all that.

The cloud is a metaphor for the Internet. With a cloud computing solution, your IT network no longer resides at your office, but at a third party datacenter managed by IT experts. Your data and applications are then delivered to you via the Internet. Sound foreign? Well, maybe it’s not as crazy as you think.

Do you ever wonder if the lights will work when you wake up in the morning? Unless you’re in the middle of a blizzard, probably not. And, you probably don’t manage your own power plant, generators, or substations to get electricity. You pay experts with the best equipment, professionals and resources to manage all this for you. The same should be true with your information technology, and the cloud makes this happen.

History Repeats Itself

In the early 1900s, few people took advantage of electricity as a utility. The technology was young and buyers were wary of the unproven systems and infrastructure. Energy was self-manufactured by water wheels, steam engines, and muscle. But by 1933 buyers were more confident in mature technology, and over 90% of electricity was provided as a utility. Now any appliance could be simply plugged into the electric grid – the network.

Companies are seeing the same thing happen with the cloud. The IT industry saw the first PCs rollout in the 1980s, and that led to the client server computing technology of the 90s. As computing technology has advanced, the industry is moving to a virtualized cloud infrastructure, meaning no longer will you maintain your own network, but trust in professionals to provide your IT as a utility. Gartner research indicates that “by 2012, 20 percent of businesses will own no IT infrastructure assets.”

What drives cloud adoption?

Businesses adopt new technology for one primary reason: money. If the cloud were just a novel technology, businesses would be reluctant to adopt. Considering the huge financial advantages with cloud computing, more and more businesses are moving away from traditional networking to a cloud model. For a large, Fortune 500 company, the costs and resources associated with housing a complete data center with redundant environmental controls, fire suppression, security, and backup provisions are easy. For the average small to medium sized business, though, this kind of data center is unrealistic. Cloud computing allows small to medium sized businesses to utilize the same technological resources that Fortune 500 companies do because of the cloud provider’s data center. A small business with 10 employees enjoys the same network that a 500 employee company does.

The Shift has Begun

The shift to IT provided as a utility has begun. As it continues, computing will become a service almost exclusively supplied over the Internet or private network. Today’s desktop machines will turn into simple appliances that simply plug into the wall and pull their value from the cloud.

by Chas Arnold, VP Sales and Marketing

Where is the personal computer headed? With the advances in cloud computing and software as a service (see previous blogs), the need for a traditional personal computer is decreasing. Personal computers with local software files and high capacity are being traded down for smaller computers with less power that retrieve data from a centralized server or datacenter- often called thin clients or “smart terminals”. Scaled down computers or thin clients are not as costly and can still provide the same user experience of a personal computer, just delivered a little differently. So what exactly are these smart terminals and should you jump on the downsizing bandwagon? What benefits are there and why trade up your flashy PC for a simpler version?

First things first…What is a thin client or smart terminal? It is a computer that relies on some other computer (like a server) to fulfill traditional computing roles. A thin client can be a stripped down PC with little to no software that talks to a server to get its files, email and applications. A thin client can also be a small box attached to the back of your monitor or a device you plug into a USB port on your computer. They need only have the bare bones to get you online, while the true computer is in a datacenter down the hall or in the next state.

So the important question, why use a thin client?

• Decreased cost
A traditional personal computer can cost upwards of $1000 before you even get to security, upgrades, and maintenance costs, while a thin client can be purchased for less than $200. Applications, security, upgrades and more can be purchased monthly using a cloud service or SaaS provider.

• Decreased maintenance
Instead of working on each personal computer separately, thin clients give IT personal the ability to globally maintain workstations, meaning they only have to perform upgrades and system maintenance once for all computers on the network.

• Reduced Consumption
Thin clients are a smaller footprint where the environment is concerned. They use less energy and take up less space on a desktop than a personal computer.

• Seamless User Experience
Thin clients are capable of delivering the same user experience as traditional PC’s. Depending on what your business is, there are varying levels of thin clients that can offer the same functionality including video, 3D graphics, and audio.

So if you just purchased a fleet of new desktops, thin client computing may not be your best bet. But for those who are looking to upgrade in the near future, tossing out the personal computer model may make a lot of sense.

by David Moorman, President

Change can be a source of apprehension for a lot of businesses, especially when it comes to critical data you use to run your operations. New technology definitely meets resistance because it is unknown and not yet understood widely. Cloud computing is one of those technologies that business professionals fear, so I thought I’d dispel some of the myths associated with it.

My data won’t be as accessible in the cloud.
Some business professionals are uncomfortable with their servers and data being stored in the cloud. Without equipment physically at their office, they fear they won’t be able to get to their data when they need it. In reality, cloud computing is meant to maximize access to your data. Since your data is delivered over the Internet, you are no longer tied to any one physical machine. Any device that connects to the Internet is now your information highway. So whether you are at the office, home, or on the road you can still get to necessary files and applications.

My provider will be able to hold my data hostage.
Cloud computing is not a way that respectable providers are going to some how lock you into using their services. A reputable managed IT company is not going to deny you access to your information and should in fact have processes in place to transfer your data should you ever want to switch. Reputation is more important in the business of IT than wielding power over clients. Additionally, since the premise of cloud computing is to make your data more accessible, you can get to it whenever you want. Your data is literally at your fingertips, available from anywhere.

My data won’t be as secure in the cloud.
Having direct physical access to your equipment and data is what most companies are used to, but just because you can reach out and touch it doesn’t mean its safe. Having your data stored at your office can create a false sense of security. What if someone breaks in and steals your equipment or an employee tampers with it after hours? The cloud offers both physical and virtual security measures that may not be available to the typical SMB. Temperature control, fire suppression systems, around the clock monitoring, controlled access, enterprise firewall security, and virus protections are just a few of the features that come included with hosting your data in the cloud. Still unsure? Ask your provider for a tour of their data center facility to see exactly how they will treat your information.

Sharing physical resources in the cloud creates security issues.
The cloud often uses virtualization to accomplish high rates of uptime and to minimize the amount of physical equipment needed. Virtualizing means that many computers can be located on one physical machine. For example, instead of running one copy of Windows on your PC, with virtualization you could run two or three copies that all act as different PC’s on one physical machine. In the cloud, many companies share the same physical server but each company’s data is run on separate virtual servers. So what if that one server gets infected, won’t it spread to all virtual servers? Each virtual server has its own licensing, its own firewall, its own anti-virus software and so on. Just like two ships passing in the night, virtual servers run parallel but never touch.

Sharing physical resources in the cloud increases my risk of downtime.
With many companies running on one machine, you may be tempted to think the cloud is unstable. In a virtualized environment, if any one physical server crashes, all the virtual instances are easily moved to another resource so no downtime is experienced. Providers offering cloud computing should be able to give you the percentage of guaranteed uptime they offer. Additionally, if your business experiences a spike in credit card transactions, or an increase in the number of users accessing the network during certain times of the day or week, any available resources within the server farm are temporarily given to you and when you no longer need it, that bandwidth is reallocated somewhere else.

While converting your traditional network to one that utilizes the cloud can be daunting, it’s like any other new technology. You must evaluate the risks and benefits separating truth from irrational fears that may be based on the way you’ve always done things. The cloud is your friend--exploring its possibilities can offer huge time and cost savings.