Unlock the mystery of the Cloud

written by Michael Anderson posted on April 30, 2020

Is the Cloud right for your organization?

The Cloud is still a mystery to many people and organizations. If you don’t know what it is, then it’s hard to know if it’s the right option for you.

Here’s how to determine if it might be the right fit for you and your organization:

What’s the Cloud?

In simple terms, the Cloud is computers storing your data, applications and systems in someone else’s data centre.

A data centre is a physical area in which a network of computing and storage resources enable the delivery of applications and data. Components in a data centre can include uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), ventilation, external network connections, routers, switches, security devices, storage systems, backup generators, servers, and application-delivery controllers.

What are the options?

Before you jump into the Cloud, there are three options to consider:

1. A private data centre: you own it.
2. A public Cloud: someone else owns it.
3. A hybrid: a combination of both.

What’s the difference?

1. A private data centre: Your company is responsible for all aspects of the data centre. This can be expensive and time consuming, since you have to manage, patch, purchase hardware and software, upgrade and monitor security.
2. A public Cloud: Since it’s owned by someone else, such as Microsoft’s Azure, it will manage the data centre. One of the biggest benefits of the public Cloud is cost savings, because you pay for what you use.
3. A hybrid: This is a combination of the two; you can, for example, keep sensitive data in your private data centre and non-critical data in the public Cloud.

Which one is the best option for you?

This is where an IT-service provider, such as 365 Technologies, can help you choose the best Cloud model for your company and budget.

To determine your best options, we review your local infrastructure, such as age, equipment requirements, upgrading costs, your ISP’s bandwidth (to ensure it supports the speeds you need and connectivity requirements), operation and system compatibility, backup requirements, and service level agreement (what’s covered, including limitations, implementing the correct solution).

Simply put, we plan your implementation, test, and monitor it. We determine the costs, understand the limitations, and evaluate other solutions to ensure your systems work exactly as planned, so you know your return on investment (ROI).

If you’re interested in moving to the Cloud, or learning more, contact us or visit our Cloud page.