Download - Cloud Computing Basics for Small Business
Cloud Computing Basics for Small Business
November 1, 2012
About Us
• GWI– www.gwi.net– blog.gwi.net– Facebook.com/GWIInc– Twitter @gwimaine– YouTube.com/gwimaine
• Trevor Jones, Director of Marketing and Product Development– Twitter: @trevorjones71– LinkedIn.com/in/trevordjones
• Brad Dormanen, Director of IT– Twitter: @braddormanen– linkedin.com/pub/brad-dormanen/28/751/5
Poll – Have You Used:
• HubSpot?• Salesforce.com?• Hootsuite?• TweetDeck?• Google Apps? (Gmail, Drive, Docs, Calendar)• Control Panel Web Hosting?• Google Analytics?• Mozy or Carbonite?• DropBox?
Congratulations!
You’re using cloud computing!
What is Cloud Computing?
• IT assets obtained as services– Monthly maintenance fee– Minimal up-front costs
• Software (SaaS)• Platform (PaaS)
– Control Panel Web Hosting
– Force.com, Google API
• Hardware (IaaS)– Server virtualization,
storage, etc.
Cloud Computing BenefitsFinancial
• Reduced Capital Costs– No servers to buy– No software licenses to buy– No unexpected investment needed due to equipment failure,
obsolescence or disaster• Reduced Overhead
– Less need for specialized IT staff or consultants– Lower power consumption– Reduces the need for expensive private networks or hard to maintain
VPN’s• Scalability
– Pay as you go per megabit or per seat
Cloud Computing BenefitsOperational
• Work from anywhere– Username + Password access
without VPN’s
• Best in class services for small business budgets
• Automatic updates– Lower Maintenance– Fewer risks from malware and
intrusion
• Built in Disaster Recovery– No manual backup processes– Geo-diverse replication of data
Do what you do best, where you want to do it – let us deal with IT.
A Few Examples of GWI Cloud Computing Services
• Hosted PBX• Hosted Storage • Hosted Backup &
Recovery• Hosted Exchange• HAVEN - Server
Virtualization• Data Center Services
Data Center
• Off-site home for your servers– Build your own Cloud– Specialized applications– Sensitive data
• Benefits– High availability
• Diverse internet connectivity• Backup power systems
– Secure and safe• Keycard access• Video surveillance• Gaseous fire suppression• Redundant cooling
– Nearby• Low latency• Easy access
– On the GWI Core• Nationwide private network connectivity.
Before You Jump In:Network Readiness
• Set up monitoring– Is your connection fast enough?– Are their performance issues with your network?
• Have wiring inspected• Check wireless network configuration
– Performance– Security
• Update out of date equipment• Upgrade your connectivity
– Consider a private connection– Consider backup Internet
• Install battery backups on network devices
Before you jump in: Partner Selection
• Control & Privacy– Understanding where copies are stored– Careful review of privacy policies
• Data Security– Ensure stored data is encrypted– Mistrust any partner who can decrypt your data for you– Data should be transmitted via a private network, SSH, or other encrypted tunnel
• Service Level Management– Mean time to recover/restore– Maintenance schedule
• Location matters for performance• Consider carriers
– Connectivity can be managed for performance and security– Savings through bundling with telecom services– One-call, one-bill convenience– Many have local support staff
THANK YOU!
Questions? Ask away!
