Category "Cloud Solutions"

Despite the high-in-the-sky image conjured by the phrase “cloud computing,” documents in the cloud are not floating in a mystical ether. Instead, they’re being saved inside vaults of servers connected with snaking cables and blinking lights. If a business rents a portion of a server that’s shared with others, it’s a public cloud; if a business rents the entire server, that’s a private cloud. Businesses who are just starting to consider cloud-based IT services might be overwhelmed by all their options, including whether to go with a public or private cloud service.

Here are three key differences to help simplify the private cloud vs public cloud decision:

1. Public cloud solutions are generally more cost-effective than private cloud

Just like taking a public bus is generally a more cost-effective way to get from one place to another than hiring a limousine, the public cloud option is more affordable for most businesses and still gets the job done. Tech Target describes public cloud storage services as cost-effective because “organizations pay only for the resources they use.”

2. Private cloud solutions are generally more secure than public cloud

Although cloud security continues to evolve rapidly, there is less risk storing data on hardware that only your organization can access, compared to hardware shared with numerous organizations. Businesses considering using a public cloud should ask the vendor about data encryption, access controls, and other methods the vendor uses to ensure data security.

3. Private cloud solutions are better for large businesses with varied computing needs

A small business that’s looking for cloud solutions primarily to back up data won’t need the massive resources of a private cloud. However, large corporations with computing needs that are difficult to predict may prefer a private cloud for maximum flexibility.

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These days, businesses that haven’t moved to the cloud are increasingly rare. Moving to the cloud is no longer about gaining an advantage over competitors; instead, it’s about keeping up with them. Analysts at Cisco predict that yearly global cloud IP traffic in 2020 will reach 14.1 zettabytes (ZB), a more than three-fold increase from the 3.9 ZB traffic in 2015.

For reference, one zettabyte is a trillion terabytes, and even just one terabyte can hold 40 days’ worth of movies. But some businesses are still reluctant to move forward with cloud-based solutions, held back by myths and misinformation.  Here are 3 common cloud computing myths, debunked:

1. Data in the cloud is vulnerable to hackers

Gaurav Pal of the SearchCloudComputing Advisory board cites security concerns as the top reason that businesses who have not yet migrated to the cloud are reluctant to do so.

In reality, all data is somewhat vulnerable to hackers, just like going to public places makes a person vulnerable to germs. However, most people don’t let fear of catching a cold turn them into agoraphobic shut-ins; instead, they take reasonable precautions and practice good hygiene. Similarly, security fears should not hold businesses back when it comes to taking advantage of the cloud.

2. Data in the cloud is not as readily available as on-site data

In today’s hyper-connected world, data stored in the cloud can be securely accessed from anywhere. Businesses need to be smart about evaluating their own access needs and carefully consider whether they are letting tradition and unfounded fears guide their thinking.

3. Cloud services are much more expensive than in-house IT

It is difficult to compare the cost savings of using on-demand cloud services compared to on-premises IT solutions because the traditional model is very different from the more elastic model of cloud computing.

In addition, costs such as facilities and power costs are easy to overlook. However, most companies will actually save money by migrating to the cloud.

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Many IT professionals and executives hold a common misconception that dedicated infrastructure, hosted within a business’ own walls, is always more secure than a cloud solutions offering. This understanding fails to recognize the myriad complexities that exist within managing computing services in-house.

While a dedicated server seems attractive, it comes with the added responsibilities of hiring additional trusted staff, navigating vendor solutions and contracts, and even the basic cost of added facilities and equipment management. Maintaining your own dedicated servers also limits your flexibility in accommodating additional resources and implementing ever-changing regulatory frameworks. From a liability perspective, dedicated servers leave your business open to litigation and regulatory actions should you fail to properly implement the latest security protocols and standards.

Many businesses are relieving themselves of these potentially catastrophic burdens by transitioning to cloud-based computing solutions. Much as how these businesses don’t manage their own bank vaults, professional cloud computing solutions are being used to safeguard the data and computing of both firms and their clients.

The very term “cloud” suggests a monolithic entity, incapable of customization and inflexible to the individual demands every business has. To the contrary, modern cloud infrastructure is much like clouds themselves: flexible, scalable, and multi-faceted. Even businesses requiring complex computing solutions that must meet privacy and security standards like HIPAA can use cloud solutions.

WHOA.com’s Private Cloud service provides individualized computing services on private servers, combining the benefits of a dedicated server with the flexibility, security, and uptime of a top-tier cloud platform provider.

Please contact us for details about our personalized cloud computing solutions.

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