Archive for September, 2008
Cloud Computing – Big Benefits For Small and Mid-Sized Business
By Joe Nemastil, Principal – The NT Group, LLC
612.279.2160
www.thentgroup.com
What’s the Buzz About?
Using PCs and PC Servers for personal and business productivity is nothing new. What is changing is how small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) are saving money using those machines differently.
Total cost of ownership (TCO) for PCs and PC servers is comprised of:
- Hardware/Software Purchase
- Hardware/Software Deployment
- User Training
- Warranty
- Help Desk Support
- On Site Support
- Software Upgrades
- Software Patch Deployment
- Disposal Costs
- Lost Productivity From Downtime
A paper titled “Quantifying the Total Cost of Ownership for Entry-Level and Mid-Range Server Clusters” published by TechWise Research Inc. in 2007 states that TCO for HP, IBM, or Sun servers is at least $8,000 per month. The largest component of TCO in their research is lost productivity from server downtime.
My own research in the SMB market reveals similar findings. TCO for a single PC is between $2,000 and up to $8,000 per year. Again, the largest component of TCO is lost revenue and productivity associated with down time. The swing is attributable to the complexity of software applications, whether data is regularly backed up, how often anti-virus gets updated, how often software is updated, the type of support (7×24x365 help desk vs. ad hoc) in place, and the level of training in place for end users and support personnel.
These estimates don’t include the risk associated with lost data. As mobility of PC users increases, risk of lost/stolen data rises.
Enter cloud computing. The concept is simple – instead of building infrastructure with servers and PCs and software on those machines, you pay for the applications you need as a “service” on a user by user basis. You connect to the service through a secure broadband Internet connection.
With cloud computing, a service provider owns the servers, data storage equipment, and the software applications, and rents or owns commercial data center space that houses it all. The PC connecting to the service needs only an operating system, like XP or Vista with an inherent web browser, like Internet Explorer. The Internet connection is secured with encryption and user name and password authentication.
Service providers charge a flat monthly fee for applications, storage and protection (backup) of data, and help desk support. The monthly fee per user ranges from $150 – $350, depending on applications that are being accessed, the amount of data storage required, and the level of end user support. A one-time start up fee per user of about $250/user gets the service running.
Why now?
Cloud computing is the result of a few factors. One of them is the increasing availability of broadband Internet access. Another factor is the advent of software, such as VMware that allows connecting servers together to create one big “virtual” machine that can support thousands of users simultaneously. A third factor is the declining cost of data storage. And lastly, there is an abundance of managed service providers with commercial data center facilities with redundant power, Internet connections, HVAC, and fire suppression capabilities.
Downside of changing
There is user training associated with the change to cloud computing, but due to the similarity with a user’s current desktop, training is short-lived, i.e. if arrow keys are used to navigate through a document, a screen refreshes each time the arrow key is pressed, which can translate to slow response compared to using the slide cursor or the page up/page down keys.
The file folder architecture is often standardized, so users may have to adjust to using a different file/folder schema.
The end user’s desktop background may not be customizable, i.e. the background with the family photo may be replaced with a blue background.
Frequently asked questions include “What happens if I lose my Internet connection?” This can be addressed with a redundant connection. If dsl is being used, cable or a second dsl connection for Internet access redundancy is desirable. “How secure is my data?” is also commonly heard; this is a valid concern and merits rigorous discussion with the service provider to uncover whether their security policies and practices adequately protect data. However, it’s been my experience that a service provider can typically protect data better than SMB customers themselves.
Benefits of changing
The benefits of cloud computing architecture vs. building internal infrastructure include:
Predictable IT Budget - Cloud computing costs are finite. There is nothing to purchase above and beyond the initial start up fee, the monthly fixed service fee per user, and the PC used to connect to the service.
Decreased capital expense - Cloud computing users can use a Winterm device to utilize the service. Winterm devices are essentially stripped-down PCs and are priced at $300-800 each. No PC servers or applications are needed because the application software is running in the service provider’s datacenter(s). No PC software other than the operating system is needed. Note – depending on whether users will need access to applications where Internet service is not available, some applications may be needed on the user’s machine, but data files are automatically backed up when the user again connects to the service.
Decreased ongoing expense - Cloud computing environments are simpler to support because the user’s machine has little running on it. There are fewer problems with software conflicts, hardware problems, driver issues, etc.
Decreased risk - Data is centrally managed, backed up, and secured, so it’s not susceptible to loss or corruption.
Improved mobility - Because applications are accessed via broadband Internet service, workers can be productive almost anywhere.
Improved productivity - Perhaps the biggest payoff for companies using cloud computing is that down time of PCs is significantly reduced. And down time associated with servers is virtually eliminated. Down time associated with lost data is eliminated due to the service provider’s automated disk and tape backup. Service providers offer 7×24x365 help desk support, further decreasing down time.
Add comment September 16, 2008
IVDesk and The COR: A True Matter-Centric Solution for Law Firms
IVDesk and The COR join forces to give law firms an affordable way to establish a true matter-centric environment with improved risk management. Lawyers enjoy a full-service office anywhere in the world, including powerful document and email management, with just a computer and an Internet connection.
(PRWEB) September 15, 2008 – IVDesk (http://www.ivdesk.com), a leading web-based remote hosting company, and COR2 Technology (http://www.cor2.com), developer of the innovative The COR collaborative document management system, announce a partnership to offer law firms an affordable way to completely streamline operations electronically. Law firms are trading mountains of redundant paperwork for a better solution to share and manage their data.
Each company continues to offer their respective systems individually, or as a combined effort to optimize data management in a highly secure and remote environment. Law firms can control and share every record, document, email, attachment and scanned image from anywhere in the world. Individual permissions also allow staff, clients, and colleagues a more economical way to collaborate and share data.
Increased Billable Hours
Billable hours are guaranteed to increase with a drastic reduction in wasted time searching for files, driving to meetings, and redundant printing and filing. Productivity increases as lawyers gain a more convenient way to work remotely and collaborate electronically.
Built-In Risk Management
Implementing a risk management plan for electronic data is easy with individual security settings and continuous monitoring. Users subscribe to data and receive immediate notification upon any activity.
Premium Retention and Records Management
All records, documents, emails, attachments and scanned images are stored electronically, made searchable, indexed, and protected. Unlimited storage is included to prevent confining limits on current or archived data.
Convenient Collaboration
Cases can be managed more efficiently with a useful “check in/check out” process for files. Firms can expedite all areas of their business, such as accounting, client communication and administrative tasks. For example, accountants can be setup to access tax information or clients can login and download their own invoices.
Extensive Search Capability
With a powerful, built-in search engine, all files and email are indexed and searchable down to the last word. Users can simply enter a client name, case number, or phrase to find targets quickly and effortlessly.
Tight Security
Both companies take security very seriously and invest in top-ranked technology and solid policies. Data is fully encrypted, 100% protected, and backed up in multiple locations every day. Small office servers are not capable of providing the security law firms need to lock down their highly confidential matter.
Full Integration
IVDesk and The COR not only complement each other, they are also compatible with nearly any operating system or application, including a myriad of legal software.
The Portable Office
Using convenient cloud computing technology, lawyers can take their office anywhere around the world. With just a computer and an internet connection, users work just as if they were sitting at their desk.
Helpful Training and Unmatched Support
Law firms will appreciate the ease of transitioning from a redundant paper system to a more effective electronic system with a customized implementation plan, thorough training program, and 24/7 support. Personal help is always available so there is virtually no down time.
“IVDesk has listened to our legal clients and heard an overwhelming need for a true matter-centric solution. We are extremely pleased to offer The COR as an addition to our remote application services to stop the paperwork madness endured by law firms and provide a robust document and email management answer, ” stated Randy Olson, VP of Sales for IVDesk.
Scott Lombard, CEO of COR2 Technology, adds, “Our partnership with IVDesk allows firms to enjoy all the benefits of The COR in a flexible and truly remote environment. The two systems are independently valuable, but together provide an unbeatable way for lawyers to manage applications, data and security. The best part is being able to offer clients a better solution, with outstanding support, at a fraction of the cost of other systems.”
While this partnership is not solely for the legal industry, the combination of systems provides major benefits for law firms, such as:
• Increased Billable Hours
• Improved Client Satisfaction
• More Efficient Case Management
• Stronger Security
• Controlled Risk Management
• Flexible Remote Environment
• Custom Implementation Plan and Training
• 24/7 Access and Support
For more information on the partnership or services of IVDesk and The COR, contact Randy Olson of IVDesk at 800-711-1438 or visit http://www.ivdesk.com, or Scott Lombard of COR2 Technology at 877-529-0598 or http://www.cor2.com.
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Contacts: Randy Olson, VP of Sales IVDesk
800-711-1438
http://www.ivdesk.com
Scott Lombard, CEO
COR2 Technology
877-529-0598
http://www.cor2.com
Add comment September 16, 2008
