 Cloud
Computing: What is it?
Do I really need it?
 You might be
wondering if your
network is integrated
with "The Cloud" or if
this is yet another
upgrade you will need.
Let us help you cut
through the marketing
fluff. Cloud
Computing is not a new
technology - we have
been using it since the
very first web page on
the very first server
was ever created.
Before it became a buzz
word, a picture of a
cloud was used to
represent "the internet"
when one was doing a
graphic representation
of an office network
like this:
"Cloud" has now evolved
to simply mean that more
of what you do on your
own computer can be done
via the internet using
someone else's larger,
faster computers.
An example of a Cloud
service would be Google
Docs which allows you to
access word processing,
spreadsheets and drawing
and store your data on
Google's servers.
Here are the major
advantages of Cloud
services:
Ascending into the
Cloud:
- Upgrades:
They are usually
seamless, being done
by the company
hosting your Cloud
service. You do not
have to continually
do upgrades or
purchase new
software.
- Cost:
The cost to get
started can be
significantly lower
or spread out over
time.
- Access:
You can access your
information anywhere
there is an internet
connection.
Clearly, the benefits
are compelling.
However, the issues
with Cloud Computing are
not cost vs. benefit,
but rather benefit vs. liability.
Getting struck by
lightning:
1. Downtime:
There have been more
than 10 high profile
Cloud outages over
the last few years
that left businesses
completely unable to
access their data
for anywhere from 2
to 7 days.
2. Backups:
There are usually no
or few backup
solutions in place.
Some businesses have
seen their email or
client data go up in
smoke, with no
recourse.
3. Privacy & Security:
You have no control
over who has access
to your
information. Using
certain Cloud
services may violate
certain laws for
your business, such
as HIPAA. If your
data is compromised
through a Cloud
service, you would
not be released from
any liability.
If you've been
considering using Cloud
services, call us first!
Each Cloud provider's
service is different. We
will review your
business needs against
what's available from
stable, reputable
service providers.
We can help select the
right service for you
and make sure you are
protected from the
occasional storm.
We're here to lead you
out of the fog.
Best regards,
Matthew Meltzer
Compass Computing, Inc.
(818) 352-9389
www.compasscomputing.com
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