The benefits of cloud computing
- 1. Cutting costs with Cloud Computing Ben Stege
- 2. One step back • How important is IT? • Not as important as a good product and YOU! • But, get it wrong and pay! – Headaches & lost time – Cost (too expensive, cost of change) – Loss of data, reputation and money “IT isn’t that important, but it is important to get right”
- 3. Why do we always talk about IT? • From floor worker to MD • It can be so complex • We can’t get our head around it, but… • It can be so handy!
- 4. How IT is changing the marketplace • Customers are getting ever more digital – other ways to connect with customers • Geographical boundaries are disappearing – for us and our competitors – Offer products (online shopping) – Offer services (justanswer.com, expertexchange.com)
- 5. Let’s make the most of it • As we will need IT, why not make the most of it and get the best tools at the best price • Or one step further – get such good tools that will make us more competitive
- 6. The best tools • Are user friendly • Reduce hassle • Are functional • Are flexible and mobile • Work well together • Offer value for money
- 7. IT functionality • On stage – web, social media, email marketing, video, presentations etc. • Back stage – email, calendaring, CRM, accounting
- 8. IT in SME’s is 80% about people • Your customers: – Finding & connecting: web, social media, email – Managing relationships & support: CRM • Teams & employees: – Collaborate: email, file sharing, online meetings
- 9. Where does cloud computing fit in? • It is THE major trend in IT • It takes the technology out of IT • Focus on functionality • It is ideal for SME’s
- 10. So, what is cloud computing? • Also known as web-hosted IT • Data and functions are hosted by providers such as Microsoft, Google, Amazon • They manage all the technology • Accessed via the web browser • Simple examples: hotmail, online banking but also Twitter, Facebook and online games
- 11. What can I do in the cloud? • Website management • Social Media • Productivity suites: – Office / Docs – Email & Calendaring – Collaboration / file sharing – Online meetings & conferencing • Customer Relationship Management (CRM) • Accounting • Etc., etc.
- 12. What are the benefits? • Work anywhere • No software installations • Always the latest software • Easy to share information • Scalable • Automatic back-ups • Minimise engineer call-outs • No need to buy anything • Cut costs: economy of scale, easy to develop
- 13. Work Anywhere • All you need is: – A PC or Mac – An Internet connection (512/128 kb suffices) – A web browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome) • Many applications have mobile versions or apps, tablets like iPad are ideal (no flash) • Access over EDGE/3G
- 14. No software installations • An Internet browser is the only software you need to install • Some applications do offer an app for extra functionality but still work without > Data is still online • Traditionally, every application on every computer needs separate software & updates • Number of PC’s x Number of Apps = Too Many • No dependency on computers
- 15. Always the latest software • Software is managed by hosting company • They upgrade & patch continually • No extra cost for new versions • No extra cost for new hardware requirements • No extra cost for on-site engineers
- 16. Easy to share information • The web acts as a hub to share information and work together > in the office or on the road • No need to allow inbound connections into your office network • Share documents, calendars, free/busy, customer & financial data, enter time slips etc.
- 17. Scalable • Add extra users, data storage and functionality with a click of the button and pay as you use. • No need to worry about hardware & software upgrades • Connect to other web applications to add functionality
- 18. Automatic back-ups • Back-ups are done automatically by the hosting provider (daily) • Usually of-site as well • Some do hourly back-ups • Some have mirrored systems
- 19. Minimise engineer call-outs • No on-site software installations & servers = less call-outs • Your cloud IT is managed by the hosting provider, included in the subscription • They keep your IT in optimised data centres and use highly specialised support teams • Only for the basic infrastructure: computers, printers and other devices • Most other cloud IT support can be done remotely which saves money
- 20. No need to buy anything • Cloud IT is much like a utility, you pay a subscription • You pay for what you use • You don’t have to buy hardware & software • You don’t have to buy upgrades every x years • You don’t risk theft, loss or breakdown • Good for cash flow
- 21. Cut costs! • Economy of scale, hosting providers: – Buy cheaper – Manage cheaper – Make sure their equipment isn’t idle • No need for large capital investment • An extremely competitive software market through: – Relatively easy switching of providers – Easy software development with PaaS and other development frameworks • Savings are passed on to you!
- 22. What to look out for? • Trust in the hosting provider • Access & authentication • Security & DPA • Vendor lock-in • A reliable Internet connection – A word about speed, latency and contention rate
- 23. What about security? • Hosting companies rely on security, like a bank • They have more resources than you or me: – Secure data centres – Tiered firewalls – Mirror sites – Hourly back-ups – Disaster recovery, etc. • No need for copying data to memory sticks and laptops • Secure passwords or 2-factor auth. are crucial • Check DPA & Safe Harbor list
- 24. Low costs tools worth knowing • Websites: Wordpress CMS • Social Media: Hootsuite • Productivity: Google Apps or Office 365 • File sharing: Dropbox • Audio & Video chat: Skype – also groups • CRM: many out there, also free with limited functions • Accounting: many out there, also free with limited functions • Photo editing: Pixlr.com • Anti-virus: Microsoft Security Essentials • Marketing: Youtube & Slideshare
- 25. Free is good, but… • Pick the right tools for the job • Prepare for growth • Migration can be a hassle: – Time spend – Possible loss of data – Learning new software
- 26. Conclusion • Opportunities for SMB As Microsoft says: “your local bakery can get enterprise-calibre software” • Requires a different mind set • More extrovert • Does it fit your business? • Not sure? Pick the best bits and go hybrid
- 27. What I have learned • Form partnerships (mutual referrals, commissions, packages, buying, advertising) • Good Digital presence • Don’t spend forever on auxiliary stuff but work constructively and get out there • Networking, not about selling but about relationships – sell through, not to, the room – Referrals – Trust & Like
- 28. Thank you! Questions? Connect with us: twitter.com/benstege www.cumulusit.co.uk/blog/