Ubiquitous Access
Cloud = Ubiquitous access; same level of access from home or the office.  This is best exemplified by an outside sales force, or any staff that requires access to data and applications remotely.  Cloud services are accessed through a web browser or application securely over the internet, so users can have the same level of access and functionality from hotels, airports, or coffee shops as they would in their own office.

Another capability is collaboration. Multiple professionals can access and edit a document or work file simultaneously from different buildings, states, or countries. The last advantage of ubiquitous access is exemplified by the ‘bring your own device (BYOD) philosophy’ that more and more companies are subscribing to.  This can occur now with Cloud applications because information is typically not stored locally on the computer or remote device.  These are maintained on centralized fault tolerant systems with very granular security constraints.  This allows cloud applications to reduce the traditional barriers of accessing information regardless of the smart phone, tablet, PC, or Mac the user is working on.

Data in the cloud can be accessed regardless of device or location.

Flexibility
Cloud resources are scaled to appropriately fit the needs a business has today and can be easily increased or decreased for tomorrow. This flexibility is an obvious advantage to any company dealing with economic turmoil. When business slows down cloud resources can be easily decreased so you’re not paying for anything you’re not using. When business picks back up cloud resources can be easily increased to meet the demand.

Building Blocks for BC and DR
Businesses are using cloud computing solutions as integral parts of their Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery plans. Ubiquitous access, automatic failover, backup, storage replication, and offsite location are all integral aspects of Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery strategies. And all of those aspects can be supported by cloud services.  In fact, Public and Private Cloud providers are designing these systems natively for Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery.

Economics
If your business is hosting data and applications in-house there is a good chance server resources are not being fully utilized. Public clouds draw from a shared pool of resources; multiple cloud environments are able to capitalize on the full potential of the physical servers and therefore are more efficient. In addition to that the servers and their environment are managed more efficiently because they’re in a data center instead of a storage closet.

Not only is the cloud more efficient but it also decreases or even eliminates the costs associated with hardware and licensing. By using cloud services from a managed service provider businesses forgo the costs of licensing, purchasing, upgrading, and maintaining for a fixed monthly rate.

Focus
Eliminating licensing, purchasing, upgrading, and maintenance doesn’t just help from an economic standpoint, it makes sense from a productivity standpoint too. Instead of worrying about day-to-day management and menial tasks, your IT staff will be able to focus their time on more important issues like security, privacy, etc.

If you would like to learn more about how cloud services can meet your specific needs and help your business Contact Us.

Today the term cloud generally means ubiquitous access. Most cloud services are accessible via a web browser or app; so you have the same level of access regardless of your location or even device. Clouds are offered in several varieties depending on control versus efficiency, and the service that the cloud is providing.

Public Cloud
This cloud model is hosted and managed by a third party and is multi-tenanted. A single cloud is built to provide resources, such as storage or a service, available to the public. The cloud’s resources are shared among each different organization using the service allowing for maximum efficiency and economic advantages.

Private Cloud
A private cloud is built for the use of a single organization and can be managed internally or by a third party. This model offers the most control but not the economic advantages of the more efficient, multi-tenanted public cloud.

Community Cloud
This variety is similar to a public cloud in that it’s multi-tenanted. However in a community cloud resources are shared between organizations with like concerns (security, compliance, jurisdiction, etc.) instead of open to the public. This is more efficient than a standard Private Cloud and offers more control than Public Cloud.

Hybrid Cloud
A hybrid cloud combines two or more cloud varieties; public, private, community. Each cloud remains an individual entity; the concept is to allocate services in Cloud varieties that make the most sense.  An example of this would be an organization that hosts Email, Communications, and a website with a Public Cloud Provider, yet maintains a Private Cloud for internal vertical applications.

Private offers the most control, Public is the most efficient, and Community and Hybrid models compromise.

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
Cloud infrastructure services are basically outsourced raw storage and networking. Instead of purchasing servers, networking devices and licenses, clients can lease these resources on a monthly basis. A good example of IaaS is our own High Availability Virtual Enterprise Network (HAVEN).

Software as a Service (SaaS)
Cloud software services provide applications over the Internet eliminating the need for clients to purchase, install, and run the applications on their devices. Some examples of SaaS are Google Apps, Microsoft Office 365, iCloud, Drop Box, and our NexVault backup solution.

Platform as a Service (PaaS)
A cloud platform service delivers a computing platform for a client to develop and deploy their own applications on. Again this forgoes purchasing and managing the hardware for a monthly cost instead. PaaS is the least common use of cloud computing.

Hopefully you now have a better idea of what the cloud is and understand its associated terminology. To learn how the cloud can help you, read 5 Reasons Businesses Are Venturing Into Cloud.

We recommend new year resolutions for IT professionals and discuss the new mobile apps for Microsoft Lync.

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Update and increase security policies: According to a recent report from Cisco seven in ten young employees frequently ignore IT policies, one in five said IT policies are not enforced, and two of three said IT policies need to be modified to address real world demands. If you only take away one thing from this report it should be that security policies need to be revisited and updated.

Develop and test your Disaster Recovery Plan: 2011 had a number of disasters large and small that put many disaster recovery plans into action; make sure you’re ready for anything 2012 brings your way. In addition to preparing for an actual disaster, business continuity is becoming a more prevalent topic these days and clients are apt to ask about your disaster recovery plan. Assure your customers that you will always be there for them and have all the right answers in 2012.

An IT consultant can help you analyze and plan, or if you would rather do it yourself there are plenty of resources available to help guide you. Having a plan in theory and in writing is great, but be sure to test it as well. Even if you never face a disaster, just having a proper DRP will increase confidence and provide peace of mind.

Reduce paper usage: Be mindful of the impact your company has on the environment. Reduce the amount of paper your company uses in 2012 by making better use of technology. Convert cabinets full of paper to digital files, introduce new digital storage and organization systems, and encourage employees to rely on digital files without printing. Not only will your company save paper but you will also find yourself more organized.

Take it a step further by storing your data in the cloud. This will make your files easily available from any internet connected device and make your business better prepared to recover from a disaster.

Reduce energy usage: Consider Co-Locating or utilizing virtual servers to reduce energy use. Data centers are well equipped with powerful climate control systems that can provide for many servers and maximize efficiency. Another option is moving away from physical servers altogether. Virtual servers are more efficient than physical machines because they can make maximum use of shared resources. Virtual servers can also be scaled so the network, disk space, and processing power available fit the needs of your business.

Increase communication efficiency: Reducing the role of email is a hot topic these days. For many business functions email is more than adequate but if you find employees are replying multiple times to the same subject there may be a more efficient way. Email is not ideal for having a conversation, that’s what instant messenger and voice are for. Instant messenger and VoIP systems, such as Microsoft Lync, offer lots of useful features and consolidate and streamline communications.

Utilizing a single contact list for email, instant messaging and voice reduces repetition and confusion. History and records can all be stored and found in a single convenient application. And convenient features like file and desktop sharing, presence, and conferencing increase communication efficiency.

The year ahead: Everyone at Nexus Management would like to wish your business success in the upcoming year. We’re all working hard to make 2012 our best year yet.

This is a big deal. 

This is IT everyone is excited about: another string that tied your productivity to your office or your computer has been cut. Everyone here at Nexus Management, IT and non-technical staff alike, have been chomping at the proverbial bit for these apps, so we’re thrilled that the mobile applications have finally become a reality.

Paired with the desktop applications, Lync Mobile is enabling today’s on-the-fly workforce to communicate via voice, video and instant message — even join in conference calls — from just about anywhere they can make a normal cellphone call.

Want to talk more about whether Lync 2010 is right for you? Contact us, we can help.

Have Lync 2010* and want the apps? Find them in your platform App store: iOS App Store, Android Market, and Windows Phone 7 Marketplace.

*some Lync 2010 server configuration required for Mobile functionality.

Capabilities
The first thing to consider is the firm’s capabilities. Make sure the firm is able to meet your needs and that you’re not compromising or ‘making do’. Be specific about your needs and make sure the solution fits your business or can be customized to. A good MSP realizes their limitations and should be forthcoming about them.

Range and integration of capabilities is also a key factor; if you need a virtual environment, hosted email and help desk support you should strongly consider a single vendor who offers all those solutions. Can the MSP support all of the hardware and software your business uses? A strong familiar relationship and a lower cost are likely benefits of working with a single MSP.

Control
Decide how much control you want to have over the management of your information technology services. Whether you want to be micromanaging, completely outsourcing, or something in-between it’s important to make sure that the MSP allows you to have the amount of control you want.

Cost
Cost is obviously an important aspect to consider, but cost itself needs to be analyzed several ways. When analyzing the cost of IT services you should compare it to the costs of all alternative solutions including comparable services from competing vendors as well as in-house solutions.

Location
Since IT services are easily supplied and supported remotely location heavily depends on the needs and preferences of your business. Many enterprise businesses have some sort of onsite IT presence but if yours doesn’t it may be worth considering a MSP that can provide onsite support to your office.

For business continuity reasons it is preferable that your network and data be located in an area unlikely to experience a disaster. Geographic diversification is also a factor to consider; it’s a good idea to have your data stored at multiple sites in different geographic areas to avoid a single event destroying everything. Because clear communication with your IT service provider is integral the location of the support office is often considered.

Availability
Evaluate the MSP’s availability. Do they offer live support 24/7/365? Do they allow personnel access to your server 24/7/365? Compare your needs with any restrictions considering all possible scenarios.

Reliability
Does the MSP have a good track record of minimizing downtime and providing stable services? What are the minimum service requirements and what are the procedures if these requirements are not met? Make sure all service parameters are detailed in the service level agreements and compare.

Conclusion
Make sure to be thorough and fair in your comparisons. This list is a great starting point but you should examine the needs of your business, most likely a key factor in making your decision is not mentioned above.

• Learn business continuity best practices
• Learn what your company can do to achieve business continuity
• Have your questions answered by our IT experts
• Attendees will receive a 30 day free trial of NexVault online data backup

Complimentary sandwiches and beverages provided.

DATE:

Thursday, Feb 23 2012

TIME:

11:30am – 1:00pm

Location:

Nexus Management offices and Data Center
4 Industrial Parkway, Brunswick, Maine 04011

Assessment
The first step to creating a disaster recovery plan is assessment. Thoroughly list all risks that could threaten your day to day operations including: technical failures, natural disasters, and human threats. Analyze each risk by assessing the consequences and probability of each disaster scenario.

Inventory IT assets and outline technology infrastructure
Take stock of all your business’s IT assets noting how long your business can operate without each and how vulnerable each is to the various threats.

Prioritize and set service level expectations
First decide how important each asset is to your daily operations. Next determine the minimum level of availability that must be maintained by each IT asset for business to run smoothly. Then set thresholds for each IT asset, when the threshold is breached it’s time to put the appropriate contingency plan into action.

Examine recovery options
Once you have evaluated your IT infrastructure and set service level expectations it’s time to consider recovery strategies. Investigate all available recovery options and evaluate the pros and cons of each. Some things to consider might be the time to recovery, effort needed to maintain, and the cost of the recovery strategy.

Set contingency plans
Next plan a course of action to follow when a disaster causes the service level to fall below expectations. Detail each step that must be taken to achieve successful recovery and establish which personnel will be responsible for completing each task.

Document and train
Make sure your plan is clearly defined, documented and kept in multiple easy to access locations. Also make sure that everyone involved in the recovery process understands their role and is properly trained.

Testing
Now that you have completed the plan it’s time to put it to the test. During the initial test run you should be appraising the plan’s completeness and effectiveness so you can correct any oversights. If everything goes as planned then the only thing left is to set up a regular testing schedule.

Conclusion
A well designed and regularly tested disaster recovery plan is essential to weathering the uncertainties of life. Nexus Management offers many effective disaster recovery solutions to support your recovery strategies. Our High Availability Virtual Enterprise Network (HAVEN) ensures that your data is always available and stored securely in our N+1 Data Center. NexVault, our online data backup and recovery solution, is a simple and effective way to recover lost data.  And our Disaster Recovery Suites allow your essential employees to continue working without missing a beat anytime you lose access to your offices.

Widespread adoption of cloud computing, resulting from developing technology and increasing needs for efficiency, has sparked the interest of many businesses. But many still do not fully understand cloud computing and are burdened by misconceptions. Hopefully these misconceptions will be cleared up below.

1. Cloud services are not secure. In many cases cloud services are actually more secure than in-house systems. IT service providers such as a Nexus Management specialize in providing virtual and cloud applications. These companies are generally more knowledgeable about IT security, and are able to devote more resources than a business needing to fit IT into a budget.
2. The ROI is too low. Depending on exactly what your business is trying to accomplish through cloud services you could cut hardware, software, and even maintenance costs significantly. Cloud solutions eliminate huge capital expenses and make IT costs much more budget friendly. Because the cloud is flexible your business only needs to pay for the minimum resources it needs today, while retaining the ability to easily scale in the future.
3. I don’t know where my data is. Many IT service provides such as Nexus Management can guarantee the location of your data, so you know it’s safe and compliant. You want to make sure it’s in a secure location where a disaster is unlikely to occur. Having your data in geographically diverse locations is also something to consider.
4. I will lose control of my data. Sure there is another level between you and your data but it is still your data, make sure the Service Level Agreement clearly states this. Having a dedicated IT staff monitoring and managing your cloud 24/7/365 actually provides much more control, even if the data isn’t stored in your office.
5. Cloud services are not ready for enterprise users. Recent economic turmoil has forced many businesses to find ways to cut costs, which in turn has pressured information technology experts to find more efficient solutions. This recent pressure has led to new developments in cloud based solutions and has made the cloud enterprise friendly. Lots of businesses are moving to the cloud, don’t be left behind.
6. Using cloud services increases the risk of downtime. Actually the opposite is true. Because cloud based solutions operate using several physical servers many think that if any one of those servers has a problem the entire cloud will go down. But actually it would take multiple hardware problems occurring simultaneously to knock a virtual server offline, thus making cloud solutions less susceptible to downtime stemming from hardware failures.

Cloud computing solutions can help businesses in a variety of ways. And although it’s true the cloud may not be for everyone hopefully this article dispelled some of the most common myths about cloud computing. Send us a request for information to learn how virtualization and cloud solutions from Nexus Management could help your business.