Cloud Source, Author at Cloud Source

Cloud Computing Still Rising Trend in 2015

February 20, 2015 by Cloud Source

A recent Computerworld article indicates the trend toward cloud computing will continue its upward climb in the enterprise IT world. When 194 IT executives answered a November 2014 poll, one quarter had moved applications to the cloud and intended more moves in the near future.

The survey also revealed that: Roughly 14 percent of IT executives have migrated email, calendar tools, storage and documents to the cloud. Additionally, nine percent were in the process of moving a portion of their networking and data center infrastructure.

Roughly 16 percent of executives surveyed named cloud computing as the technology of primary importance to their IT departments; 18 percent believe the cloud will be the most disruptive business technology for the next three to five years.

Gains still to be made

Market analysts see cloud migration continuing to grow as businesses ramp up cloud use instead of pursuing an “all or nothing” transition. By moving workloads and apps in planned, systemic migrations, IT organizations are achieving the agility they need while still addressing their security concerns.

Many IT leaders agree that migrating data and apps is a great way to slash costs because it eliminates infrastructure and administrative costs from the budget. Other cloud advantages are scalability and disaster recovery. Over time, cloud vendors have also displayed the ability to address security concerns, removing one of the last migration obstacles to cloud computing skeptics.

Breaking down the barriers

As the IT community continues to accept the security of the cloud, two lingering adoption barriers are the complex systems and customized software many companies use. Transforming the industry may require the establishment of best practices for implementing cloud-based systems. One way of doing that is by viewing the cloud not just as the latest technological advance but as a philosophy adding value to their organizations.

For instance, the hybrid cloud is valuable in cases where leaving some solutions on-site is preferable, such as apps running huge data streams. Highly customized software tools, however, present a migrating challenge. For other applications, IT departments can combine some systems and decommission others that have proven to be too inflexible or unwieldy.

Changing IT focus

Without the burden of managing infrastructure, IT staff will expand their skill sets to include project and vendor management, while IT managers shift their focus from developers to managing vendors. Additionally, since IT staffers now have more interactions with users, companies must provide them with effective communication strategies so the business objectives continue to be advanced.

Cloud computing will continue to gain ground for the foreseeable future. IT executives realize the cloud will be a major tool in their arsenal, and barriers to cloud adoption are falling by the wayside. With a reduced focus on managing infrastructure, IT staff will be free to focus on adding more value to the business.

4 Barriers to Change in the IT Community

February 6, 2015 by Cloud Source

Time and again, those in the field of enterprise technology are discovering that the biggest barriers to implementing technological advances are the attitudes of those in IT. Below are four examples of barriers to technology transformations, and ways IT can learn to embrace them.

The global marketplace

Any major technology shift, such as from region-based computing systems to global networks, is sure to run into some glitches. One way for organizations to ease the transition is to reach out to employees for feedback on the transformation’s likely affect on end-to-end operations. This provides more data for critical decisions, and gives staff a chance to provide context.

It’s important from a human perspective that employees feel their contributions are valued. This aspect can get lost in translation with a complete system overhaul. Companies that rule with a velvet glove, rather than an iron fist, can encourage staff to embrace new technologies by stressing the benefits of globalization, such as eliminating service duplication. While there will always be internal changes in a shift of this magnitude, giving up regional control doesn’t have to be a bitter pill to swallow.

Domain changes

Whenever a domain changes, the challenge is to make sure every consequence is accounted for and adjusted. Files must be migrated, marketing materials modified, search results, company forms, and voice recordings must be updated to reflect the domain change.

To accomplish this goal, companies can build a multi-functional team from different sectors that is tasked with tracking down every last detail. From communication alerts sent to partners, vendors, and customers, to different methods of logging in to portals, each disparate step must be altered. Communication is essential, and creativity can be key to alerting users to new opportunities for an excellent customer experience.

The migration of legacy applications

In many circumstances, companies save costs when they migrate their legacy apps to a cloud-based platform. Concerns with this type of transition are hurdles like integrations and customizations, securing personally identifiable information, and maintaining security before, during and after the migration. All of these migratory phases can add days, or even weeks to the transition if the team fails to adapt to the new system. This challenge can be managed if the company factors in training time during the transition, during which employees can be rewarded and encouraged to embrace the change.

Building partnerships

Traditionally, IT departments have operated more as lone wolves rather than team players. If companies are willing to take advantage of the knowledge IT employees possess, the lone wolf relationship can change. IT employees hold valuable information about company data streams, security measures, integration points, and application support models. Turning to IT as partners, rather than gatekeepers, sends a message of inclusion.

Engaging employees can help transform a company culture near painlessly. When employees are shown that their knowledge and expertise is valued, appreciated, and needed, the battle is halfway won.

Managed Cloud Services: When IT Leaders Should Avoid DIY

January 16, 2015 by Cloud Source

The cloud can be many things to many companies. In some ways, the cloud offers a multifaceted revolution that mirrors the way outsourced data years ago changed how IT departments operate.

Businesses can buy in completely and outsource the entire cloud solution, or they can keep certain sectors in-house while outsourcing other services. One major option involves outsourcing the cloud platform itself while keeping other aspects of IT internal. The decision to run a private cloud on-site or off-site depends on the company’s expectations and strategies.

Cloud solutions generally offer two benefits: reduced costs and better computing at scale. Companies that are small, growing, or changing may lean toward outsourced cloud platforms. Larger or less dynamic companies may prefer to keep everything in-house. Let’s examine the reasons behind these decisions.

Private Clouds with Managed Services

Businesses concerned with short-term ROI (return on investment) love the ability to adopt private cloud solutions managed by third parties. Zero or minimal investment and controllable costs make it easy to bring in value rapidly.

There’s more to the equation. Positive aspects of managed cloud include these:

No new hardware to buy.
Data storage can be scaled easily.
The service provider manages risk (security, replication, disaster recovery).
Upgrades and improvements are automatically handled by the provider.
Expert management means small companies benefit from wider knowledge.

Additionally, smaller companies can focus internal IT on other initiatives when leaving some heavy lifting to a third party. Cloud technology offers a wider suite of applications and purposes than many small and medium businesses can handle in-house. Longtime IT employees may not have much specialty skills regarding cloud. Outsourcing the new stuff services leaving internal staff to focus on other concerns may prove the wisest course for plenty of businesses.

In-House Management of Cloud Platforms

Managing a private cloud on-site affords businesses the greatest control over hardware and certain bespoke options of the computing system. For larger companies that know exactly what they need and have the resources to fill the obligations, in-house management makes sense.

Some specific reasons to choose internal cloud management include the following:

To personally oversee security and compliance protocols.
To provide the most direct access to the system for expert internal staff.
To make use of employees who are fully trained and up-to-date on cloud platforms.

Essentially, internal management offers the optimal combination of dedication and customization for a business that is up to the task.

Making Choices in an Evolving Landscape

The decision to host or outsource a private cloud comes easily for many businesses. For others, the future may seem too unclear. As evolved and established as the cloud is, the market certainly will change significantly in the coming years. New blends of private and public, on-premise and off-premise may emerge.

For the next several, internal platforms hold the greatest appeal for large companies expecting the least change. For evolving needs, outsourcing cloud solutions offers the safest solution.

Rivals are poaching your IT staff. Here’s how.

January 5, 2015 by Cloud Source

Since extremely low unemployment rates in the IT sector mean the best talent already have jobs, direct competitors have even more incentive to go after candidates of rivals (due to industry familiarity, special skill sets, similar software being used). The end result: passive candidates are easily the most sought-after targets in IT.

Happily employed candidates need very compelling arguments to be lured away. Here’s how that happens:

A competitor uses more advanced, forward-thinking technologies
The candidate gets convinced of a better cultural fit elsewhere
Pay and benefits are substantially better (not just slightly better)

What should employers do?

Know that employees may be approached by other companies at any moment. Instead of ignoring the possibilities, an employer should engage IT workers on issues of employment satisfaction.

Giving employees access and transparency with upper management can also help prevent defection. Workers are less likely to imagine greener grass if they feel respected and included in the company’s strategy.

Taking Cues from Executive Search Firms

With passive candidates being so desirable, the would-be talent poachers do not need the budget to afford professional headhunters. Many tools of executive search are available to anyone in the IT world.

The process of stealing away desirable workers often begins with something as simple as a LinkedIn connect or a conversation at an IT conference. Headhunting doesn’t have to be much more sophisticated than that.

Companies should not assume that competitors lack the resources to contact and lure away IT talent. Small companies often operate within small worlds — making established talent more likely to be approached.

Certain Perks Are More Influential than Others

IT professionals are unlikely to leave a good situation because a competitor has a ping-pong table. The immense competition for top IT talent makes benefits packages highly crucial. While satisfied employees are unlikely to jump ship because of a small raise or access to a ping-pong table, there are many perks that can interest tech workers enough to leave.

Some of the most desirable benefits to consider:

Unlimited vacation time and flexible scheduling
On-site amenities including gym access, free lunches (and dinners)
Investment in education and career development

The Old-Fashioned Reward: Paycheck Size

Workers can be motivated through a variety of means, but financial compensation always plays a central role. Employees who do not feel much loyalty can be persuaded with money, while the loyal bunch may feel hurt if an employer fails to offer a competitive salary.

Businesses should stay abreast of salary trends for positions, industries, and geographic locations. Considering that above-market offers may be made by serious competitors, employers would be wise to proactively address promotions and raises.

In IT, talent retention should be considered as vital to success as the hiring process for unfilled positions. In many ways, every valuable IT worker is a candidate for employment and should be courted as such.

Tailor VoIP Solutions to Fit Business Needs

December 18, 2014 by Cloud Source

New advances in the telecommunications field like VoIP phone systems have proven that they can save money for owners of small and medium-sized businesses. But those wanting to make the change to VoIP may be vacillating over the decision to go with hosted VoIP or VoIP PBX. These tips may make the decision clearer for some still on the fence.

Technology Matters

High-speed Internet is the only thing needed to start taking advantage of VoIP savings. Larger businesses with an on-site IT department can make a seamless transition to VoIP PBX. Even those businesses without an in-house IT department can install the system and contract with an independent IT company to manage it. However, making the switch to hosted VoIP still makes sense for businesses with small IT departments or those who rely on outside providers for their IT services.

Choosing a hosted VoIP makes sense for many companies because it’s readily affordable as an additional business expense. The set-up is minimal; the software is downloaded and telephones with IP capability are installed. The host provider will usually assess the needs of the business and set up the appropriate features. In addition, most service representatives are available during the transition to assign telephone extensions, set up call trees and voicemail, and make sure that all employees have necessary access.

The bandwidth for a hosted VoIP system may need to be increased because a provider remotely managing the system will require additional resources. The service rep can make the necessary arrangements with IP providers to upgrade a company’s Internet options. While this may cost a bit more, the savings from the new system will still be worthwhile.

Long-term Solutions

At some point in the future, a company using a hosted VoIP system may decide the real savings lies in implementing VoIP PBX. This can be common when a company leases resources or equipment. The deciding factor may depend on the status of a company’s operating budget as opposed to its capital expenditures. Hosted VoIP belongs in the category of operating expense while a VoIP PBX system falls under capital expenses.

Pros & Cons of Hosted VoIP Systems

Pros

Low start-up costs are attractive to businesses on limited operating budgets.
Minimal ongoing maintenance fees.
Fewer company resources are expended with outside management of the telecommunications system.
Ease and efficiency of transitioning the phone system.

Cons

If the VoIP provider goes belly up, the business will have no telephone service. This can be avoided by choosing stable providers with a proven industry track record.
Customizing features can be more of a challenge.
Although this varies with providers, additional fees may be required if new features or users are added later.

Pros & Cons of VoIP PBX Systems

Pros

The on-site IT management provides the business with a higher level of control over the uses and features.
Easily customized to the specific needs of the business.
Relative ease in adding users and features without contracting with an outside provider.

Cons

Initial start-up costs are higher for set-up and hardware.
If a move becomes necessary, relocating the server can be quite burdensome.
Diverts IT resources to dedicate a system operator, increasing payroll costs.

Improving the bottom line of a business can be as simple as assessing its telecommunication needs and finding a system that incorporates the money-saving features it requires with the technologies it demands.

Contact Cloud Source

4 Barriers to Change in the IT Community

Rivals are poaching your IT staff. Here’s how.

Tailor VoIP Solutions to Fit Business Needs

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