Leverage Faster Internet to Grow Your Business with Cloud Computing
March 30, 2012
Greater Bandwidth Creates Opportunity
• Fiber optic connectivity is a competitive advantage for businesses.
– Applications – not speed.
– Future proofing the connection
– Beyond faster downloads and email
• Business Applications
– Better quality IP telephony
– Video conferencing
– Cloud computing
What is Cloud Computing?
• IT assets obtained as services – Monthly maintenance
fee – Minimal up-front costs
• Application/Software (SaaS)
• Platform (PaaS) – Control Panel Web
Hosting – Force.com, Google API
• Hardware (IaaS) – Server virtualization,
storage, etc.
Cloud Computing Benefits
• Reduced Capital Costs – Hardware – Software
• Reduced Overhead – Fewer IT staff – Lower power consumption
• Scalability – Pay as you go per megabit or per seat
• Flexible Access – VPN’s are not required to access apps.
• Automatic Updates – Low Maintenance • Built in Disaster Recovery • Best in class services for small business budgets
4 GWI Confidential
Mitigating Cloud Computing Risks
• Control & Privacy – Understanding where copies are stored – Careful review of privacy policies
• Data Security – Ensure stored data is encrypted – Mistrust any partner who can decrypt your data for you – Data should be transmitted via a private network, SSH, or other encrypted
tunnel
• Responsiveness – Ensure that ample bandwidth is available – Ensure low latency to the cloud computing partner – Diverse IP connectivity is preferred
• Service Level Management – Mean time to recover/restore – Maintenance schedule
Choosing a Cloud Partner
• Nearby Data Centers (Low Latency)
• Good data security and backup policies
• Consider Carriers – Connectivity can be managed for performance and
security
– Possible savings through bundling with telecom services
– One-call, one-bill convenience
– Many have local support staff
A Few Examples of Cloud Computing Services
• Hosted PBX
• Hosted Storage (GWI G-Drive)
• Hosted Backup (GWI G-Recovery)
• Hosted Exchange
• HAVEN - Server Virtualization
• Data Center Services
Hosted PBX
• Replaces the premise based phone switch and voice mail with a slice of the carrier’s switch – Business pays a monthly per seat fee – Business may purchase phones, lease them, or they may be included in the monthly fee
• Benefits – Significant avoided CAPX – Operating expense benefits
• Updates, maintenance and backup are covered • Power consumption is reduced
– Scalable – Mobile
• Integration with cellular phones • Handsets work on almost any quality broadband connection
– Disaster recovery
• Requires significant symmetrical bandwidth from business to service provider – Call delivery and quality – All calls, internal and external, travel to the Internet for routing
Hosted Data Storage
• Replaces NAS (Network Attached Storage) Devices – Save, copy, paste and share, just like a network drive – Web access via SSH or access via the GWI WAN
• Benefits – Lower cost – Accessible
• No VPN’s needed
– Secure • Government grade 256-bit or better encryption • Only client has the decryption key
– Reliable • Automatic back up • Geo-diverse sites
– Scalable (Buy what you need, pay by the gigabit.)
Hosted Backup and Recovery
• Managed backup of your server environment – Automatic off-site storage – Fully encrypted – Option to stand up a virtual server in a DR situation – Optional compression of data reduces cost
• Benefits – Automated – less human error than manual tape
processes – Secure – less chance that a backup tape will be stolen, lost,
or copied – Flexible - Recovery available at the mailbox level
Hosted Exchange
• Web based system for Email, Calendar, Contacts, Tasks and shared folders – Eliminates the need for an in house exchange
environment
• Exchange Benefits – Shared calendar makes scheduling easier – Central task assignments and tracking – Permissions based sharing of mail and
contacts folders
• Cloud Benefits vs. In-House – Significant CAPX savings in hardware and
licensing – Reduced obsolescence risk – Reduced Operating Expenses
• Smaller IT skill set required • Reduced power consumption
– Accessible • Outlook client or web access • No VPN required
High Availability Virtual Enterprise Network (HAVEN)
• Virtual servers to house business applications and data – Starting at 2GHz Processor
20Gb RAM 20Gb Storage – Easy incremental growth in
processors, RAM and Storage
• Benefits – Reduced CAPX – Reduce obsolescence risk – Reduced Operating Expenses
• Fewer In-House IT staff required • Reduced power consumption
– High availability – Scalable – Monitored 24-7-365
Data Center
• Off-site home for your servers – Build your own Cloud – Specialized applications – Sensitive data
• Benefits – High availability
• Diverse internet connectivity • Backup power systems
– Secure and safe • Keycard access • Video surveillance • Gaseous fire suppression • Redundant cooling
– Nearby • Low latency • Easy access
– On the GWI Core • Nationwide private network
connectivity.
THANK YOU!
Your questions are welcome and encouraged! To ask a question, please raise your hand using the GoToWebinar control panel.