Cloud Computing

Cloud Computing Services Phoenix, Arizona
Cloud Computing Services Phoenix, Arizona

So, someone told you to switch to the cloud? Finding the right cloud solution for your business can be daunting – especially with all the options on the market today. To make sure you’re selecting the best possible solution for your users’ needs, it's important to understand the benefits of each option.

Many Phoenix small, medium, and large companies move their on-premise software to the cloud because of the ease and accessibility of cloud computing.

Using cloud computing, users can access software from any computer at any time. The cloud computing process is enabled by data centers. The data center stores all the software and data until the user initiates the cloud computing process. Once the information is accessible, it can be accessed from anywhere with an Internet connection. The storage centers may be close to you, in another state or even overseas.  It is not important where the data is stored since it is available whenever and wherever a user starts the program. Data can even be stored in several locations around the world and still appear as if they were in one accessible place.

Options For Cloud Computing

According to the need, business type, and program, there are four types of cloud resources.

A public cloud is open to the public through a subscription or account. Among the many public clouds offered by SymbiSystems are QuickBooks, EMR systems, Microsoft 365, and GSuite, all of which offer services and shared resources to the public. Each of our clients receives assistance in using and managing these services.

In a private cloud, resources aren't shared, and only one business uses them. BlueKey offers a hosted server as a private cloud computing option to its clients. Using this service means clients can enjoy the benefits of having a company server without having to worry about updating hardware, server maintenance, or a crisis at work.

A hybrid cloud is a combination of private and public cloud services, depending on the organization's needs. SymbiSystems provides off-site backups to all its clients as part of a monthly agreement.

Communal clouds are shared cloud services that are most commonly used by government entities.

How Does This Benefit You?

There are many advantages, particularly in a mobile and global society. In the clinic, at home, or on the road, doctors and dentists can access and input patient information. Cloud computing resources are available whenever and wherever an employee is doing business. Due to the fact that many Electronic Medical Records (EMR) programs are in the cloud, doctors and dentists are not chained to their offices anymore to make it easy for CPA and Accountants to access client data securely. Any questions clients may have about their accounts can be answered quickly and issues solved from anywhere in the world.

Cost

Cloud computing services are priced based on the type of program and cloud resources used. Hosted servers are advantageous for growing companies that want their hardware to grow with them and can be charged by the number of users or the amount of data they use. As a company grows, its resources also grow compared to paying for them up front. This avoids the need for new hardware every 5-7 years, provides data center security and can be paid on a monthly basis.  As part of private cloud computing, it can be more expensive over time than on-premises options.

In some cases, public cloud computing can be less expensive. Users can access email, files, and collaboration software anywhere using programs like Microsoft 365 or Google's GSuite. Monthly subscription fees cover all updates, so new software does not need to be purchased. Because of frequent updates, cloud users don't have to migrate from one version to another. As a result of the slow pace of change, it's easier to learn.  The admin portal is also more secure, manageable, and usable in a public cloud computing solution.

Admin Access & Control

Admin access is another advantage of cloud computing. Administrator accounts have dashboards that allow the admin or owner to see the analytics about the program's use. When hiring and firing employees, it is also easy to grant and reverse staff access. A disgruntled, fired employee poses the greatest threat to a company's data. Delete an employee's account if he/she is unhappy with cloud software and deny access instantly.  

If the employee does not follow termination procedures, the software and data could be compromised or lost. Without the cloud, the software and data may be on the employee's computer in a remote location. Using the cloud, access can be terminated regardless of where the employee or computer is located.

Security

In data centers where cloud companies store data, many security protocols are in place. The data center protects the data with systems that only allow a few personnel on site who must receive clearance. As well as keeping hardware and software up to date for security and speed, data centers encrypt data using AES-256 to keep data secure while in transit. They also make sure weather, temperature, fire, and water damage precautions are in place. Data security relies on AES-256 and physical security.

Disadvantages

The disadvantages are few but large files can be cumbersome in the cloud.  Therefore, engineers and architects may not use the cloud for AutoCad files. The servers in the cloud are located outside of the same building, so any files will have to be uploaded and downloaded. Depending on your Internet speed, it may take a long time to upload and download large files. It may work for some people to only work on certain parts of the files or only make changes to the file once it is in the cloud. Office programs or Google Apps can be accessed from the cloud by many in these fields instead of an on-site server.

Benefits

It is a great choice for companies who choose to back up their data in the cloud, since data centers are so secure and damage-mitigation friendly. Fire, water, and theft are all threats to on-site systems, so restoring the off-site data can minimize downtime if a crisis occurs. Businesses can lower costs and get back to revenue generating work faster if they keep Return to Operation (RTO) times to a minimum after a crisis.  With off-site backups, business owners can rest assured that their operating systems, software, data, and configurations can be restored quickly.

Cloud Tech Support

The SymbiSystems product is an excellent resource for companies using cloud computing. Cloud software is usually backed by tech support, but it can be difficult to understand because it interacts with the company's network. It is common for office managers and business owners to find themselves in a situation where the cloud support blames the network. These problems can take a long time to resolve or may never be resolved.  It saves staff member time and frustration by communicating with the cloud technical support. Our solution solves problems quickly without interrupting workers' work.

Working Remotely

We support employees whether they are in the office or off-site because SymbiSystems works with clients that have remote access to on-site servers, hosted servers or cloud software. In addition to setting up employees to work remotely using the cloud, the team resolves issues related to the Internet, printers, software, and operating systems in the remote location. Working in the cloud can be very similar to working in the office if you have the right support.

The Best Options

As a Chief Technology Officer for business owners, SymbiSystems works with them on cloud computing solutions and on-premise software recommendations. Since we work with many different types of companies, the team can bring the knowledge of what works in different situations. The recommendations allow the business owners to concentrate on their mission and then help them achieve that mission with the best tech tools.

Cloud computing is an excellent option for many companies. SymbiSystems can help with the setup of cloud programs, mitigating system problems, providing hosted private cloud servers, and providing cloud backups. When a company owner considers moving to the cloud, SymbiSystems is there to help with the decision making process, roll out the cloud software, the hosted server or the cloud backup, and assist with any issues that may arise.