CAN SMB’S AFFORD THE CLOUD?

The Cloud Can Provide A Great Solution For Many Companies, But Are Small and Medium Sized Business Priced Out of the Cloud?

The cloud is the talk of the tech town these days and it seems companies in all industries are experimenting with some form of cloud computing service.  As cloud-mania continues to unfold we must step back and ask if this exciting technology provides a level playing field.  Large corporations are able to spend massive amounts on R&D to develop in-house cloud systems.  If in-house is not possible, they are able to work with a cloud supplier to meet their needs.  But what about SMB’s without large capital reserves and who are unable to develop this technology in house?  Are they priced out of the cloud?

Development of cloud technology, sourcing data hosting services if needed, implementation and training can quickly eat into a budget to develop and deploy a cloud solution.  SMB’s do not have the resources to go through this difficult and technical process by themselves.  A turnkey solution is required if SMB’s are able to get a good shot at utilizing cloud technology to its fullest potential. 

A turnkey solution can provide SMB’s the technology and support necessary to maximize the benefits of a cloud solution.  Bundle packages that includes support, hosted servers, a virtual desktop, and other features can save a company both time and money.  Anyone who has had to pay for technical support by the hour knows this number can add up quickly.  SMB’s need to seek out companies that provide a cloud solution and technical support to reduce costs associated with IT.

What else should be analyzed when choosing a cloud provider?  Security, availability, customer service, and price are just a few considerations.  SMB’s must be careful with their IT budgets as constant advancement can cost a fortune.  When deciding what cloud solution to implement, and for any other IT project, a good cost benefit analysis can help save time and money.

For more information on a cloud solution that provides the support, security, and mobility necessary to grow your business check out Effortless Office.  Their services are competitively priced and billing occurs as a fixed monthly amount so that business owners do not have any surprises on their bill.  You can get more information by contacting Corbin Bridge at cbridge@effortlessoffice.com

How Are We Effortless?

“I need tech support” may be a phrase you find yourself shuddering as you say it.  Long wait times, outrageous hourly prices, and a myriad of other issues make calling your tech support provider a less than pleasant experience.  It doesn’t have to be that way and Effortless Office makes solving all your technical problems, well, effortless.

Effortless Office provides 24X7X365 tech support that utilizes a ticketing system where you, the user, can classify the level of urgency of your request.  Have one network printer down, but the other is still working?  May not be a huge issue, but when you put in your ticket your issue will be resolved within 24 hours.  What if one of your key decision makers is having technical issues?  Indicate this in your ticket and expect a response time of two hours or less to have the problem attended to.

Tech companies are able to charge high hourly rates due to their specialty.  You need their services to keep your business running and there is no way to avoid that fact.  However, you don’t have to pay ridiculous rates that cut into your bottom line.  Effortless Office builds all the support you require into their fixed monthly cost.  Whether you need support once a month or once a day, Effortless Office will not nickel and dime you for their assistance.

How about services offered?  Does your tech support company provide all the services you need or do you have to contact multiple companies to meet all your needs?  If you fall in the latter category you know the hassle of dealing with multiple companies to meet your goals, and the headache of getting everyone to work together nicely.  Effortless Office takes that headache away by being your one-stop shop and providing all the services you need.  Cloud, virtual desktop, tech support, and security are all provided for a fixed price that doesn’t change and doesn’t come with surprise fees after you sign up.

Why dedicate one of your most precious resources, your time, to dealing with tech companies that make you wait, charge high prices, and don’t provide everything you truly need?  Meeting your IT needs has never been more effortless and a simple call can get you started today!  We can be reached anytime at 702-755-9376 and help you get started today!

Virtual Desktops and Biomedical Research: A Match Made in a Lab!

Virtual desktops and biomedical research!  What an exciting pair!  Biomedical research is always looking to the future.  What problems to solve, how to solve them, and a myriad of other challenging questions.  Virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) is here to answer the needs of many businesses today, including the biomedical sector.

A VDI solution will help researchers around the world connect and solve the problems of the medical world at a pace never before experienced.  Mobility, scalability, and security will be provided like never before.  Mobility is critical for researchers around the world.  The ability to access their documents from any device in any location around the world will speed their research and ability to solve the challenging questions of today.  Faster and more reliable access to data will allow for researchers to collaborate with each other while away from their offices. 

Scalability is another important factor for research teams.  As projects pick up pace and require more employees, research companies must be able to meet that demand.  VDI solutions allow for new desktops to be added and subtracted within minutes so that new users are up and running in no time, regardless of their location.  By implementing a bring-your-own-device (BYOD) environment, employees can continue working on devices that they already know how to use.  The quick scalability offered by VDI also means that companies will not need to take the time to set up new computers for new employees.  As all the information is hosted in the cloud, the new employee will have access to up to date software and operating systems from the start.

Security is always an issue for anyone using cloud technology.  People worry about theft, hacking, and other forms of loss.  By utilizing a virtual desktop companies can take relief that their data is more secure since no data is stored locally on a device.  If a device is lost, stolen, or hacked there is no risk of data being compromised.  In an industry where being first to market is a constant pressure, biomedical researchers will be able to benefit greatly from this technology and the security that it brings.  Many cloud and VDI providers also offer other security features ranging from anti-virus to filtering services and even include where their servers are housed. 

Mobility, scalability, and security are all major factors for biomedical companies when considering if virtual desktop technology is right for them.  The benefits are huge and could radically change the way research is conducted around the world.  To find out how a virtual desktop can help your company visit www.effortlessoffice.com or email us at cbridge@effortlessoffice.com for more information.

Why Go Cloud?

The cloud has been mentioned, discussed, and hyped up for a while now, and all for good reason.  As technology advances and business owners are looking for easier and safer ways to access their data the cloud is the reoccurring answer.  But are the current cloud solutions adequate?  Or is there a better solution available?  

The cloud offers businesses around the world the ability to access the data they have stored regardless of their location. Those traveling can now save files in the cloud and access them when needed instead of printing or saving a bunch of files on their laptops.  For today’s traveling businessman this is a great tool!  However, is this truly what we need?  Why only have access to a few select files saved in the cloud?  Wouldn’t it be easier to have access to the entire desktop at any time on any device?  In a fast paced world, this is the capabilities that we need. 

Business owners need the ability to access their entire desktop from any device anywhere in the world.  Eliminating the need to select which files to save in the cloud eliminates the risk of missing important documents.  Companies that allow telecommuting will also benefit from this technology.  Employees will be able to work from home or on the road, having their entire desktop readily available.

Another important issue in the discussion of cloud computing is security.  A virtual desktop provides superior levels of security since no data is stored locally.  With the desktop in the cloud, lost or stolen devices will not compromise sensitive company or client information.

Cost savings are another benefit of cloud computing.  By utilizing a thin client, companies can reduce their energy consumption by almost 70%!  Additionally, the normal 3 year life cycle for desktop hardware is obsolete.  Thin clients, the gateway to the cloud, will operate longer and more reliable than a desktop, which will save IT departments the cost of constantly upgrading hardware.

As the cloud becomes a bigger topic of discussion it will also become more necessary for businesses.  Access, security, and cost are all major factors in business success.  Owners can no longer ignore the benefits of cloud computing, and should embrace the new technology as a means to improve and grow their own businesses.