Go to VISTECH.com for information on Cloud Computing, Managed Services, Email Hosting, and Unified Communications/VOIP solutions.
We are always on the watch for the 'next best thing' when it comes to technology and the Internet. Certainly no one can doubt that the next generation of the Internet (known as Web 2.0) has had a dramatic affect on how people interact and connect with each other - both from an individual standpoint and a business one.
Another emerging concept that has the power to change how we perform tasks is taking place before us as well, and it is called 'cloud computing.' Simply put, it is the ability to use resources and tools via the Internet without actually owning or being near them. The only requirement is to be able to access them.
The term 'cloud' is used to indicate the whole of computing services accessible via the Internet. It is an all-encompassing description of the complex internet-connected networks that exist in datacenters all over the world that power services and applications behind the scenes.
The concept of utilizing resources in these networks is being adopted by businesses both large and small. These resources are categorized to describe their function, and include:
1.Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
2.Platform as a Service (PaaS)
3.Software as a Service (SaaS)
4.Web 2.0
In the most general terms, Infrastructure as a Service means that companies may no longer need to own and house their own back-end servers and other network computing infrastructure besides an internet-connected PC or laptop in order to maintain business functionality. This capability can be purchased on a subscription basis from entities that market these services in a 'virtual' manner. This allows businesses to keep their costs low by not having to purchase, maintain and recycle their own equipment for this purpose, and also mitigates the possibility of business interruption due to the highly available nature of these solutions. This equates to increased uptime and profitability for Infrastructure as a Service customers.
Platform as a Service is also known as 'cloudware', and refers to the availability of development tools in creating web applications and services to the end user. Like IaaS, you never 'see' the inner-workings of this environment unless you are a computer programmer or IT resource, but it exists nonetheless and again affords those who use these tools the ability to reduce costs while running their businesses.
Sofware as a Service is defined as software applications that are subscribed to and accessed only through the Internet, and not installed on local PCs or laptops. Applications built by and accessed via Google fall into this category, as well as the many photo sites to which you can upload your pictures and videos, edit and share them with others. These solutions are gaining tremendous popularity, because end users do not need to install, update and maintain software locally - only connect to it and use it when the need arises.
Web 2.0 describes the whole of the social networking movement on the Internet, and includes but is not limited to destinations such as Facebook, MySpace, eHarmony, LinkedIn and Twitter. These sites offer the ability for people all over the world to share common interests, stay connected and learn more about each other - and these sites aren't just for the young. Statistics show that the over 50 generation is logging onto these sites in greater numbers than ever before. In fact, in one month alone, Facebook adds over 17,000 new members.
The next time you are on the Internet and upload a photograph and use the online tools to modify that picture, you are participating in 'cloud computing.' The picture is probably loaded to a site that uses IaaS for their servers, PaaS in order to provide the visual interface in which you modify the photograph, and SaaS applications you'll use to access your email program and social networking sites in order to send it to or post it for those with whom you would like to share the picture. Content by Managed Services Provider University
Rick Huebner is President & CEO of VISTECH.com, a managed service provider serving Connecticut, New York, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. Go to VISTECH.com for information on Cloud Computing, Managed Services, Email Hosting, and Unified Communications/VOIP solutions.
VISTECH.com exclusively uses Microsoft Unified Communications for its infrastructure and offers hosting, colocated, and on-site unified communications solutions.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Embrace the Horror
For me, it's been the more you learn about doing business over the web, the less it makes sense. Facebook, Twitter, and others in the social media space were defined 'successes' before they made any money or in some cases had even remotely viable business models. I've had discussions with start-up companies who's sole mission is to collect registered users and then figure out how to 'monetize' them. It's hard to argue. Case in point, Mint.com, a free online budgeting website with somewhere in the neighborhood of 1.5M users, was acquired by Intuit in 2009 for $170M. At the time, Mint.com had been operating for about 2 years.
But the website world is just the beginning of the rush to give away products and services that once were highly valued. Today's push to the Cloud introduces a cost structure that makes it silly for almost all companies and organizations to internally build, update, and support the IT infrastructure they once held as a critical, maybe even differentiating, component of their business. With SalesForce.com, Google Apps, Microsoft Cloud offerings, etc., everyone can have enterprise class infrastructure without paying the big upfront cost and on-going cost of ownership of that infrastructure. It's all available, some for free, and some for ridiculously low per user per month charges.
For someone who's spent a career developing and selling software, a business model that demands it be provided without cost seems odd. As a consumer, knowing my personal information can be sold for hundreds or maybe even thousands of dollars, as websites monetize their free services, makes me a bit more cautious when registering to 'try out' a new thing on the web.
These realities led me to adopt a quote from one of my favorite movies, Armageddon. While trying to blow-up the asteriod hurling toward the earth, Rockhound (Steve Buscemi) makes a telling comment, "Guess what guys! It's time to embrace the horror! Look, we got front-row tickets to the end of the earth!" In my case, it's embrace the horror of the new world of social media, the new rules of doing business, and the new requirements of securing personal information.
In subsequent entries, I'll try to highlight specific topics and examples. See you then.
Rick Huebner is President & CEO of VISTECH.com, a technology company based in Hartford, CT. VISTECH.com assists clients with their IT strategy and delivers a wide range of products and services including Cloud Managed Services; Unified Communications/VOIP solutions; and outsourced software/web application design, development, maintenance, support.
But the website world is just the beginning of the rush to give away products and services that once were highly valued. Today's push to the Cloud introduces a cost structure that makes it silly for almost all companies and organizations to internally build, update, and support the IT infrastructure they once held as a critical, maybe even differentiating, component of their business. With SalesForce.com, Google Apps, Microsoft Cloud offerings, etc., everyone can have enterprise class infrastructure without paying the big upfront cost and on-going cost of ownership of that infrastructure. It's all available, some for free, and some for ridiculously low per user per month charges.
For someone who's spent a career developing and selling software, a business model that demands it be provided without cost seems odd. As a consumer, knowing my personal information can be sold for hundreds or maybe even thousands of dollars, as websites monetize their free services, makes me a bit more cautious when registering to 'try out' a new thing on the web.
These realities led me to adopt a quote from one of my favorite movies, Armageddon. While trying to blow-up the asteriod hurling toward the earth, Rockhound (Steve Buscemi) makes a telling comment, "Guess what guys! It's time to embrace the horror! Look, we got front-row tickets to the end of the earth!" In my case, it's embrace the horror of the new world of social media, the new rules of doing business, and the new requirements of securing personal information.
In subsequent entries, I'll try to highlight specific topics and examples. See you then.
Rick Huebner is President & CEO of VISTECH.com, a technology company based in Hartford, CT. VISTECH.com assists clients with their IT strategy and delivers a wide range of products and services including Cloud Managed Services; Unified Communications/VOIP solutions; and outsourced software/web application design, development, maintenance, support.
5 Reasons to Implement a Managed IT Services Solution
Go to VISTECH.com for information on Cloud Computing, Managed Services, Email Hosting, and Unified Communications/VOIP solutions.
Information Technology services are essential to the success of every organization, large or small. With increasingly competitive business environments, CEOs and small business owners are under great pressure to maintain a highly qualified staff and to make sure their technology is obtaining a better ROI than their competitors'.
These goals are not easily achieved, particularly for young or small businesses with less financial resources and time available. Having your own successful information technology department can eat up too much of the company's budget and time resources, and eventually cause a loss of its competitive edge. These disadvantages of maintaining an in-house IT department are why companies of all sizes have turned to using managed service providers to either assist their existing IT department or become their virtual IT department, handling all of the technology involved in keeping their businesses running at optimal levels.
The benefits of using a managed services solution are numerous, but the top 5 benefits of managed services for business include:
1.Benefit from the expertise of a specialist, without having to spend time and financial resources training your staff to become experts.
2.Decrease your technology risks. Your company doesn't have to worry about losing and trying to replace trained staff members, or about repairing, implementing or replacing complex technology solutions.
3.Enjoy access to the most up-to-date, sophisticated technology solutions without having to invest in expensive equipment.
4.Experience ultimate control over your business technology without having to manage an information technology department. This gives you the time you need to focus on what you do best: your business functions.
5.Reduce stress and improve efficiency of your staff. When you make good use of managed service resources, your staff isn't tied up with IT concerns and they have more time to focus on tasks that are productive for the business.
Content by Managed Services Provider University
Rick Huebner is President & CEO of VISTECH.com, a managed service provider serving Connecticut, New York, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. Go to VISTECH.com for information on Cloud Computing, Managed Services, Email Hosting, and Unified Communications/VOIP solutions.
VISTECH.com exclusively uses Microsoft Unified Communications for its infrastructure and offers hosting, colocated, and on-site unified communications solutions.
Information Technology services are essential to the success of every organization, large or small. With increasingly competitive business environments, CEOs and small business owners are under great pressure to maintain a highly qualified staff and to make sure their technology is obtaining a better ROI than their competitors'.
These goals are not easily achieved, particularly for young or small businesses with less financial resources and time available. Having your own successful information technology department can eat up too much of the company's budget and time resources, and eventually cause a loss of its competitive edge. These disadvantages of maintaining an in-house IT department are why companies of all sizes have turned to using managed service providers to either assist their existing IT department or become their virtual IT department, handling all of the technology involved in keeping their businesses running at optimal levels.
The benefits of using a managed services solution are numerous, but the top 5 benefits of managed services for business include:
1.Benefit from the expertise of a specialist, without having to spend time and financial resources training your staff to become experts.
2.Decrease your technology risks. Your company doesn't have to worry about losing and trying to replace trained staff members, or about repairing, implementing or replacing complex technology solutions.
3.Enjoy access to the most up-to-date, sophisticated technology solutions without having to invest in expensive equipment.
4.Experience ultimate control over your business technology without having to manage an information technology department. This gives you the time you need to focus on what you do best: your business functions.
5.Reduce stress and improve efficiency of your staff. When you make good use of managed service resources, your staff isn't tied up with IT concerns and they have more time to focus on tasks that are productive for the business.
Content by Managed Services Provider University
Rick Huebner is President & CEO of VISTECH.com, a managed service provider serving Connecticut, New York, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. Go to VISTECH.com for information on Cloud Computing, Managed Services, Email Hosting, and Unified Communications/VOIP solutions.
VISTECH.com exclusively uses Microsoft Unified Communications for its infrastructure and offers hosting, colocated, and on-site unified communications solutions.
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