The Biggest Mistakes Companies Make when Migrating to the Cloud

While cloud computing is highly efficient in itself, businesses fail to use half of this potential. This happens because businesses men are not ideally technicians who can decode the functioning of this seemingly simple technology. It is a specialized field best left in the hands of experts.

Like most businessmen, are you all set to move your enterprise to the cloud? Well, this may be a great decision in several ways. This virtual world has a lot in store for businesses, including optimal safety of your data and information, greater scalability, increased productivity, and cost savings!

However, moving ahead without proper directions or in haste won’t benefit your business much. You should either take cloud computing services from a reputed professional or keep certain things in mind before getting on to the cloud.

Make sure you don’t make the following mistakes when migrating:

1. Inadequate Research and Planning

Taking your business onto the cloud is going to be a big leap ahead. You are, after all, going to get a chance to cut expenses on hardware equipment, storage and its maintenance. To make it happen smoothly, however, it is important that you’ve done sufficient research and made a foolproof strategy beforehand!

Most companies don’t plan well when they have time and face lots of problems later on. For example, what will you do to survive if the cloud provider fails? Do you have a backup plan to retrieve your business data and information? It is always a better choice to be prepared instead of assuming that all cloud providers have policies in place in the event of a disaster!

Tip: since data security is the biggest concern at the time of your migration to the cloud, consider asking your provider whether they can ensure the safety of your infrastructure or not.

2. Choice of the Inappropriate Cloud Model/Package

How do you know you are not paying more than necessary for cloud computing services? Most companies don’t have a fair idea of how the cloud works and end up using an inappropriate cloud model. The worse, they still expect to get as good results as those who have spent lots of time to choose the right cloud providers are getting!

Remember, your choice of a cloud provider will always depend upon your unique business requirements, the level of flexibility you need, what kind of problems you are facing, and, of course, your budget.

Tip: Keep both short and long-term benefits of professional cloud services and you’ll automatically find the right provider.

3. No or Insufficient Compliance with Privacy Laws

Every company is subject to law and regulations that are associated with the privacy or safety of its clients, regardless of which industry it belongs to. That implies there must be certain limitations regarding what kind of cloud model you can use, what type of data you can store on it, and who can access this information and who not. Ignorance towards or inability to abide by such laws and privacy terms often causes companies huge losses, especially in terms of breeched contracts and fines.

Tip: Learn what kind of data you are going to store in the cloud and how much of it. Spend some time about laws and terms that may apply.

4. Inefficient Use of Bandwidth 

Frequency and speed are probably the biggest benefits when it comes to moving to the cloud. If you are an aware user, you can make the most of features like data compression and reduplication in order to make enormous savings. Used efficiently, these features can help achieve more bandwidth over time, leading to optimal uptime and productivity.

Companies often take all this lightly or are unable to develop their know-how of it, and end up being at loss. Contrary to that, smarter businesses are able to save on cloud bandwidth and get the benefits of hybrid cloud computing in the long run. This allows them to keep their replicated data with them all the times, making it possible to access it when required.

Tip: Since the cloud is about more flexibility and efficiency, make sure you are able to use available bandwidth as efficiently as possible.

5 Technologies that Will Soon be Inside You

Man or machine? Soon enough, there will be little distinguishing between the two as machines are set to enter human bodies. This post lists out 5 such technologies.

Some of the technologies that may become part of the human body are no more in conceptual phase. They are being tested as we speak and may soon be launched as viable products. Here’s a selection of 5 such technologies:

1. Smartphones That Can Be Implanted

Despite the fact that we are always connected to our phones by way of touch 24x7, there is still the possibility that we may be connected further.

Imagine having that smartphone inside you. Anthony Antonellis, an artist experimented by installing a RFID chip into his arm to redirect ideas about art directly to the chip. What about the screen? Well, scientists are working on an artificial skin pad that could be used as display or your eye transplants.

2. Chips That Cure

There are already chips and micro-chips in place that are connected directly to monitory apps and smartphones. Scientists are working on swallowable microchips which will act like a pseudo-pancreas; these tiny chips will act as a heart rate monitor or a device for monitoring sugar levels, blood pressure, toxins and pretty much anything you can think of.

3. Birth Control on a Chip

None other than Bill Gates is behind this project. The Gates Foundation has been pushing for this MIT project where a small implantable microchip is controlled by a remote control and it generates contraceptive hormones at the push of a button.

4. Brain-Computer Interface

We have heard and talked about this for years now. But, a team at the Brown University is making significant headway in the process. By installing miniscule electrodes in the brain, the team has verified that neuro-signals can be decoded by the computer in real-time. Intel has predicted that the Brain-Computer interface will come into existence by 2020. Imagine being able to traverse the Internet with the power of your thought alone. Sounds crazy, right?

5. The ID Chips

For good or bad, scientists say the embedded ID chips are inevitable. On the one hand, where they improve crime-fighting, investigative assistance, medical monitoring etc., there is the flipside where the ID’s become a tool for the controllers to govern, as George Orwell presented in his epic creation 1984.

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Compiled by Motionwave Technologies Pty Ltd.

What SMBs Really Want From the Cloud?

SMBs from virtually all industries have either moved to the cloud or are preparing to shift. What exactly is driving them to act? Read on to find out!

SMBs worldwide are fast moving to the cloud, motivating a few those who are not able to decide. And since its benefits are numerous, Internet service providers and IT companies have designed special packages for small businesses. 

SMB’s in turn have special cloud requirements. What are these requirements, let’s find out in the following:

SMBs and the Cloud

Actually, cloud computing has a lot to do with how small businesses can survive and eventually thrive in today’s highly competitive corporate scene.

Once on the cloud, small businesses:

• Need not spend substantial amounts on running servers or hire in-house IT staff.
• They can save lots of money that would have been spent on physically visiting IT technicians.
• They get remote access to crucial business data and cost-effective disaster recovery services.
• They can free themselves from the responsibility of purchasing, installing and maintaining hardware and software on their own.  

It is About Versatility and Confidence

There is much more to SMBs falling for the cloud than cost savings and handiness. Practically, the cloud allows you to ask for and attain more than what’s designed for your type of small business. With the cloud, you can use CRM without having to take costly subscription plans. You can even use Lync to route calls from Skype within negligible costs and without having to get extra tools.

Self-Service is not a Bad Idea

The “self service” part of cloud is good for your small business, especially as long as you are not interested or don’t have to get into the details of the services you are using. This keeps you and your associates limited to using only those files, apps or documents that are required. This makes the entire business process more accurate and safer. After all, you would never want a user’s control panel to be littered with any unwanted information. 

Smart Ways to Improve Your Cloud Strategy

When moving to the cloud, make sure you have a foolproof strategy. Read on for tips that can help you develop one!

Are you planning to move your business to the cloud?

Although this may help your business in several ways, it is more important that you have a practical cloud strategy in place. If you already have one, you can take disaster recovery services to improve it.

Here are ways to strengthen you cloud strategy:

1. Align Your Business and IT

It is important that your business strategy incorporates cloud computing also. Here, you should keep in mind that your cloud computing strategy is not solely for the IT department. Involve your entire organization in order to generate more creativity and innovation. 

2. Know What to Move and What Not

No organization can move everything to the cloud. So, find out how much of your unique business can be shifted.

It won’t make sense to renew a contract if you have an obsolete package that is complicated and expensive to maintain. Carrying the same contracts forward might prove to be highly negative for your business.

3. Customize the Cloud for Your Unique Requirements

Your ultimate goal should be achieving improved safety, high availability of data and information and maximum uptime. Review your disaster recovery services and policies from the standpoint of ensuring optimal data integrity and cost-effectiveness. Make sure you give equal importance to data security and backup.

4. Re-Scrutinize Your Business Process

You should make the most of every opportunity offered by the cloud. Revise and update your business process regularly. For example, when you move to Google Apps, don’t keep sticking to your old, outdated processes with Google. Your purpose is to collaborate crucial documents rather than move them back and forth. 

Questions to Ask When Selecting a Cloud Service Provider

With an ever-increasing number of cloud service providers, choosing the right one has become a tough job. When in dilemma, consider asking the following questions to make an informed decision!

Shifting your enterprise to the cloud has lots of benefits, but it is important that you are able to find the right cloud service provider. After all, you need a professional who can handle everything from safety and maintenance to support and backup!

Ask the following questions to choose the right cloud computing company:

1. What’s the Range of Services that You Cover? 

Taking professional cloud computing services is important, but the real name of the game is to know your business requirements. Once you know what you want, you’ll be able to ask your selected company completely relevant questions. For example, if your type of business requires more than data storage, ask if they can provide the same.

2. What’s Your Costs Structure Like?

It is important that you pay only for what you are using. Make sure there are no heavy upfront costs, for a reputed cloud provider will never have then as a norm. Ask your provider to provide you with a detailed estimate of fees and all other charges well beforehand. Also, ask whether they charge monthly or annually or hourly.

3. What Will Be Offered in Terms of Security?

Ask what they will do to ensure complete safety of your stored data and how. Ask what safety measures they have in place and if they are updated regularly or not. For example, make sure your provider follows all data security and privacy standards.

4. What Happens If Data Is Lost?

Try to find out what your provider will do in case they lose or delete your important data. Ask what provisions they have in their SLA agreement that is meant to address data loss.  

Most Common Myths about Hybrid Cloud

Although the hybrid cloud may boost your business up, make sure you adopt it with your eyes wide open. Read on for common hybrid cloud myths busted!

While it is true that taking your business into the hybrid cloud is a great option, you can’t expect to make the most of it unless you are fully aware of what it is and how it works. In case if you are misinformed about the hybrid cloud, nothing other than real-world facts can help you out.

Here are some common hybrid cloud myths and practical facts to disapprove them:

1. Hybrid Cloud is an Appendix of Converged Infrastructure

This assumption is almost completely baseless because it overlooks automation, an unavoidable element of cloud deployment. Plus there is a lot of difference between infrastructure and cloud management!

Practically, a business can get most benefits of the cloud only by minimizing the management burden.

Hybrid cloud allows you to create a runbook of the entire process of burden reduction and respond with synopsis of policy enforcement tools and capacity planning.

2. Hybrid Cloud is for Enterprises 

In reality, it is a very flexible tool that anyone can use. It can even be run by small business units or individuals looking for agility, especially it is an SLA-indifferent model.

3. A Hybrid Cloud can be Created Using a Specific Homogeneous Standard

Technically, there is no specific environment for the creation of hybrid cloud. Different resources such as Azure, VMware and AWS use different formats, bandwidth and management tools.

4. Hybrid Cloud Doesn't Affect Operations

When it comes to having a simple and stable system that can boost production, private cloud is the best option. Likewise, public cloud is the best for complex and transient operations. The efficiency and impact of a hybrid cloud depends upon how you merge the two cloud types and execute them.  

Ensuring Maximum Security in Cloud, Big Data and Mobile

Today when the risk of cyber attacks and other disasters is higher than ever, Cloud computing is a boon for businesses. Read on to know why digital security is critical and how you can ensure it using the cloud, big data and mobile!  

One common concern that comes along with technological advancements is security!

It is true that digital security can make or break organizations in this age of cloud computing. So, it is important that you have a foolproof plan to proceed ahead as a business!

Here is how you can make the most of innovations such as big data, the cloud and mobile for maximum security:

Grab Cloud and Mobile Computing

All aware businessmen today have learnt or are learning to use different handy options available with the cloud and mobile for improved security. They can help you create opportunities to have a built-in security system for your unique business right from the beginning.

Using crowd-sourced threat intelligence to stay ahead of potential disasters and cyber attacks is the best example.

Make the Most of Analytic to Grow Smarter at Defense

No matter how much time and money you invest, there will always be security holes, small or big. However, it can be of great help to protect your confidential data by regularly keeping an eye on who’s accessing it and from where. Gather your team members, make coordinated plans, and respond to any attacks employing the right tools.

Expand with an Integrated Approach

You would never want to be an organization having a lethargic approach to security. Learn to cultivate a disciplined culture of watchfulness within your company. Ask for help from outside experts if the need be. More importantly, keep assessing your efficiency vs. industry standards! 

Practical Tips on Keeping Business Data Safe in the Cloud

Practically, you can never be sure that the business data stored in a cloud is completely safe. However, if you protect the data through privacy protection, such risk gets eliminated to a significant extent.        

Although, cloud computing solutions are designed to protect and store your important data efficiently, chances of unexpected errors are always there.

As a precautionary measure, follow these tips below and recognize safety standards before keeping business data safe in cloud.    

Maintain Proper Security  

Before storing all important information about your business in the cloud, ensure that the network IT Support provides maintains appropriate security standards. Research well and identify the reputation and policies of the company.

Store Only Vital Data

Most cloud companies charge according the size of data you store. Therefore, make sure that you save only a realistic amount of important data that reduces the size and proceeding price with it.

Encrypting Data on Cloud

When uploading or downloading your business data through cloud, make sure that the browser requires encrypted connection.

The data, which goes on cloud without encrypting can be accessed by someone with higher level of accessibility. That’s why sensitive personal information should never be stored on the cloud.

Understanding Access with Cloud Folder

With cloud, you can share files and data with other users. But, you should know how the whole thing works.

Understand whether other users can only read or even change your data.

What If You Lose Stored Data?

What do you do if data is lost mistakenly or your account in hacked? Before this happens, understand the terms and conditions of the cloud contract. Sign with a service provider who assures safety. 

Small Business Wireless Network Setup Mistakes to Avoid

Wireless networks constitute as an important element for small business. It helps in effective establishing of networks globally and also supports the business with reduced operating costs.

Setting up wireless networks for small business isn't as easy as most entrepreneurs believe.

In order to establish a fast, reliable and accessible wireless, it’s important that one avoids the following mistakes. Here’s what IT Support companies suggest:

Never Overload the Wireless Router

With growing business and addition of new systems or appliances, businesses tend to overload the wireless router without realizing the consequences.                   

Every wireless router has specific running and works effectively well under restricted procedures. But if, a single router lugs with overloads of heavy usage it is bound to experience slowness.

As an alternative, setup a standalone network or try offloading heavy access points to reduce the network burden.

Don’t Just Dependent on One Access Point

Even when the work load is mounting, small businesses usually rely on just one access point. With different wireless gadgets at your workplace, chances that an access point will show sluggishness is inevitable.

Therefore, try installing several access points so that the productivity of your business doesn’t go reducing with restricted access.

Proper placement of Wi-Fi’s access point   

Locating a Wi-Fi device at a manageable position is critically important. Don’t locate the device where it gets blocked by too many physical obstructions like walls or furniture.

Locate the device in an open space, from where every user has a direct access to it.

Don’t Expect Promised Data Speed

Don’t expect your router to show unmatched data speed as shown on its pack. However, in practical usage, a router will just inherit about 60-70% to what the device promises.       

Remote Help Desk Support – Key Benefits

Seeking IT solutions through remote help desk ensures effective and secure support for the business. The support helps in solving critical IT issues without you waiting for a technician to arrive. Technicians use software to access your systems remotely to repair problems to saves your time and money for quick and improved results.

Basically, Remote Help Desk Support acts as an online expert platform that helps in resolving IT issues with your businesses IT network more securely and quickly. 

Whether, you own a small or a big business, remote service support is beneficial for all and this is how:

Cuts Surplus Billable Amount

Most customer support technicians charge a big price for coming over to solve the smallest issues with your network. And if the visits are very frequent, this service fee amount can go up by leaps and bounds.

However, with remote desk support, these rates can be reduced significantly. Besides, you get the service done quickly as you save your valuable time and money.

Work Efficiently

Don’t you hate siting and spending hours while the loading or installation bar just crawls towards completion? However, with remote help desk support, you can easily find the cause of delay and fix it within minutes.

Your business will not lose any precious time because of defects in the network.

No Geographical Boundaries

Like servicemen, technicians also have restricted service areas. Even if they cross their limits, the service will cost you heavy amounts and you won’t get the service quick.

However, with remote help desk service, you can have best solution for your company accessible 24 hours a day. No technician has to come physically, but delivers his services sitting in his own office. 

How to Evaluate Cloud Computing Services

The need for evaluation of cloud computing services is being felt by all and sundry. After using them for so long, isn’t it high time that they were clubbed and evaluated in detail.

There can be two ways to approach this issue. Either each and every service can be evaluated as a standalone or all can be clubbed together as an aggregate. At the end of day one can either be a cloud opponent or a believer.

Find a few tips to help make the evaluation process simpler –

1. Mobile Computing

The whole world is gong mobile and people who still choose to ignore mobile computing can only be termed as retards. During the evaluation, a provider that has an App and offers solutions through cloud is way ahead of someone who doesn’t.

2. Offering Real Time Solutions

The world has shifted to instant gratification. We don’t need to wait for the newspaper, for the news keeps popping via notifications in our devices. In the same way a cloud computing service should offer a business instant access to updated data in order to make snap decisions, even while on the move.

3. No Specification Of Hardware

We are discussing cloud computing service for a global platform here. There are certain services that brag about catering only to Apple users. A reliable cloud computing service should be able to cater to all data systems and all kinds of hardware. The evaluation criterion is not just that it works for all, but that it allows a user friendly interface too.

4. Expansion and Scalability

A good cloud service should be able to offer the same quality and superior service irrespective of the size of the business. They should also have scope for growth and be flexible enough to accommodate any expansion. 

Interesting Facts about Cloud Computing

Cloud computing has become the buzz word in the last decade. It has loads of advantages but a few limitations too.

Cloud technology has huge benefits and potential. In the near future we can expect all companies to shift to it in order to cut costs and secure their data.

We have collected some interesting facts about cloud computing and they should be an eye opener for some –

1. Cloud computing and software as a service are two different things, although they can be used interchangeably.
2. The first company to embrace the cloud network was Amazon Elastic Compute
3. The infrastructure in the form of a service is actually the provision of hardware that is virtually hosting and telecommunicating.
4. The service as a platform is the provision for development of a specific tool kit in the virtual sense. On the basis of this service other applications can be built.
5. The software when termed as a service has provision to host hardware for telecommunications. And it does not necessarily need to be virtualized.
6. Tim Berners Lee is credited with the development of World Wide Web in early 90’s.
7. The idea and concept of cloud computing was conceived in the 60’s, but was more accepted when internet became popular.
8. Almost 70% businesses are either using an older version of cloud computing or looking for an updated one.
9. 90% of Microsoft’s budget is spent on making new computing strategies and products related to it.
10. Almost 80% companies have shown tremendous growth in just six months of switching to cloud.
11. In the US alone 2% of the total electricity consumption is by data centers.
12. On inspecting the speed by which companies are shifting to cloud computing, almost 45 new plans of coal will be required to power data centers, by 2015.
13. For every 600 smart phones or 120 tablets a new server is added for cloud computing. 

Hybrid Cloud—Why Choose It?

Hybrid clouds are similar to private clouds which work exclusively for a company and offer greater security than a public cloud.

Companies that have understood the exact benefits of cloud computing are using a strategic combination of public and private clouds to store their data. Companies worldwide are storing their sensitive data on hybrid clouds and shielding it with security measures.

Let’s look at the advantages of hybrid computing –

1. Can Be Custom Designed

Since hybrid clouds are designed for a specific company, their design can be developed to meet the specific needs of the company. Standard processes can be put in place that create harmony between different types of clouds.

2. Save the Server Cost

Hybrid clouds are perfect for heavy projects, those that an in house server may not be able to handle. Since the heavy data is uploaded on a hybrid cloud, the company saves the money it would have spent on investing in hardware like servers.

3. Easy Access from Anywhere

Hybrid clouds can be operated upon from any location and at any time. This enables the businesses to reach out to customers globally, without any restrictions. It is also convenient in case there is an outage in a particular region.

4. Cheaper Than a Hosting Provider That Is Managed Externally

When the cost of set up of a hybrid cloud is compared with that of an outsourced managed hosting service, it will be seen that the former is much cheaper in comparison.

5.  Very Little Scope for Errors

Worldwide companies are shifting to hybrid clouds in order to tap their potential and acquire maximum gains. The most impressive feature of a hybrid cloud is the fact that there is very little scope for errors and unmatched efficiency.

Benefits of Business IT Consulting That You Just Cannot Ignore

IT systems have become the need of the hour to ensure consistent growth and success for businesses.

To maintain an in-house IT team is not such a sound investment anymore. In today’s economic crisis it makes more sense to outsource the IT requirements of a business. A professional IT services company has more experience, expertise and resources to solve problems and maintain systems.

Lets us read more about the benefits of hiring business it consulting company for your business -

1. Complete Focus On The Core Business

When the network IT support is outsourced, it allows the management to focus on the growth and profit targets of the company. They are not distracted by the IT issues and can concentrate on their core competencies. The time that is spent on fixing IT related problems can be spent elsewhere.

2. Increase the Scale of Economies and The Purchasing Power Of The Company

IT companies offering business IT consulting services have a broader knowledge base and access to a vast number of information resources. They are able to deliver better, updated and cost effective solutions to IT problems. That in turn increases the efficiency of a company and saves time and money.

3. The Operations Costs Is Reduced

The cost of outsourcing IT always proves to be lower than maintaining a separate department in the company. Additionally issues like training, recruiting of IT employees, and all other management related issues are handled by the IT Company themselves. An IT company will get into a fixed contract with the business.

4. Access to the Most Professional Experts

When a company has an in-house IT department their resources for solving a problem are limited to the in-house team.  When the IT services are outsourced, companies can demand the services of an expert in order to solve a problem effectively.

5 Questions for Selecting an It Service Provider

Selection of the right MSP will ensure a smooth and fruitful association with the provider for many years.

Most companies today are of the opinion that outsourcing IT is a better option than keeping it in house. Choosing the right MSP or Managed Services Provider is most critical in order to take advantage of all its benefits.  Ask your MSP the following five questions –

1. What are the Core Competencies of the MSP?

An MSP that deals primarily in IT support services will be a better choice than one that treats IT services as a secondary role. Take references of current clients and get an overview of the services.

2. Is The MSP Technologically Sound?

IT services are evolving all the time; a good MSP will keep itself updated about the latest developments in technology and information. While selecting an MSP ensure that they will be able to implement the technology specific to your company. A reputed MSP will always keep its team and technologies updated in order to provide the best services to its clients.

3. Will The MSP Be Able To Offer Process Specific Support?

A good MSP should be able to support a company at various levels, namely processes, procedure, tasks and people too. At all times they should have KPI availability for the client. The MSP should ideally be able to support the client 24/7 and have a dedicated team in place.

4. Does The MSP Fit With The Culture Of Your Company?

This may not seem important at the first glance, but it is essential that the MSP becomes an integral part of all your processes. If the work culture of the MSP and the client is similar, it will lead to mutual benefits to both parties. A common understanding between people on both the ends is a must.

5. Will The MSP Be Able To Understand The Growth Objective Of The Client?

The success of any company depends largely on its IT services in today’s date. The growth targets and goals of the company should be shared with the MSP. They should have a clear idea of where the company is headed and their role in that success graph. Always select an MSP that has compete clarity on their role and the IT needs of the company.

A Practical Guide to Cloud Computing Services

Cloud computing comes with its advantages and risks. Companies are strongly advised to study both before taking the plunge.

Cloud computing has made investments in data centers, and other hardware a thing of the past. Cloud computing can be broadly classified into two categories, a public cloud or a private cloud. The former is one that has no restrictions of demographics and limitation of storage space. A private cloud has demographic restrictions, but is much more reliable and secure.

Have at look at Cloud Computing services in detail –

1. The user must read the terms and conditions carefully before signing the Service agreement form the IT support company.

2. The CCS provider is liable to perform all the diligence and provide the best network it support, especially if it is in alliances with third parties.

3. In order for the cloud computing services to work smoothly, the company or user must get into an agreement for the Data Processor.

4. Have some knowledge of the data protection obligations in order to get a commitment from a business IT supports company.

5. Insist on keeping your data segregated form data of other companies. Ensure that there are terms and conditions governing this condition in the agreement.

6. Please have clarity on whether the data will be stored indefinitely or completely eradicated once the term of service ends.

7. Choose a CCS provider that has a system in place for regular screening for security and best practices.

8. A CCS provider will offer each client a vulnerability test or scan to prove their credibility.

Is the Future for Businesses in Hybrid Cloud?

The cloud is today an integral part of virtually every enterprise, small or big. Moving forward, since business requirements of organizations will evolve to the next level, it is but natural to ponder on the shape that the future cloud will acquire.

Most probably, it will take a hybrid form to efficiently meet ever-increasing requirements of different industries. Hybrid model, after all, has the best of both worlds!

Why the Hybrid Cloud Model?

One of the biggest problems with the current cloud model in use is insecurity; not all businesses can rely on public clouds for safety reasons and most companies can’t afford completely private storage solutions!

Practically, the only solution to this dilemma can be a hybrid cloud model. It can protect company networks and also reduce workload. Should anything go wrong with one part of the network, a hybrid cloud can still continue to deliver.

Here is what we can expect the future hybrid cloud model to have in store in terms of advantages:

More Flexibility & Performance: 

Today, while everyone wants to deploy economical cloud solutions, most industries have to employ expensive private cloud providers in order to abide by government
regulations. The financial sector is the best example. The worse, they can’t be sure of complete customer safety even after spending too much on professional cloud storage services.

When working together, private and public clouds involve either high deployment costs or safety risks; combining them solves both of the problems. Here, we need to engage with expert cloud providers who can build a flawless hybrid cloud model.

An Eco-Friendly Approach:

Given the high level of competition in the cloud market, cloud companies will need to market themselves as ‘green’ or ‘eco-friendly’ to get a competitive edge over other providers in future. And none other than a hybrid cloud model can help a professional cloud company to establish its commitment to the ongoing green revolution. A hybrid cloud model uses lesser resources compared to the traditional ones.

Author Bio: 
A Singapore based IT consultant company APIXEL IT Services, has been operational for over 8 years from now. Apixel provides fixed price IT support services with unlimited packages that includes small business server setup, cloud solution configuration, network management and data security & theft prevention. The company also provides expert IT consultancy to SMEs in Singapore.

Increase in Cloud Service Usage Results

What You Should know about E-Signature Security in the Cloud

Compared to the Internet and other such technologies, cloud computing is yet to acquire a fully mature form but yes, it has indeed got some stringent data security protocols in place now. Cloud solutions are way more secure than they were until few years ago.

Find Out What Standards Are Being Followed?

E-signature security mechanism is one of the core elements of most security protocols that are enforced to keep the data (in transit as well as at rest) safe from unauthorized access or theft.

Just about any credible cloud computing company in Singapore or elsewhere will inform you that your e-signature service host must comply with the requirements of popular and established standards such as SOC2 (Service Organization Controls).

If you are choosing a cloud company that’s SOC2 compliant, you need worry a great deal about security as the company is almost certainly taking the required steps to ensure maximum data protection.  

Is the Service Provider Working With a Credible Cloud Company?

E-signature service providers either work with third party cloud companies (for IT infrastructure requirements) or have their own, in-house servers.

Small or mid sized companies that tie up with reputed companies for cloud infrastructure should be preferred over the ones relying on in-house servers.

Also, keep in mind that the e-signature service provider should have a proven mechanism in place for identification, authentication and attribution. At each and every signature location, the host should make use of digital signature technology to ensure maximum protection. Needless to mention, the host should be able to gather evidences along the entire audit trail for future reference. 

Author Bio: 
A Singapore based IT consultancy company, APIXEL IT Services, has been operational for over 8 years from now. Apixel provides fixed price IT support services with unlimited packages that includes small business server setup, cloud solution configuration, network management and data security & theft prevention. The company also provides expert IT consultancy to SMEs in Singapore.