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Effective Cloud Strategies for Small Businesses

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As small and midsize businesses (SMBs), most of us have cloud strategies centered around productivity suites for email, calendars, chat, and file services. Beyond Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace, we need cloud strategies for small businesses that differ from those used by larger organizations.  Although our goals and objectives may be similar, we differ in the scope of our IT services, how we acquire and use IT services, and our budgets.

Understanding these differences, we need appropriate strategies to guide our plans and decisions. We need to focus on getting the most value from our current systems and new, managed cloud services.

What is a Cloud Strategy?

Cloud strategy refers to a comprehensive plan and approach that an organization adopts to leverage cloud computing technology effectively. It involves determining how to utilize cloud services, platforms, and infrastructure to achieve specific business objectives, optimize operations, enhance agility, and drive innovation.

A typical cloud strategy includes several key components:

  1. Cloud Adoption
  2. Cloud Service Models
  3. Cloud Provider Selection
  4. Data Management and Security
  5. Cost Optimization
  6. Integration and Interoperability
  7. Governance and Compliance
  8. Training and Skills Development
  9. Performance Monitoring and Optimization

Evolving Business Strategy into the Cloud

Historically, we ran our applications and databases on local workstations, servers, and networks. Evolving markets, business models, and hybrid work patterns drive change. The on-premise architecture no longer meets our needs. Remote access to on-premise systems is cumbersome, more difficult to secure, and likely to be slower. 

From a cost perspective, most of us have outgrown the on-premise model as well. Servers, storage, and related infrastructure represent significant capital expenditures and fixed configurations. Infrastructure and services add hardware, software, and service costs. If you have a managed service provider, or MSP, you pay monthly per-server monitoring and management fees.

Our Big Cloud Challenge

Most cloud services are designed for larger entities that will rebuild systems, applications, and databases to use specific cloud services. As small businesses, we use the cloud differently. We rely on software packages rather than custom-built applications or highly customized systems.

Moving our applications and systems into the cloud is challenging for a few key reasons:

  • Our software vendor may not offer a SaaS version
  • The SaaS version of our software may be missing key features we need, or does not support our customizations
  • Integrations may not be available for the applications and systems we use and need.

Cloud Strategies

If we want to take advantage of the benefits of the cloud, we need better strategic services for the cloud.

Selective Cloud Services

We define selective cloud services as point solutions for a specific need, often in support of other cloud or on-premise services. You can leverage cloud solutions to meet specific business and IT service needs.

Server to Service

Simply stated, the Server to Service strategy replaces your servers – on-premise or hosted – with managed cloud services.  Replacing your file servers with managed cloud file services is the best example of the Server to Service strategy. File servers come with the added burdens of backup/restore services, hardware maintenance and upgrades, and with most managed service contracts, per-device fees for monitoring and management.

Lift and Shift

As noted above, many small business software packages lack a cloud version comparable with the traditional version. In these situations, you can still move into the cloud using the “Lift and Shift” strategy. With “Lift and Shift”, you move your applications and systems from their existing on-premise servers (physical or virtual), to cloud-based servers. You access the applications over a secure VPN or using remote desktop services.

Remote Desktop / VDI

As the name ‘remote desktop’ implies, your actual desktop is running remotely in a cloud environment. You access your desktop via a thin client application running locally on your PC, Laptop, or mobile device, or through a web browser. Using Remote Desktop / Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) services gives you a complete, secure environment in which you have your private network, servers, and clients. Using Remote Desktop / VDI enhances Lift and Shift solutions.

Final Thoughts on Cloud Strategy for a Small Business

These cloud strategies are NOT mutually exclusive.  With proper analysis and planning, you can match the services to your business and technology needs. More information is available in our eBook, Cloud Strategies for Small and Midsize Businesses.

Call To Action

Contact us or schedule time with one of our Cloud Advisors to discuss if, when, and how expanding your cloud services will help your business thrive and grow.

About the Author

Chris CaldwellChristopher Caldwell is the COO and a co-founder of Cumulus Global.  Chris is a successful Information Services executive with 40 years experience in information services operations, application development, management, and leadership. His expertise includes corporate information technology and service management; program and project management; strategic and project-specific business requirements analysis; system requirements analysis and specification; system, application, and database design; software engineering and development, data center management, network and systems administration, network and system security, and end-user technical support.

XChange of Ideas – Trends with Benefits

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XChange Events

This XChange of Ideas shares trends that can boost your business’ productivity.

We recently spent three packed days at the XChange 2022 Conference. While we attend to improve our service offerings and business, many of the insights will benefit your business as well.

1 Industry Consolidation Awareness 

As with most maturing, dynamic industries, consolidation of vendors is not unusual in technology. Bringing together complimentary technologies and solutions can create synergy and economies of scale.  Currently, we are seeing something a bit different.  Companies that provide the systems we use to run our business are acquiring products and services that we offer to our customers.  By offering solutions we sell, and the solutions we use, our vendors are hoping to provide us with better integration and efficiencies.

The risk, however, is that service providers will focus, or limit, their options to match the “single vendor” efficiency. While you, as the customer, may benefit from the efficiency, these benefits will be fleeting if the solutions do not meet your needs.

We, at Cumulus Global, will continue to offer multiple solutions for nearly all of the services we offer. We commit to this strategy because efficient mediocrity serves nobody well.

2 VDI is Better than O.K.

Acceptance and use of virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) and remote desktop services is on the rise. Beyond an interim solution, VDI services prove to offer many businesses long term value. We see several reasons for considering a move to VDI, including:

  • Support for hybrid work environments. With employees working in office and remote, a VDI environment provides a single computing environment for your entire business.  Accessing files and applications is the same, regardless of location and end user device.
  • Strategic Savings. VDI services extend the useful life of your existing laptops and desktops.  Since VDI clients are not processing data locally, the demand on processors, memory, and disk space are minimal.  Aging equipment can remain in service without impacting performance.
  • Improved Security.  VDI services run in secure, professionally run data centers. We use Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud Platform for VDI services. VDI provides private, secure networks, with multiple access options to meet your business needs.
  • Business Continuity and Resiliency. The faster you can recover from a disaster or technology failure, the better your business will survive and grow. VDI services remove most of the risks from local disasters and system failures.  As you can access your services from anywhere you are Internet-connected, and from most any end user device, teams can easily relocate and work around localized disruptions.

As disruption of technology supply chains continues, VDI allows you to upgrade your environment without investing in new desktop and laptop devices. You can move forward with your business without worrying about system availability.

To explore if VDI services can help your business, contact us about our security assessments, or schedule an intro call with one of our Cloud Advisors.

VDI Solutions: Uniting Performance, Scalability, and Cost-Efficiency

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VDI solutions diagramLike many organizations, your foray into cloud computing may have started with an ancillary or security service, like email spam and virus protection. For some, the first or second step into the cloud was moving email off-premise.  For others, a cloud-based CRM service or VDI solution was the first application in the cloud.

Currently, we see organizations rapidly moving file services and storage into cloud-based solutions as more marketing, sales, and line of business applications switch to Software-as-a-Service (“SaaS”) or SaaSOps solutions. Often, this leaves you with a small set of business applications running on-premise.

VDI Solutions Explained

What do you do with applications and services left on-premise when most of your systems have moved, or will be moving, to the cloud?

While you may wish to keep these legacy systems on-premise, you can move them into a cloud or hosted Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) environment. VDI environments provide a virtualized, remote desktop accessible via browser or “receiver” app.  When connected, users get their full desktop environment with access to local and network applications.

Some applications, such as computer-aided design (CAD) and manufacturing/process controls, are not well-suited for VDI. Most local and network applications work well within a VDI environment. VDI services typically charge based on processor load, memory, and allocated disk space. Fees may also include standard office software, data backup services, malware protection, and other common network services.

Why use VDI Solutions?

  • Improved secure accessibility to legacy applications, particularly for remote and mobile users
  • Lower cost for IT and cloud infrastructure, especially when email, apps, and other services are moving to the cloud
  • Improved reliability and security, as VDI solutions run in professionally managed data centers
  • IT resources are free to work on higher value projects than maintaining core infrastructure and services
  • Lower cost and less administration of end-user devices, as you can move to thin clients, chromebooks, and tablets as existing desktops and laptops need replacing

When to use a VDI Solution? 

For some small and mid-size enterprises, VDI solutions provide a means to “clean out the closet”, to simplify their IT solutions and walk away from endless maintenance and updates. For others, a VDI solution enables them to move legacy systems and applications to a cloud-based environment.

When considering a VDI service for legacy applications and systems, answering a few basic questions while help you determine if your “when” is “now”.

  • Is the application is available in a Software-as-a-Service (Saas) subscription?
  • Does the application have custom modules or code that would prevent running the SaaS version?
  • Are application requirements — processor power, memory, disk space — known and understood?
  • How many users need access to the application?
  • How many users receive reports or data from the application?
  • What connections or integrations exist between local/network applications?

With answers to these questions, you can scope the size and configuration of your VDI environment. You can also assess if the benefits, and the costs, of a VDI solution outweigh the costs and effort required to maintain the systems on-premise.

As you move applications and services to the cloud, you will likely reach a point where you no longer have the critical mass necessary for on-premise servers to be the most economical and effective solution. When you reach this tipping point, a VDI solution will provide a secure home for your systems, your business, and your budget.

A Post XP World? Think Before You Spend!

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Today is the day that Microsoft is no longer supporting Windows XP (unless you are a country or a multinational bank with ATM machines).

There is a lot of fear, uncertainty, and doubt about what businesses should do next, much of it originating with Microsoft.

First, you Windows XP systems will keep working.  As time moves forward, hackers will continue to find exploits in Windows XP, which Microsoft will no longer fix.  If you system is on-line, unprotected, your risk for malware and data breaches will increase over time. Realistically, with 12 years of market exposure, the “easy flaws” have been found.  Most recent security breaches is Windows XP are pretty esoteric or relate to current versions of Internet Explorer and activity in the browser.  So, no need to panic.

No need to panic.  Take time to choose how you move forward.

Option 1:  Upgrade Windows

Microsoft wants you to upgrade, to Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 (stay away from Windows 8, please!).  To do so, you will likely need to replace some, if not most, of your PCs and laptops.  You will also need to upgrade your endpoint protection and most of your applications.

Option 2:  Go Virtual

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) services, sometimes referred to as Desktop-as-a-Service (DaaS), provides a full Microsoft operating environment accessible via a small piece of software on your local machine, or via any HTML5 capable browser.  Once in your virtual desktop, you have the current OS and Office suite, along with other applications your business needs and uses.  Maintenance and upgrades are managed for you, and you can securely access your desktops from nearly any internet-connected device.  Once you decide to go virtual, you have options that let you manage the cost of change over time.

2a) Keep your XP for now.  You can keep your existing XP machines (for now), reconfiguring them as “thin clients”.  With the systems locked down to only run the VDI client or a browser, and a solid malware prevention / endpoint protection service in place, you can stretch the life of your current XP systems.  Since users do their work in the remote, Virtual Desktop, the XP platform is shielded from user interaction and malware.

2b) Go Linux.  Linux is now a business-grade operating system and serves well as the operating system for “thin clients”.  Since Linux requires much fewer system resources to run effectively, Linux gives new life to older PCs and Laptops.  As with an XP thin client, you are only using the OS and browser to access the Virtual Desktop.

2c) Go Chrome. Chromebooks cost 1/2 to 2/3 less than a typical laptop, and cost 1/6 as much to administer and manage over time.  With HTML5 receivers installed, Chromebooks can access nearly any VDI environment, including those using Citrix, VMware, and Ericom systems.  Additionally, you get direct access, with built-in malware protection to any web-based application, including Google Apps for Business, Government, and Education.  With a single Google Apps account, you have the option for full mobile device management, to further secure and control your environment.

While upgrading with Microsoft often seems like the best solution, it is fraught with upfront and ongoing costs and challenges.  Going virtual, while seemingly a more complex choice, lets you keep your current environment and replace your aging hardware over time, as you can afford to do so, with less expensive alternatives.

If you are interested in exploring your options further, please contact us for more information.

Is Your PC a Dead-End?

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While security updates for Windows XP will continue well into 2015, the end of support and non-security updates is less than 50 days away.  According to IDC, as reported by Reuters, shipments of PCs fell 9.85 is 2013 and are expected to drop another 6.1% this year.  As more knowledge workers rely on mobile devices, the need for, and desire for, traditional desktops and laptops is vanishing.

So what is your next move?

If you upgrade from XP, your choices are limited.  Windows 8.x has been soundly rejected as a productivity killer and support challenge by enterprises as well as small and mid-size businesses.  With the expected release of Windows 9 sometime in the next year, Windows to 7 is a dead end.

Even worse, moving off XP triggers a wave of related costs, as your hardware, endpoint protection, Office suite, client access licenses, backup software, etc. must all undergo upgrades at the same time (see our prior post on this topic here).

Maybe, the “same ole, same ole” just does not work anymore.   Maybe, it is time to explore new options.  Here is some food for thought.

Hosted VDI:  Hosted VDI, or virtual desktop infrastructure, environments provide you with your operating system, productivity apps, endpoint protection, disk space, and data protection — as a service.  Rather than capital expenditures, project fees, and on-going maintenance and support costs, hosted VDI services charge monthly fees for the resources you need/use and each user with an account.  Most hosted VDI services (including ours) let you install legacy and custom applications as well.  You get the environment you need without huge expenditures and version lock-in.

Cloud Back Office:  Google Apps is the best example of how businesses can provide back office IT services without building infrastructure.  Leveraging Google Apps as a platform, businesses gain email, communication, collaboration, and productivity services.  As important, Google Apps can provide robust and secure file services and cloud print services.  Beyond replacing your email server, Google Apps can replace file and print servers as well.

L.O.B. Cloud:  With greater cloud acceptance comes greater availability of cloud-based line of business (LOB) applications and systems.  From CRM and service applications to professional service automation (PSA) and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, many businesses can find the line of business applications they use in the cloud.  Moving to LOB Cloud solutions, eliminates the need for complex on-premise systems as well as significant operational expense.

New End Devices:  As reported by CNET, Meg Whitman, CEO of HP, says that Chromebooks “have surprised us.”  Here is why. When you move to the cloud, you can change your end-user devices. To access cloud services and hosted VDI, you need an Internet connection and a compatible browser.  Tablets, thin clients, and Chromebooks become viable, lower cost solutions that give users access to the applications and data they need, without the acquisition and operating costs of heavy hardware and the Microsoft ecosystem.

So what is your next move?

Do you follow your current vendors without question?  Or, is it time to look at the innovative options and new market leading solutions?

Do you continue to carry the full Microsoft burden? Or, do you move to nimble hardware and cloud/hosted solutions, renting only the Microsoft environment you actually need?

Leave a comment, below, or contact us to explore your options.

As XP Retires, Should You Go Virtual?

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Next April, Microsoft ends support for Windows XP.  While your applications will continue to run, for now, XP will not longer receive security updates.  XP will no longer support all future updates to your applications, which can render applications inoperable.

The logical next step seems to be upgrade, but at what price?

Bringing a Windows XP environment up to Windows 8 (or even Windows 7) has a cascade effect that easily becomes an expensive proposition, especially if you do not have free upgrades available for applications and utilities as part of support contracts or subscriptions.

Most computers running Windows XP cannot support the increased demands of Windows 7 or 8.  With slower processors and less memory, expect that you will need to replace some, if not all, of your desktops and laptops.

Moving to Windows 7 or 8 means moving to a 64-bit operating system.  If you have not done so yet, you will need to pay to upgrade your Client Access Licenses, or CALs, to 64-bit versions.  This holds not just for Windows Server CALs, but Exchange and SQL Server CALs as well.  This can add over $100 per machine to the cost of changing.

You will need to upgrade backup, virus protection, and other utilities to versions compatible with the new operating system.  Unless you are protected by an support/maintenance agreement with upgrade rights, expect to spend anywhere from about thirty up to a few hundred dollars per machine.

Many of your existing applications will not run on Windows 7 or Windows 8, or are not supported by the vendor on those versions.  Again, upgrading applications can be costly and may require updating data formats as well.

While, replacing Windows XP can easily become an expensive, capital-intensive, project, you do have alternatives.

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure, known as VDI, solutions let you move into a current platform — and stay current — without the heavy upfront investment.  The basic VDI environment provides a full Windows desktop experience.  And, while you will still need to upgrade your business applications, most VDI environments include the most recent version of MS Office, virus protection, and backup/recovery services.

Additionally, because your computing is in the cloud, your existing computers serve as terminals, or thin clients.   You can extend the life of these systems without adding security risks.  And, when you replace them, you can go forward with lower cost, think client solutions for the desktop and mobile users.    Your VDI environment also works from smartphones and tablets, improving access while enhancing security.

As for budget, VDI services are operating expenses, not capital expenditures.  Check with your CFO or accountant, as this is often preferred.

Want to learn more?  Contact us for a free evaluation.

 

 

 

 

 

Cloud Guru Joins Cumulus Global in New York Expansion

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profilepicNew York, NY, July 11, 2013 – Cumulus Global today announced that David Watts is joining Cumulus Global as a Senior Cloud Consultant, leading Cumulus Global’s expansion into the Metro New York area. Watts brings a consultative approach to matching businesses, non-profits, local governments, and schools with the right cloud solutions. The addition of Watts to the Cumulus Global team coincides with the opening of a new office in Manhattan.

“As one of the largest Google Apps partners in New England, expansion into the New York area is a logical step for us,” stated Allen Falcon, CEO of Cumulus Global. “David’s expertise and our local office in New York helps us meet the cloud solution needs of small and mid-size businesses (SMBs) in the New York City area.”

Watts comes to Cumulus Global from White Stratus, a Google Enterprise Partner, and Cloud Guru, a Google Apps SMB partner Watts co-founded. Watts is a Google Apps Certified Sales Professional, a member of Agile Equity’s Cloud Computing Advisory Board, and has led many Google Apps for Business deployments. His experience helps companies better understand the process and results as he consults with clients to create comprehensive cloud solutions.

“Cloud for cloud’s sake is not the answer”, noted Falcon. “David expands our ability to leverage Google Apps and Drive as core components of broader solutions designed to meet business goals and priorities.”

Watts has experience looking beyond Google Apps as an email and calendar service. Google Apps is a platform for collaboration and managed file services. By integrating Google Apps for Business with legacy applications, integrating line of business applications, and providing virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) services, Watts and the team at Cumulus Global deliver solutions that organizations need to compete in today’s business climate.

 

Webcasts

Be Prepared for New Cybersecurity Requirements

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(03/26/24) – Increased governmental and industry regulations, a maturing cybersecurity industry, and supply chain best-practices are driving requirements for advanced security services and business continuity solutions.

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Using VDI to Improve Hybrid Work

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(02/27/24) – Supporting hybrid workers comes with additional security, BYOD, access, performance, and budget challenges. Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) & remote desktop services improve security, access, and performance without damaging your budget.

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7 Questions to Ask Your IT Provider

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eBook | Source: Cumulus Global — For small and midsize businesses like yours, the information technology and services environment continues to change. Here are seven questions, across a range of topics, to ask your current IT provider to ensure they are actively helping you look forward.

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5 Things Your IT Provider Should be Telling You

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eBook | Source: Cumulus Global — Beyond Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace, SMBs use cloud services differently than larger organizations. Understanding these differences, we identify strategies to guide your plans and decisions for getting the most value from your current systems and new, managed, cloud services.

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Cloud Strategies for Small and Midsize Businesses

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eBook | Source: Cumulus Global — Beyond Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace, SMBs use cloud services differently than larger organizations. Understanding these differences, we identify strategies to guide your plans and decisions for getting the most value from your current systems and new, managed, cloud services.

Read more