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Advantages of Cloud Hosting for Your Business

by Van Murray on March 16, 2011

Cloud HostingBusiness of all sizes are increasingly seeing the advantages of cloud hosting for their websites and data storage versus traditional dedicated or shared servers.  Cloud hosting, though still rapidly growing and improving, already offers distinct advantages over traditional options.  Each business is created differently, with individual needs and pain points; however, the ability to customize to specific organizational needs is one of the key advantages offered by the cloud.  When compared across criteria of fundamental importance to businesses, such as reliability, price, efficiency, ease of use, and scalability, the answer becomes clear that for most users, cloud hosting is the best complete solution.

Each of the factors mentioned above is a primary consideration for most businesses; but with so many other day-to-day tasks consuming time, the last thing a business owner wants to worry about is the reliability of servers.  Traditional solutions have been set up to include several sites or databases on a dedicated server, which leaves them susceptible to costly downtime and problems.  Although most enterprise solutions have been able to create efficient data archetypes, the reality is that any system that doesn’t feature full-proof backup will experience some unwelcome downtime.  Conversely, cloud hosting is built on a framework that is able to automate load balancing and instant traffic routing when websites experience huge traffic increases or server problems, ensuring negligible downtime.  Cloud solutions almost unilaterally offer guaranteed uptime of more than 99.9%, with some providing a 100% guarantee.

In addition to ease of use and reliability, cloud hosting provides companies with more individualized options to match their data and storage goals to their business objectives.  Traditional solutions are dependent on expensive hardware that is often shared with other companies, owned by their hosting service, and difficult to scale.  Cloud hosting bypasses this myriad of problems through its ability to create scalable options without expensive incremental hardware costs.  The ability to scale comes at a price for companies, though, as newer cloud technology can be more expensive on a monthly basis.  For companies that expect growth and don’t want to invest in permanent in-house or shared servers, though, this interim price increase proves negligible in the long-term.

If your company is frustrated with the IT, scalability, and ease of use constraints that come with a dedicated server system, cloud hosting could be the perfect solution for your needs.  Accent Plus specializes in matching businesses with the best hosting plans for their needs and provides initial advice and set-up, as well as ongoing support for any help you may need.  Contact Accent Plus today to find out more about the specifics of how a cloud hosting solution can help your businesses.

Stability and Security in Cloud Computing

by Van Murray on March 14, 2011

The speculation over security on cloud hosted solutions, as with past innovative and unfamiliar technologies, is generally unwarranted given cloud computing’s ability to centralize and manage data more securely than past hosted solutions. Perhaps the most significant driver of cloud security misperception is the cloud providers themselves. While cloud solutions have the capability to provide unmatched security, poorly administered or stripped-down solutions can leave data vulnerable. Well-managed cloud hosting solutions, though, with their immense security and reliability merits, will become the paradigm for exactly how your hosted solution should function, safely and low maintenance.

A great differentiator for cloud computing is its ability to scale and meet the security needs of individual organizations. Whether an organization prioritizes cost-effective data storage or powerful encryption and protection capabilities, a custom cloud solution can be tailored to the model. Cloud hosting’s ability to maintain such tight control over data is due to its centralization of data under the attentively constructed parameters of trusted cloud vendors. Traditional IT security was primarily an in-house responsibility, leaving a company’s most secure data at the subjection of each member of its IT department. Reputable cloud providers can leverage scale of data to create multiple data centers, backup and recovery systems, and several digital security layers of protection as standard procedure to protect your data.

While the benefits of onboarding a cloud-based solution are well-grounded, each organization must take the time to evaluate individual needs. Very large companies, such as those in the Fortune 100, still may want to take every precaution necessary and maintain internal servers backed by a well-staffed and capable IT department. Most companies, though, need IT personnel to focus on fixing everyday problems rather than broad infrastructure architecture and mitigating security risks. For these businesses, both large and small, the right cloud solution could greatly enhance security and return technical manpower to areas where it is most-needed.

The most important element to remember is, while remarkably capable, cloud computing’s intricacy and high level of scalability make it important to select a provider with caution. All cloud providers are not created equal, but the right fit between a business and a cloud hosted solution can provide remarkable peace of mind and functionality. If you think your business could be a good fit for a cloud hosted solution, contacting Accent Plus is a great way to start the process. An evaluation of your current system and future needs can go a long way to optimizing your business and capitalizing on this exciting new innovation.

Using the Cloud for File Sharing

by Van Murray on February 28, 2011

The technology behind cloud computing allows businesses to optimize their work and project sharing, collaborate in real-time, and expedite organizational communications. Cloud computing is a concept that hasn’t been possible until recently; however, the complexity of the system’s foundation is masked by the ease of operation it allows for users. In the past, organizations were unable to provide access to shared files and maintain databases without the use of extensive software products or the creation of unreliable and expensive internal servers. At best, in-house data solutions required the attention of an IT department and could not provide the up-time available with cloud solutions.

As businesses become increasingly globalized and travel becomes easier, cloud computing enables sharing files and real-time collaboration to keep up with modern itineraries. Internally hosted solutions make it difficult to maintain access to secure data when away from your work or home networks; however, the ability to securely store data without a physical location enables unprecedented mobility. When out of the office it is important to not only have access to data, but to be able to interact and collaborate with your co-workers on timely projects.

There are two ways Accent Plus can help your company begin sharing files effectively and in real-time.  We offer set-up and deployment of the Google Docs collaboration application and “any file” cloud storage. Both services offer flexibility and remote access to important files, allowing businesses to be more flexible and nimble.  Hosting files in the cloud provides users with simultaneous access to documents and presentations that can be edited in real-time. This under-appreciated feature can save countless hours of working in-turn or time lost by overwriting existing files.

Not being able to effectively collaborate or experiencing downtime with data systems is problematic; however, these problems can not compare to the crisis of total loss of projects and data. Servers are difficult and arduous to backup, so when data is lost, it can rarely be recovered. Cloud computing solutions enable the automating saving of data files, including projects, presentations, and email attachments, so that you always have access when you need it. Extensive storage space means that email files and drafted iterations can be continually saved to prevent data loss without inhibiting future storage options.

The advent of cloud computing has provided new and exciting options for businesses looking to stay agile, dynamic, and secure in an increasingly global business climate. Accent Plus is a cloud service provider specializing in cloud computing solutions and is a great touch point for any questions you may have about integrating your business or setting up cloud functionality.

Raleigh Google Apps Integration: Using Google Apps For Business

by Van Murray on February 23, 2011

The ability of a business to collaborate, share ideas and store information online is fundamental to the growth and maintenance of efficient, contemporary companies. In the past, answers to enterprise-level problems required expensive, enterprise-specific solutions, including server installation and arduous IT support. Advancements in the areas of cloud computing and the innovation of Google’s business solution, Google Apps for Business, has put control back in the hands of companies.

While it is counterintuitive to believe that one solution offers higher quality service, renowned innovation and full compatibility at a lower price point than competitors, Google Apps for Business does just that. The cloud computing technology that enables the Google Apps system is the key in providing this solution. Google is able to offer this system to businesses on a scalable level, allowing money to be focused on innovation and utility rather than continual server maintenance and custom installation.

The quality of Google’s Apps for Business system lies in its subtle, yet powerful integration.  The system provides businesses with products they already recognize and use, except with more powerful platforms designed for enterprise-level solutions. The products within the Google Apps for Business Suite include: customized Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Docs, Google Groups, Google Sites, Google Video, and many more.  Because of Google’s experience improving tools’ and sites’ usability based on interactions with everyday Internet users, this system is designed to provide extensive options without the confusing interface used in other solutions.

More specifically, Google Apps’ system gives businesses more than 50 times the storage capability of industry averages, as well as 99.9 percent uptime guaranteed and full integration with mobile devices. Google Apps for Business is built around the idea that time shouldn’t go into maintaining servers and finding ways around compatibility issues, but rather building your business in the most efficient way possible.

In addition to offering seamless integration and powerful back-end functionality, Google Apps for Business provides users with the best data security possible. Businesses need to share confidential data. The thought of having internal documents compromised is a strategic and legal nightmare for both owners and IT departments. Google Apps for Business is fully compliant with FISMA (The Federal Information Security Management Act of 2002), Cloud Security Alliance standards, and has earned SAS 70 Type II certification. These achievements allow businesses to focus on what is important like effortlessly sharing data within an office, remotely, or on mobile devices without the risk of data loss, excessive downtime, or theft.

The Google Apps for Business solution is built specifically for businesses and provides nothing but the best regarding your communication and data storage needs. Accent Plus specializes in cloud computing services and is a proponent of the Google Apps solution. Businesses looking for ease of usability powered by secure and powerful cloud server platforms should look at further information on the Google Apps for Business website and try the free versions of certain Apps that are offered. Get in touch with Accent Plus if you want to find out more about how your business can begin powering your system with Google Apps for Business.

Elgin Recycling Goes Google

by Van Murray on June 13, 2010

Elgin Recycling has been serving the scrap metal industry in the Chicagoland area for 30 years. As a full service scrap metal recycling company Elgin Recycling accept ferrous, non-ferrous and exotic metals as well as, paper, cardboard, plastic and electronics. Elgin Recycling is a full service processing facility known for quality service, integrity and dedication.

Accent Plus, Inc. managed Elgin Recycling’s Google Deployment, performed a managed mailbox migration from multiple data sources and provided training documentation.  With a fully managed, off-hours deployment, Elgin Recycling had zero business down-time and were able to immediately take advantage of Google Apps services.

Elgin Recycling can now take advantage of Google Apps services like Gmail for business with 25GB mailboxes, shared calendars, Google Docs with unlimited doc storage and Google Sites.