Is your IT future somewhat cloudy?

Don’t panic.  Could be a good thing.

If you’re thinking about cloud computing, that is.

For those who aren’t sure, cloud computing is a general term used to describe computer services that are delivered via the Internet, rather than installed in your on-site computer or server.

The cloud can store your data, deliver all kinds of useful apps, do your number crunching, provide financial information, and perform just about any service that an on-site computer can execute.

Cloud advantages are many.

Cost can be reduced, for example.  Perhaps you make heavy demands on your data systems on an infrequent basis.  Instead of buying a large machine that sits idle most of the time, you can access the cloud and get all the computing power you need on a pay-for-what-you-use basis.  The cloud is scalable.

Location doesn’t matter.  You can access the cloud wherever you can get web service.

You are device independent.  The cloud is available through your PC, laptop, smart phone, or tablet.

Maintenance becomes easier and upgrades are practically automatic, because someone else has that responsibility.

In many cases, using the cloud permits you to reduce or redeploy your IT personnel.

It’s not magic.  Cloud service is provided by distant data centers connected to the world by high speed data links.  Just as there are a number of sources for electricity (coal powered, gas fired, nuclear, wind turbine), there are a variety of sources for cloud service.

Sound attractive?  Well, it is.  However, there are significant issues to be considered.

Reliability is one.  Large data centers rarely fail, but when they do life can get very “interesting.”

For example, early last August 7, Amazon’s huge data center in Dublin went off line unexpectedly, cutting off service to thousands across Europe.  Long story short, service was not fully restored until the evening of August 10.  Stuff happens.

There are also concerns about the security of your sensitive data and vulnerability to hacking.

But don’t give up hope.  Cloud computing has huge potential advantages.  IT Radix can help you figure out if you should fly up to the cloud. We can guide you in encrypting your data, guarding your keys, ensuring that your provider has expert credentials, and that your data is adequately protected and backed up.