Virtualization – the idea of taking physical systems and migrating them to a digital version – is a popular method businesses use to save space, decrease costs and potentially increase productivity. This concept is focused mainly on backend systems, like servers and desktop computers. There is a new candidate for virtualization that could take off in the next few years: your phone.

Traditional smartphones are individual packages. The operating system and user are physically tied to the device. If you think about it, there are really only a few phones out there, and millions of people probably have the exact same one that you do. They differentiate their phones from others by the pictures, apps, videos, etc. stored on the device and the way they have personalized their phones.

Should you lose your phone, that data is likely lost, and you are faced with a potentially high cost to replace it. The two major operating system developers – Apple (iOS) and Google (Android) – have started to implement virtual backup solutions. Your contacts, apps and some personalization settings are backed up to the cloud and connected with a user account. When you enter the account information, you can quickly get the most important information from your phone back.

Combine this with the various cloud storage services that allow users to store their information, pictures, etc., with access from nearly any device. This integration with the cloud has enabled users to rely less on physical devices, and points to a potential virtualization concept: Non-dedicated devices.

The idea of non-dedicated devices is that you can use any device, regardless of manufacturer or OS, to access a system you can call your own. Imagine if your phone runs out of batteries. You borrow a friend’s, log in using your username and password and that device instantly becomes personalized to you.

Could this work?
There are currently three identifiable virtualization trends that point to non-dedicated mobile devices becoming  a reality:

1. Increasing adoption of cloud services by mobile uses - Many mobile users have cloud storage apps installed on their devices and store some form of mobile related information or data on it. What’s more, these apps are cross-platform meaning you can access them on iPhone, Android, Mac or Windows.
2. Heavy personalization of mobile devices - OS developers have started to store more information in the cloud. Google, for example, can store your contacts and basic personalization choices – e.g., wallpaper and apps, pictures, and even your calendar, in the cloud. Make changes on your mobile and you will see these on your computer too.
3. Ability to access whole work systems from a mobile device - There are apps for both Android and Apple devices that allow users to access and control their desktops and work systems directly from phone or tablet. This has decreased the need for users to be chained to their desk just to be able to do work.

It wouldn’t be hard for an enterprising company to develop a system that integrates these three, already existing functions into a device. The only major stumbling block we can see is that current OS developers don’t necessarily get along all that well. We predict that this virtualization will become a possibility on individual systems (Android and iOS), in the near future, but across systems may take longer.

We’d like to know what you think of non-dedicated devices. Would you use one? Are there any other problems you can foresee? Let us know today.

When choosing what you want to do when you go to the cloud there are many options but you must be careful how you arrange your support before you make the transition. In our experience while interviewing Data Centers and Cloud providers we have discovered that many providers stop at a certain point leaving the customer on their own to find someone to help them when things go wrong but that’s where someone like Expetec can fill in the gap. For example, not all software is Cloud ready, not being able to connect to your Cloud, they only support the infrastructure, and so on. So before you depart with your IT vendor, or parts of your staff get a clear understanding from your potential Cloud provider what is covered under their scope of work.
Things you will want to ask:
Who do I contact when a user can’t connect to my Cloud Platform?
That problem alone can have you calling multiple people. You may be experiencing an internet outage, something as simple as your wireless adapter is not turned on or you are not plugged in to the local network could be the problem, or malware could be causing the problem just to name a few.
Who will verify my software is Cloud ready and it is compatible with the operating system provided by the Cloud provider?
Some industry Specific Software takes a little longer to build a platform that will work with Microsoft Server 2012, Windows 8, and other types of software you may be using.
What is my commitment?
If you decide that it is just not working for you or certain software doesn’t work in the cloud what will you be committed to if you want to make changes.
Another important question maybe the most important is how will this help me serve my customers better or how will it improve the way I am doing business?
Jumping on the cloud bandwagon without a reason can cause many headaches you just don’t need as a business so have a predetermined objective in mind and measure it.

These are just a few things you need to consider for a move to the cloud some that we feel are very important it does not cover everything like backups, redundancy, security but a few things that can cause some headaches.
Author,

Michael St. John
VP of Sales and Marketing
Expetec Technology Servcies

Cloud computing is having a tremendous impact on small businesses, who view the cloud as a much more efficient and cost-effective way to manage their IT requirements. While there are indeed several benefits to moving to the cloud, it is also important to know more about how the cloud will affect YOUR particular business, in both the short and long terms.

As the IT industry continues to evolve, the latest transformation is the move to cloud computing. The emergence of cloud computing has definitely changed the way many organizations manage their operations – especially for small businesses, who are currently the leading adopters of the cloud.

Focus on Main Business When companies move their business management systems to the cloud, the cloud provider takes care of managing the infrastructure. Managers can focus on the needs of the customers and the business instead of being sidetracked by IT issues. IT staff can focus their time on new ways to build revenue generation instead of costing the company money.

Save Capital Expenditures With cloud computing, the company doesn't need to invest in servers to run new versions of the applications needed to run the business. Desktops and laptops can be used for a longer period of time when business management applications are accessed via the web. With most cloud applications, the business only pays for the services and software they need, adjusting user counts as the business grows.

If you are interested to know more about cloud computing and how it would impact your business, please feel free to contact us. We will be happy to sit down with you to talk about the solutions that work best for your company.

Doing business is a balancing act – with so many concerns and issues on every business owner plate, it's only prudent to consider solutions that will help lighten the load to operate more efficiently. And for many, that solution is cloud computing.

As the economy rebounds, businesses need to be ready to stay competitive while keeping costs under control. Small and medium-sized businesses must maximize the productivity of resources without compromising the end product or service. Cloud computing is helping more and more small and medium-sized businesses balance costs and resources.

Lower Costs The cloud is generally more cost effective, and spreads payment out over time. Monthly payment for subscriptions for applications allows businesses to pay only for services used each month. Updates and maintenance costs are usually included in the subscription cost. Companies save on dedicated IT support – as well as the cost of the electricity, space, and hardware that run the applications that manage your business operations.

Ensure Availability Another plus for the cloud is that it is more reliable and dependable. Few companies can afford to frequently update their hardware and software, so when problems arise, they have nowhere to turn. With the cloud, the application provider pays for the specialized staff to keep hardware and software running smoothly.

Secure Data Speaking of dependability, the cloud is also a better place to store your data. Depending on your subscription, you can arrange for regular backups of data to secure servers in case of any sort of incident – hardware failure, natural disasters, and more. With data backup through the cloud, you are better assured that you can always access your data no matter what happens.

If you are interested in knowing more about how cloud computing can help your business function more efficiently, please feel free to contact us so we can sit down with you and develop a custom solution based on your specific needs.

Cloud computing is changing the way businesses operate. By accessing software and services through the internet instead of on internal hardware, companies can save capital and respond to opportunities quickly.

With cloud computing, businesses can tap into software and services as they need them, using an Internet connection and a web browser. Cloud services can help you manage growth and connect with your staff across town or the world.

Manage Growth

One of the toughest aspects of running a small business is predicting what resources are needed to support future demand. If the company grows quickly, more people and equipment need to be added to fulfill the work. Too much investment for the future is risky.

Cloud computing allows companies to quickly access the applications needed to increase capacity, support growth and handle busy periods. If a customer or project demands increase, software in the cloud scales without a big outlay of cash. The flexibility of the organization increases with cloud computing because it is easy to adjust and scale.

Improve Collaboration

Companies with remote employees can particularly benefit from cloud computing. More and more small and medium-sized businesses support home workers and employees that aren’t in the main office every day.

No matter where they're located, employees can use cloud applications to have meetings, talk to one another, share files, and collaborate on materials in real time. With cloud computing, you can build a team that works together seamlessly, and improved productivity and better communication allows businesses to capitalize on new opportunities quickly.

Find out more about the benefits of cloud computing. We'll help you find the solutions that fit your business and your budget.