Cloud Computing. What does it really mean for your business?

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1 Cloud Computing What does it really mean for your business?

2 Technology transforming business The IDC survey, conducted with 696 IT executives and CIOs said that 41 percent are either evaluating cloud solutions or already piloting them. Why Cloud Computing? The term cloud is used as a metaphor for the Internet, based on how the Internet is depicted in computer network diagrams, and is an abstraction for the complex infrastructure it conceals. A style of Computing where scalable and elastic IT capabilities are provided as a service to multiple customers using Internet technologies Gartner What is Cloud Computing? Fine. That all sounds great on the surface, but what does it all really mean for your business, why should you be interested in knowing more about what it has to offer and how can you benefit right now? What does this really mean for your business? You can now access advanced business services at a fraction of the cost and management overhead of doing it yourself, and pay on a fixed and predictable cost basis, like you would with a utility. No surprises, no cost spikes and everything done for you. This approach massively reduces both the operational and financial risks involved when implementing new technologies. Services are delivered to you with powerful Service Level Agreements (SLAs) that would be too costly to attempt to match in-house. We believe Utility Computing, accessed via a Cloud or Hosted Computing infrastructure is your opportunity to: Reduce your costs Quickly access new technologies Improve your service levels Free up your company capital Keep control of your IT and focus on growth 2

3 Traditional buying models are disappearing fast Gartner expects enterprise Software as a Service revenue (SaaS) to more than double. The popularity of the ondemand deployment model has increased significantly within the last four years. Initial concerns over security, response time, and service availability have diminished for many organisations as SaaS business and computing models have matured and adoption has become pervasive. Sharon Mertz, research director at Gartner Why Utility Computing has come of age The technology landscape has changed : The dominance of the Internet The introduction of virtualisation technologies The commoditisation and standardisation of technologies Increasing bandwidth and quality of Internet connectivity The convergence of voice and data services from a single provider The growth in SaaS (Software as a Service) adoption The ability to access applications, services and resources when needed, regardless of device or location The speed of this technology change combined with the pressures of the current economic climate mean that the constraints of traditional software and hardware buying models are disappearing fast. Forward looking businesses are already using Utility Computing services, delivered via the Cloud, to ensure they stay ahead of the competition and grow. 3

4 Technology complexity is accelerating The constraints of the traditional buying model The traditional way of paying for Information Communications Technology has been to pay for the technologies themselves rather than paying for what the technologies enable your people to do. In the old world you would pay for hardware and software through capital expenditure and take on the risks and headaches associated with that approach. You take on and have to live with: Unpredictable costs Security and resilience concerns The inflexibility to react to change The risks of long payback periods The risks and cost of long solution deployment times The risks and cost of buying into the wrong technology Management, maintenance, migration and support headaches Maintaining your in-house technology skills to keep systems operational You could be focusing time and resources doing all this while your competition simply races ahead. 4

5 Setting your business free Convert fixed costs into variable costs Reduce labour costs Start new projects quickly Focus on your core business Increase efficiency Reduce risk Gain competitive advantage The new world service model Many of us use Cloud Computing services already for home use rather than buying additional hardware and software. Whether it s centralised online storage for photos and documents, or even a virtual desktop service, we have got used to the convenience of being able to either pay-as-you-go or even get these services for free. The increases in broadband availability and speeds have meant that we have got used to the idea of accessing a central technology platform rather than just accessing information locally. But how will that work for your business? When considering Utility Computing services you need to work with a completely different type of provider, one that will give you: A clear technology roadmap The assurance that your data is totally secure Access to expert advice and guidance in the UK Experience and references from satisfied customers Round the clock management and support in the UK A business only network, not one contended with consumers A business grade service with a strong service level agreement Access to the best and latest technology from the leading global vendors 5

6 What business issues does this solve? Allows you to control and cut costs Simplifies IT administration Allows you to focus on core activities Allows for the consolidation of suppliers and bills Gives you financial freedom Improves network resilience and security Improves your service levels Helps you support flexible working Helps improve communications Aids collaboration between employees, suppliers & partners Gives you competitive advantage Helps increase efficiency Helps improve agility Helps improve processes Business services from a partner you can trust IRIS Hosted Solutions lets you embrace the benefits of the Utility Computing delivery model, but with the added assurance of business grade service level agreements. Gain access to an on-demand technology platform without the need to invest in hardware or software, without employing new skills, expertise or resource all for a predictable per user monthly subscription. With IRIS Hosted Solutions you consume computing resources as a metered service, similar to any public utility such as water or electricity. You simply use business services on-demand. This platform gives you: Multi-layered security built in Expert help and advice An on-demand infrastructure Reduced cost and complexity Quick and easy solution deployment Comprehensive UK support 6

7 Access more people, more skills, more expertise Over 14 years experience providing Internet services to UK businesses. Supporting over half a million users every day. Comprehensive management and UK support In-house networks, security, applications and appliances require dedicated staff just to keep the solution managed and maintained - not to mention installing and configuring them. With IRIS Hosted Solutions this is no longer your concern. Focus your resources on growing your business From your initial enquiry right through to the ongoing management and support of your services, IRIS Hosted Solutions are here to help and advise. Our experienced team are committed to ensuring you receive industry leading service at all times. IRIS Hosted Solutions provides direct UK based support, combined with industry leading Service Level Agreements, providing the confidence you need. All our specialists are UK based and just a telephone call away. Leverage the best knowledge and resources in the industry Free your IT staff to focus on profit-driven concerns Protect against new, unidentified, or converged threats 7

8 Your Dynamic IT and Communications Platform Partners, suppliers and customers Head office Home Branch/office/site Multi-layered Security Business Continuity Secure access to public internet Secure access to public telephone network On the move 8

9 For further information, please call , or visit today. Whitepaper content reproduced courtesy of Star. 9 IRIS Hosted Solutions is a trading name of IRIS Enterprise Software Ltd which is part of the CSH Group of companies. IRIS is a trademark of IRIS Software Group Limited and CSH is a trading name of Computer Software Holdings Limited. Computer Software Group Ltd All rights reserved. *Microsoft applications latest at time of print. Later versions will also be supported.