Assessing if Cloud Computing is Right for your Agency

Transcription

1 Assessing if Cloud Computing is Right for your Agency

2 Agenda 1. What is the cloud? 2. Why is it important? 3. What are some of the major players/services in the cloud? 4. What are the costs? 5. What are the risks and payouts? 6. Taking your first leap into the cloud while keeping one foot on the ground

3 What is Cloud Computing

4 What is Cloud Computing

5 What???? The practice of using a network of remote servers hosted on the Internet to store, manage, and process data, rather than a local server or a personal computer.

6 Types of Cloud Computing IaaS: Infrastructure as a service PaaS: Platform as a service SaaS: Software as a Service

7 3 Types of Cloud Software-as-a- Service Software you access through the Internet e.g. Gmail, Salesforce, Survey Monkey, Google Docs, office 365 Platform-as-a- Service Online environment for building software e.g. Force.com, Microsoft Azure Infrastructure-as-a- Service Servers and storage in the cloud Rackspace/cubby

8 The Average Cloud user Connects to the cloud via the Internet Does computing tasks Runs applications Stores Data

9 Do You Use the Cloud?

10 Are you in the cloud?

11 The Cloud in Your Day-to-Day

12 /IM Gmail Skype Lync MS Less Maintenance No more backing up Exchange No more archiving Access to Better Tools Video/audio chat Instant messaging Screen sharing Easy Transition Exact same tools you use right now Outlook/Web

13 File sharing easy hard Cloud Configuration File storage File collaboration Local Configuration Migration Google Drive SkyDrive Cubby DropBox User Retraining

14 File Sharing - Benefits Less Maintenance Get rid of your file server? Don t worry about backups (as much) Watch Security Professional Versions Universal Access Work from home or while traveling Give decentralized organizations centralized resources Actual Collaboration Versioning Concurrent file editing Integrate files with calendars, contacts, tasks, your workflow

15 Phones Voice Over IP (internet) easy hard Clould Configuration Local Configuration Also known as VoIP Hosted PBX On-site VoIP phones / soft clients Migration User Retraining Verizon Hosted PBX

16 Phones Save Money More competition Universal Access Get and receive calls when traveling Give home offices / other offices desk phones Business Continuity Keep getting calls at your extension if the office phones aren t working Serve your clients in any situation

17 Desktops easy hard Service Configuration Local Configuration Need a place to run office, connect to other services Virtual desktops Migration User Retraining

18 Desktops Don t Worry About Hardware Use zero-clients Universal Access Work at the same desktop anywhere with an Internet connection Download your desktop to work off-line Business Continuity Work from anywhere Office flooding No down-time due to hardware

19 Databases easy hard Service Configuration Local Configuration Migration Salesforce Zoho CRM Move existing to cloud User Retraining Impleme nt Now

20 Databases Less Maintenance Don t pay for a server just for one thing Is your current DB actually backed up? Are you sure? Universal Access Give everyone everywhere access Stretch (geographically) Business Continuity Work from anywhere No down-time due to hardware

21 Backup and Disaster Recovery In the Cloud ibackup Evault

22 So what????

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25 Advantages Can be less expensive Any computer or device with an Internet connection Compatible with most computers and operating systems Updates occur across the service Cloud-based disaster-recovery as-a-service

26 Impact: Lower Barrier to Entry Staff can focus on what it does best: mission, programs

27 Impact: Shifting Use Outside the office More people will be using both on premises and cloud versions of MS Office

28 Impact: Shifting Use Hybrid cloud adoption Use of computers will change toward easier collaboration/sharing and better access to the office anywhere you are. More flexibility

29 Impact: Software Costs gradual

30 Impact: Hardware Costs Hardware Telecom costs increase Predictable, measurable cost

31 Backup/Disaster Recovery BackupSecurity Very little administration required

32 Disadvantages Security Issues Privacy Policies

33 Impact -- More Complexity More IT choices More Mature Less Mature Info from Forresters

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35 Major Services

36 Major Cloud Apps Twitter Facebook Google Apps Zoho & office productivity Linked In Social networking Your Agency Office 365 Salesforce CRM CiviCRM Communication File sharing Skype GoToMeeting ReadyTalk Google Drive Box.net Skydrive Dropbox

37 Even more ways to use the Mass s/ E-Newsletters MailChimp, Vertical Response, Constant Contact cloud Basic Websites Weebly Event Registration Eventbrite, Guestlist Project Management Basecamp, Smartsheet, Podio Survey/voting tools Doodle, PollDaddy, Survey Monkey

38 What is Office 365?

39 Google Apps

40 What does the cloud cost?

41 DISCOUNT FREE Business Productivity Online Suite

42 Buy vs. Rent

43 Example: TRADITIONAL Server-based: Microsoft Exchange (via TechSoup Canada) Cost of server: varies Windows Server + CALs: $55 + $3/person Exchange Server Standard + CALs: $44 + $5/person Microsoft Outlook: $6/person Security, spam filtering: varies Upgrade every 3-5 years Cloud-based: Google Apps Free Also includes calendar, docs

44 A word of caution In almost all cases there is no law against using cloud computing Up to you to read the Terms of Service You are responsible for your data at the end of the day Avoid using cloud/be extra careful for political or extremely sensitive data e.g. political activists, women s shelters

45 How do you get started?

46 Experiment Pick a low-risk area Many tools are free or have free 30-day trial Try it out! Learn! Have fun!

47 Implementation

48 Assess & Plan 1. Assess your nonprofit s technology & determine priorities Tech self-assessment: _self_assessment 2. Set goals 3. Research & try out options Jane vs. Tierney ( Platformation ( Idealware (

49 Conclusion The Cloud has a lot to offer. Cloud solutions are often greener, easier to implement, and more secure. Cloud solutions are not right for every need or every organization. Talk with your board, staff, volunteers and/or consultants. Decide which is the best first step for your organization.

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51 Thank you!