Jefric Consulting, LLC - Blog » Cloud Computing http://jefric.com/blog IT Services and Consulting (http://www.jefric.com) Wed, 01 Feb 2012 01:09:05 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 The ABCs of Cloud Computing: Is it Right for You and Your Business. http://jefric.com/blog/2011/11/03/the-abcs-of-cloud-computing-is-it-right-for-you-and-your-business/ http://jefric.com/blog/2011/11/03/the-abcs-of-cloud-computing-is-it-right-for-you-and-your-business/#comments Thu, 03 Nov 2011 20:00:11 +0000 AlanBuckwalter http://jefric.com/blog/?p=436 Cloud computing has become one of the most talked about IT paradigms of recent years. For nearly everyone who uses technology today, it is not a question of whether or not you will use cloud computing as it is when and for how much.

Click here to view a webinar Jefric Consulting recently gave for the NJSCPA.

]]> http://jefric.com/blog/2011/11/03/the-abcs-of-cloud-computing-is-it-right-for-you-and-your-business/feed/ 0 Cloud Computing – Security is key! http://jefric.com/blog/2011/02/03/cloud-computing-security-is-key/ http://jefric.com/blog/2011/02/03/cloud-computing-security-is-key/#comments Fri, 04 Feb 2011 00:12:02 +0000 AlanBuckwalter http://jefric.com/blog/?p=384 When people think about moving their technology into the cloud, one of the most command (and important) questions and considerations is security. After all, you are (in many cases) handing over your business, systems, data and intellectual property to a third party. Do you trust them to protect YOUR best interests.

There has been a lot of discussion of this issue; here are two:

How Secure is that Cloud Vendor? 7 Basics
How Secure is That Cloud Vendor? Part Two

What do you think about security and the cloud? Leave a comment here with your thoughts.

Jefric Consulting, LLC

http://www.jefric.com

IT Services and Consulting
Microsoft Small Business Specialist
info@jefric.com

]]> http://jefric.com/blog/2011/02/03/cloud-computing-security-is-key/feed/ 0 The case for mobile computing and Wi-Fi – SAVE MONEY http://jefric.com/blog/2010/10/27/the-case-for-mobile-computing-and-wi-fi-save-money/ http://jefric.com/blog/2010/10/27/the-case-for-mobile-computing-and-wi-fi-save-money/#comments Wed, 27 Oct 2010 17:51:02 +0000 AlanBuckwalter http://jefric.com/blog/?p=361 Do you have field employees? Does your staff spend (a significant amount of) time out of the office during the day, only to rush back at the end of the day to wrap up their “normal” work, accumulating a significant expense (in overtime, and more) for your business? If you answered yes, you are not alone.

This is a very common scenario for many businesses, and while Smartphone’s and PDA’s have helped clear some of the email backlog there is often other work to be done requiring access to office systems and services and returning to the office.

By using a local and Free Wi-Fi Hot-Spot (see “Looking to be productive anywhere? Free Wi-Fi can help!”,) and one of a variety of technology solutions your staff can be productive during random moments of idle / downtime, waiting time, etc., decreasing (or eliminating those) unnecessary trips back to the office (during or at the end of the day) and SAVING YOU MONEY.

For example:

1) If you are using Cloud services for email, file sharing, or business applications, you may only need an internet connection and a web browser to be productive like your back in the office. Instead of using a desktop, the same functionality is available on a notebook, net-book, tablet / iPad or Smartphone.

2) If you have an office server with remote desktop / access capabilities, your technology may only be a VPN or Remote Desktop connection away. Again, by using a (shared) notebook, net-book, or tablet / iPad, access to key business services and technology may be an internet connection away.

Wouldn’t you like to save money? Reduce or eliminate your overtime spend? Get your employees home to their families at a normal hour? Consider the possibilities of mobile computing. You may be surprised!

For more information or help getting started, visit our website: http://www.jefric.com or give us a call 201-370-6430.

Jefric Consulting – We want to help you value technology as a strategic asset, rather than an ongoing expense.

Jefric Consulting, LLC
IT Services and Consulting
Microsoft Small Business Specialist
http://www.jefric.com
201.370.6430

]]> http://jefric.com/blog/2010/10/27/the-case-for-mobile-computing-and-wi-fi-save-money/feed/ 0 Essential Office Technology for Pennies a Day http://jefric.com/blog/2010/10/05/essential-office-technology-for-pennies-a-day/ http://jefric.com/blog/2010/10/05/essential-office-technology-for-pennies-a-day/#comments Tue, 05 Oct 2010 13:28:31 +0000 AlanBuckwalter http://jefric.com/blog/?p=355 Is your business email branded to your domain, “@mycompany.com” or does it end in “gmail.com”, “aol.com”, “yahoo.com” or something else? When your email is sitting in the Inbox of a client or vendor, do you want them to think of your business or the phone / cable company?

Are you able to easily share documents and collaborate with people inside and outside your organization? Is web conferencing something that can help improve productivity, save time and money across your business? Would instant messaging be valuable within your business, helping your employees communicate faster and more effectively with eachother?

If you answered yes to one or all of these questions, the Microsoft Online Services may be able to help you.

Microsoft Online Services offers a solution for all four of these essential business needs, with NO onsite server required, and the ability to access your information from virtually any web enabled device. Email (Exchange), Collaboration (Sharepoint), Web Conferencing (Livemeeting) and Instant Messaging (Office Communication) are all available individually or as a suite for a low monthly subscription fee.

For more information or help getting started visit our website: http://www.jefric.com or give us a call 201-370-6430.

Jefric Consulting – We want to help you value technology as a strategic asset, rather than an ongoing expense.

]]> http://jefric.com/blog/2010/10/05/essential-office-technology-for-pennies-a-day/feed/ 0 Save more money on the Cloud – Open Source http://jefric.com/blog/2010/10/04/save-more-money-on-the-cloud-open-source/ http://jefric.com/blog/2010/10/04/save-more-money-on-the-cloud-open-source/#comments Mon, 04 Oct 2010 15:03:10 +0000 AlanBuckwalter http://jefric.com/blog/?p=353 Open source is a great way to save money without sacrificing quality of software for your business. For those businesses that felt that Microsoft Office was too much of an expense, many went with OpenOffice. There are hundreds if not thousands of other desktop and server business application available that offer a price and functionality competitive solution.

Now it seems that Open Source is taking to the Cloud!! Read: Cloud Computing and Open Source: The Next Generation of Apps

Have you used Open Source software for your business? Would you consider it?
Share your thoughts and comments here.

Alan Buckwalter
Jefric Consulting, LLC

http://www.jefric.com

IT Services and Consulting

]]> http://jefric.com/blog/2010/10/04/save-more-money-on-the-cloud-open-source/feed/ 0 Challenges with Cloud Computing http://jefric.com/blog/2010/09/28/challenges-with-cloud-computing/ http://jefric.com/blog/2010/09/28/challenges-with-cloud-computing/#comments Tue, 28 Sep 2010 16:17:40 +0000 AlanBuckwalter http://jefric.com/blog/?p=343 There’s been a lot of attention on the “reliability of the Cloud”. Google has had a number of outages this year, and even Microsoft has been having trouble recently. If you don’t feel comfortable using the big vendors, who can you trust?

But it’s not just the cloud vendors that you have to worry about. If you move your applications and data into the cloud, your Internet connection becomes even more critical. That puts people like AT&T, Verizon, the cable company, etc ALL in the hot-seat. Connectivity and performance are more important than ever.

Read more at The Cloud Issue You Really Can’t Ignore.

Share you experience and comments with us.

Alan Buckwalter
Jefric Consulting, LLC
Small Business IT Services and Consulting
http://www.jefric.com

]]> http://jefric.com/blog/2010/09/28/challenges-with-cloud-computing/feed/ 0 The 13 things you should know before going cloud http://jefric.com/blog/2010/08/27/the-13-things-you-should-know-before-going-cloud/ http://jefric.com/blog/2010/08/27/the-13-things-you-should-know-before-going-cloud/#comments Fri, 27 Aug 2010 12:44:53 +0000 AlanBuckwalter http://jefric.com/blog/?p=338 Are you confused about cloud computing? Are trying to figure out who really understands the technology, vs someone who is just riding the hype? Would you like to know what’s being done to “clear the fog”?

“There’s a lot of hype about cloud computing but not as much clarity into exactly how to adopt cloud computing for your particular environment or specifically to address all the security “what ifs” the technology raises. A group called the Cloud Security Alliance (CSA) is trying to provide that insight.” Full article can be found here.

Are you using the cloud? Share your experiences and thoughts here.

]]> http://jefric.com/blog/2010/08/27/the-13-things-you-should-know-before-going-cloud/feed/ 0 Cloud Security – It is also your Job http://jefric.com/blog/2010/08/17/cloud-security-it-is-also-your-job/ http://jefric.com/blog/2010/08/17/cloud-security-it-is-also-your-job/#comments Tue, 17 Aug 2010 14:06:57 +0000 AlanBuckwalter http://jefric.com/blog/?p=331 Cloud computing represents a fundamental shift in office computing; leaving the maintenence and support up to your service provider. Does that mean that you can safely ignore it? I don’t think so.

It is always good to understand what you are paying someone else to worry about for you. You don’t have to be an expert, but you might wish to know what is going on, and make sure it is living up to your needs and expectations. When it comes to Cloud computing and security, it is no different.

Learn a bit here.

Are you trusting your computer security to the cloud? Are you confident in what is being done for you?

Share you comments.

Jefric Consulting, LLC
Small Business IT Services and Consulting

http://www.jefric.com

]]> http://jefric.com/blog/2010/08/17/cloud-security-it-is-also-your-job/feed/ 0 Cloud Computing Shopping List: 4 Key Ingredients http://jefric.com/blog/2010/06/08/cloud-computing-shopping-list-4-key-ingredients/ http://jefric.com/blog/2010/06/08/cloud-computing-shopping-list-4-key-ingredients/#comments Tue, 08 Jun 2010 17:00:26 +0000 AlanBuckwalter http://jefric.com/blog/?p=299 Measure twice, cut once – Sound familiar?
When planning your IT, the same holds true. Careful planning is essential before you execute.

“When you’re preparing your IT budget for use of private or public cloud services, what should be at the top of your shopping list? Here are four key categories — including one that may surprise you. ”

Read more here.

Share you comments and experience.

]]> http://jefric.com/blog/2010/06/08/cloud-computing-shopping-list-4-key-ingredients/feed/ 0 Six misconceptions about cloud apps http://jefric.com/blog/2010/05/26/six-misconceptions-about-cloud-apps/ http://jefric.com/blog/2010/05/26/six-misconceptions-about-cloud-apps/#comments Wed, 26 May 2010 21:28:45 +0000 AlanBuckwalter http://jefric.com/blog/?p=292 Everywhere you look there is a new “expert” in cloud computing, and what the future of IT will look like. I’ve even attended a trade show with two speakers back to back who didn’t agree with one another.

“Cloud computing is all the rage in the IT industry these days, but there’s still plenty of confusion about how cloud applications work and what kind of long-term impact they will have on business technology.

In this article we’ll take a look at six common misconceptions IT pros and users have about cloud apps, related to performance, security, management, cost and the long-term effect on IT staffing. ”

What are you hearing? Share you thoughts here!

Alan
Jefric Consulting, LLC

http://www.jefric.com

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