The Cloud

Posted by Alan Hardy on February 15, 2012

After attending many seminar sessions and webinars, reading lots of articles and whitepapers, and watching a few videos, it has become clear that no one really has the authority to claim they know what the cloud really is or isn’t.  Many try to portray their products as “true” cloud products.  As opposed to what ­­­­-- “false” cloud products?  I admit it has been somewhat amusing to learn about the cloud and how it can impact our businesses and makes things easier and better for all of us.

During one seminar session I attended a few months ago, the presenter told us how the cloud got its name.  A technology engineer was “white boarding” a system and needed to draw a picture of the internet and he drew a blob kind of looking object, and the rest is history.  I was a little disappointed.  I thought there would be some deep technology metaphor or story behind it.  Nope, just a blob on a white board!  Whether this is completely true or not, I guess it is believable.
 

There are some basic technology goals and requirements that the cloud and cloud products try to accomplish.  Here are a few:

 

  • Reduce/replace the need to maintain servers – Cloud products are typically hosted and accessed via the web. 
     
  • Scalable – Because cloud based products live on the web, you can typically have a small or large number of users without an issue.
     
  • Affordable – This may not always be the case, but the basic principle is that you only pay for what you need and use.
     
  • Reduces TCO – The ongoing ‘total cost of ownership’ has become a significant factor for our businesses.  For example, if you are using Microsoft Office in the cloud, you won’t need to install and maintain those installations on EVERY local desktop and laptop in your organization.
     
  • Web Platform – Cloud purists will claim that a product is not a “true” cloud product unless it is developed using current web technologies and platforms.  As a very narrow definition of a cloud product, I agree.  The big “however” is that you can effectively migrate most ANY application to the cloud and have it hosted, gaining significant benefit from not having to maintain local hardware networks and infrastructure. 
     

In our world of business software, there are choices of all types to pick from.  Some are web-only products, like NetSuite, and some can be run locally or be hosted, like Sage Software’s MAS 90 / MAS 200 and MAS 500.  For web-only, I happen to like NetSuite, that’s why I use it here as an example.  However, if you are very happy with your on-premise solution (like MAS 200) and you don’t want to change ERP systems, you can definitely migrate MAS 200 to the cloud and remove the maintenance and expense of local servers.  The technology is available now to access any and all of your applications via a secure web portal, from most any browser, and have your ENTIRE business secured in the cloud, NOT just one application.

Well, that’s enough about the cloud.  My big take-away is that there are effective and cost-reducing approaches to using the cloud for most anything.  My advice is that before you purchase your next new server, look at migrating your applications to the cloud to see what it means, what it costs, and how you get there.  Then make a decision.

Getting More Out of What You Don’t Have

Posted by Alan Hardy on January 6, 2012

I know, I know.  It looks like I accidentally slipped in the “don’t”.  For many years now, a prominent “tag line” for ESC Software has been, “Getting More Out of What You Have”.  We have consistently promoted learning more about the software you already own, implementing new features with each release, more fully utilizing built-in paperless options, etc…  Well, now it’s time for us look at what we don’t have, and how we can save money by embracing recent and not-so-recent technologies.

This is not just a plug for the “cloud”, but I’ll get to that later!  There were 4 main areas of emphasis that I focused on for 2011, and I have decided to keep the list the same for 2012.

  1. CRM – Yes, CRM!  So many have still not embraced using an integrated CRM system.  Admittedly, the so called “integrations” have not been that well, well…. “integrated”!  However, this is no longer the case.  Take a look, you will be impressed!
     
  2. Document Management – Until just a couple of years ago, I didn’t give this much thought let alone any attention.  There are many areas that a fully implemented document management system can cover.  Start simple!  Focus on one or two basic processes in your organization that required paper flow and approvals.  Accounts Payable invoices are a good place to start.  Scan, review, approve, integrate to accounting, and file electronically.  There’s a lot more to this than that, but the ROI is very real with these systems.  Take a look; you will understand the value very quickly!
     
  3. Business Intelligence – Yup, seems like an oxymoron, but it’s not supposed to be.  Now, I am one of those folks that believe Excel is the greatest program ever written since the beginning of man!  However, if you are completely caught up in the world of Excel calisthenics for reporting, KPI’s, charts and dashboards, then you either need therapy or a basic business intelligence software package, or both!
     
  4. The “Cloud” – I have spent a significant amount of time over the last 2 years trying to understand and apply cloud technology to small and medium sized businesses.  I recently learned how the cloud got the name “cloud”.  I’ll save that for my next blog post.  Here’s the deal.  If applying a “cloud” based system doesn’t save you money, then don’t do it!

Feel free to contact me on any of the above.  Strategic discussions and meetings do not occur often enough.  And, blogging is not something I ever saw myself doing, but an occasional post will be forthcoming.  I am an introvert after all!