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Getting Started with
Cloud Computing
Josh Rubens
Table of Contents
Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Making the Case for Cloud Computing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Critical Considerations for IT Infrastructure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Choosing the Right Cloud Computing Provider. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
About the Author . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

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Ziff Davis | White Paper | Getting Started with Cloud Computing
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Introduction
Cloud computing is an increasingly important component of the business and IT strategies for
businesses of all types and sizes. In many cases, cloud computing is essential to cutting costs,
providing more advanced services, and remaining competitive. However, understanding the
business case for cloud computing is just the beginning. Beyond the basic considerations, it
is also critical to ensure that the organizations existing IT infrastructure is properly prepared
to address the demands of a cloud computing solution. Additionally, decision makers must be
aware of how to evaluate and choose the right cloud computing provider. This report, from the
combined editorial and expert community resources of Toolbox.com, provides an overview of
the business case and primary considerations for cloud computing solutions.
Making the Case for Cloud Computing
If you are managing the IT function at a smaller company, youve already got a lot of
challenges. Youre competing not just with local business, but businesses around the world.
The cost of IT infrastructure and software means you cant always provide the same services
as often larger companies with more IT resources. Fortunately, cloud computing can level the
playing eld in for all types of organizations in at least four key categories.
1. Cloud computing cuts your costs
For a growing business, connecting to the cloud is ideal. Immediately your
expenditure on hardware and software is greatly reduced. If you access a hosted
service online, you no longer need to worry about software upgrades or the latest
patch or service pack, it is all taken care of, in most cases, in a simple monthly fee.
Cloud computing also means you can access many applications that are generally
cost prohibitive in a smaller environment. This means you can give your customers
more.
2. You can nd the people you need
Finding and managing people can be one of the most challenging and costly
aspects of providing goods and services. Many growing businesses can operate
like a larger business by placing their IT function in the cloud. Accessing your
company IT resources remotely means you can hire people in New Zealand,
Singapore or wherever the best person for the job is located. Managing them
remotely is innitely easier with a shared workspace, and you can operate like a
multinational at a fraction of the cost.
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Ziff Davis | White Paper | Getting Started with Cloud Computing
3. You can collaborate
Many different types of businesses have already realized how they can work
better with partners by connecting to the cloud. Being able to gain access on
remote sites, or building solutions that enable other businesses to work in your
space is ideal for organizations that work with clients across locations on collab-
orative projects. It saves time, money and sweat.
4. You can pick a solution that ts you
Whatever Cloud Service you need, from entry level services like data storage and
website and application hosting to more purpose-built and complex applications
for managing sales, nances and other core tasks, IT can build solutions that
closely align with their business.
The best approach is to rst understand the needs of the business to determine the best
solutions and build relationships with qualied vendors who can help nd the right t for your
companys needs today and into the future.
CriticalConsiderations for IT Infrastructure
As an IT manager, you would know that most IT functions work on a cycle of renewing
infrastructure and services every few years. Whether it happens every three, four, or ve years
this opportunity to refresh your environment can be challenging. But it is also an ideal time to
re-architect your IT infrastructure. This means you can be prepared for a migration to cloud
services in the following 3-5 year cycle. The following is a brief overview of the common
problems you might be experiencing when your IT environment is nearing the end of its
refresh cycle:
Aging infrastructure is no longer able to meet performance needs of the business
Explosive data growth makes it difcult to backup data
Running out of storage space
Limited Disaster Recovery (DR) and no site-based DR capabilities
In some cases, moving some services to the Cloud with existing, outdated infrastructures may
not be an option and trying to remediate an environment while migrating to the cloud is not
advisable. It is critical to update your infrastructure before considering cloud services because
problems on-premise will only be magnied in the cloud. What is needed is a new approach;
one which considered the exibility to include Cloud based services in the future but only
after the completion of an infrastructure refresh.
Planning and delivering the seamless roll out of new platforms to all parts of the business
begins with a solid strategy to boost storage online and include a more responsive Disaster
Recovery capability which may include the following rst steps toward cloud computing:
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Ziff Davis | White Paper | Getting Started with Cloud Computing
A new a VMware upgrade, using V-sphere 5.0
A centralized highly available Exchange 2010 solution
Utilization of EMC VNX5300 SAN hardware
An upgraded Commvault backup and Archiving solution
A new communication network environment for remote access and Virtual desktop and
application delivery
These specic upgrades enable businesses to centralize services across their organizations.
Remote access means that staff can access data and applications from anywhere and on
any device, saving time and enabling them to more closely align with the actual needs of their
business.
The VMware upgrade also means that applications can be consolidated onto fewer physical
servers which means cost savings through reduced hardware.
Apart from the obvious benets of the renewal of IT hardware and software services, this type
of forward thinking allows you to consider the next stage of renewal. You can also consider
moving to cloud-based services during the coming refresh cycle, not at the end in two, three,
or even four years into the future.
If your IT offerings are nearing the end of their normal life cycle, seek qualied advice on what
approach is right for you. It could be an upgrade, a move to cloud services, or a combination of
both.
Choosing the Right Cloud Computing Provider
When it comes to migrating to the cloud, its only natural to consider the biggest and best
when making a decision. But, as businesses ock to the cloud, its becoming increasingly
clear that cloud specialists are delivering far superior and better-tailored solutions than their
more commercial competitors. Frankly, commercial giants are still busy guring out what the
cloud means to their business to deliver real cloud solutions.
The giants know that cloud hosting and solutions are the future but theyre not there yet.
Some members of the industry are still nervous and indecisive about their take on the cloud. I
T managers dont nd relying on bigger companies for cloud solutions appealing. It is
after all an era of tailor-made cloud solutions solutions that can manage complex cloud
environments and help organizations in migrating to the cloud in the most effective way. It is
therefore essential that any company considering migration to the cloud speaks to a specialist
that can build a exible, tailored solution.
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About Ziff Davis
Ziff Davis, Inc. is a leading digital media company specializing in the technology market, reaching over 40 million highly engaged in-market
buyers and inuencers every month. Ziff Davis sites, which feature trusted and comprehensive evaluations of the newest, hottest products,
and the most advanced ad targeting platform. Ziff Davis B2B is a leading provider of online research to enterprise buyers and high-quality
leads to IT vendors. More information on Ziff Davis can be found at ziffdavis.com.
About Toolbox.com
The Toolbox.com network of online communities enables anyone to access the collective knowledge of a worldwide audience of experienced
professionals. Through Toolbox.com, executives and professionals can collaborate with their peers to resolve problems more efciently, make
better decisions by leveraging best practices and lessons learned, and increase their efciency in the workplace.
Ziff Davis | White Paper | Getting Started with Cloud Computing
Take the time to speak with prospective providers and gain a better understanding of what
the right cloud solution will mean for your business. By aligning with the right vendor, you will
be able to build solutions based around your needs, not just the services they provide.
Conclusion
Cloud computing is good for business but also requires the proper amount of due diligence.
By understanding what you need to cut costs on infrastructure, empower collaboration, and
provide even more advanced services, you stand a better chance of a successful move to the
cloud. It is also important to understand the limitations of your existing infrastructure and how
to best provide the foundation for an effective cloud deployment. Now more than ever it is
critical to choose the right provider who will guide you through the necessary upgrades and
provide a custom cloud solution for your particular business. By taking the time to consider
your limitations, evaluate your options, and choosing the right partner, youll be able to build a
competitive advantage.
About the Author
Josh Rubens has been working in the IT industry for over 10 years and has been in
leadership roles for over 15 years. Most recently Josh was the Sales Director of a highly
successful IT Infrastructure services company. In his time at this consulting rm Josh lead the
effort to grow this organisation over 1700% in a four year period. As an individual who values
innovation that provides real business benets. Josh is extremely passionate about Cloud and
wants to help clients on their journey during these times of change.
www.cloudsolutionsgroup.com.au
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