Unified Communications: Top 3 Things You Need To Know

I recently heard a client speak about his vision for creating a collaborative organization.   On his mind was surely more than just communications, but he understood the challenge of creating such an enterprise and also understood the benefits.  What separates the dreamers from the doers is that they know it will take a systematic approach to setup their company with the right infrastructure to support such a vision.  This particular client understood that better than most. 

If you want to move toward a connected enterprise you'll have some work to do.  We share our thoughts on three broad areas of focus: 

#1 - The Network:  You can't build up without a foundation.  You can't put together a serious UC effort without the right network in place.  This network must support voice, video and of course the rest of your critical business applications.  Want a connected global enterprise?  If so, then latency, jitter and packet loss will be constantly on your mind if you have failed to properly build a network to support your technology.  Don't lose sight of what matters in this regard, it is all about performance across the network. 



#2 - The Technology:  Your choices will seem limitless.  Will you build your own or buy as a service?  Will you adopt all of what UC has to offer or take small bites at a time?  People underestimate the power of a good UC deployment.  For example, what would a video call between two employees really do for your company?  Well for one, a lot of research supports the idea that people listen more intently when video is involved.  It also creates a more intimate communication, which can help foster good working relationships.  I'm sure if you put your mind to it, you can think of how video would offer other benefits to your company.  What used to be an expensive undertaking is much more affordable today, the only thing that stops organizations from creating a UC environment is will power, not money. 

#3 - The Culture:  Change is easy, everyone knows that.  If you've been in management or IT long enough I'm sure you can appreciate the heavy sarcasm of that statement.  We need to go on a bit of a tangent here and talk about the new role for IT.  "Do more with less" is a constant for IT, but that seems to be changing in our estimation.  The new role is not one of "hey, this is broken can you fix it?" It's not "listen, I found this software, can you get it up and running for my department in a couple of weeks?"  Ok, sure, those things still happen, but we're seeing a shift toward the realization that technology is an engine that makes a company go.  The smarter and more efficient that engine, the better its resources will be used.   IT is at the heart of that, and a good IT executive finds a way to not just deliver solutions internally but to be a part of crafting them.  Proactively sitting down with other departments or even going to the line-level to understand the user experience is both impressive internally but also quite helpful in making decisions.  We recommend that IT people be part of changing the culture in an organization and not just reacting to it.  UC is a great way to start because you can get a sense of how departments communicate and ask them to help you find the benefits of UC.  Chances are that the insights gained by your internal conversations will help you find the best source of technology. 

Jitter, Packet Loss & Latency

Let's start with a layman's understanding of what they are:

Packet Loss - A "packet" is simply a packet of data (bytes) that travels across a network.  Let's use a highway analogy to best explain this:  Imagine that you have highway where cars can travel from say Boston to New York.  Some cars will leave Boston and never make it to NY, and that can also happen to packets in your network.  Any good public highway official will want ALL cars to make it unharmed to the destination, and that is also true of network professionals who want their network to deliver 100% of all packets, which essentially means no loss whatsoever.   

Latency - Everyone understands bandwidth but latency is just as (if not more) important.  For example, would you rather have a 10 lane highway that has stop and go traffic every two miles?  Or would you rather have a two lane highway where you can go 80 mph all of the time?  Bandwidth is the number of lanes, but latency is how fast your packets can travel across the network.  If your network has too much latency, your data will travel slowly and your experience will be degraded.

Jitter - Jitter is a measurement of how consistent the latency is on the network.  For example, in the 10 lane highway analogy, if some cars make it from Boston to New York in just 3 hours, while others make it in 5, and yet others in 10, then you would have an inconsistent delivery time of those cars.  The same is true for packets and in an ideal world, all packets traverse the network at the same speed and arrive at the same rate.  The rate of variance of this timing is calculated as jitter. 

So why do these things matter?  Well for starters, a great deal of what we do everyday at work is contingent upon a few basic things:
 
1) We need software applications to run smoothly and respond quickly to our commands
2) We need access to our files quickly and with ease
3) We need to be able to communicate through either a clear sounding phone call, or for the more advanced among us, an immersive unified communications experience that includes video. 
4) The longer it takes us to perform tasks that require computing or communication, the harder it is for us to get our work done. As a result, our productivity, and consequently our company's profits, suffer for it.   

Information technology and communication tools are almost hygienic in nature, we simply require them to do the grander work that our jobs compel us to do.  We only notice their absence when they aren't working properly for us. Packet loss, latency and jitter all impact those items listed above. 

So what can you do about it?  Easy, make sure you have a solid network with a service level agreement that commits to acceptable levels of packet loss, jitter and latency that are within the tolerance level of the applications and communication tools you're using or plan to deploy.

But how do you make sure that you have the right network?  This one should be so obvious we are almost afraid to answer it, but of course not wanting to miss a chance for shameless self-promotion we can't pass it up:  Call Stellis Technology Advisors, we can help. 

Your MPLS Network: Top 3 Reasons Why Performance is More Important than Ever

In the past, many business executives felt that connectivity was nothing more than a commodity, to be purchased from the lowest cost provider with the most (bandwidth) to offer for the money.

That sentiment isn't completely gone but the performance of your MPLS network and/or Internet connection matters now more than it ever has before (and that trend is only going to continue).  Here are the top 3 reasons why:  

1.  Virtualization is Everywhere. Enterprises are building their own private cloud, small to mid-size companies are leveraging the "as a service" model and what does that all mean?  Your network is a critical link that will mean the difference between the success or failure of a cloud strategy.  So to sum this up: just about everything you need to function properly in the workplace requires a performing network connection. 

2. The Internet of Everything.  Cisco coined the term but it isn't just your properietary software or data that your users need to work properly.  They need access to the world wide web of information and while the Internet may not be a new phenemonenon, what was once an important productivity tool is now a critical need for most companies.   Put simply, how well would you function if you had no access to the Internet?

3. Video, Voice, Critical Applications - So you're an IT professional and you have to manage the convergence of data, voice, video etc.  I bet you thought that was a question didn't you?  It's not, it's a fact.  It would be nice if you had a network that could properly prioritize those functions and make sure "everything works" the way your management and critical busines units need it to.  How well your network performs and your next employment review are inextricably tied together.  So yes, it would be nice if that network functioned the way you need it to.

It is important to remember that the amount of bandwidth you have, while important, is not a measure of network performance.  Latency, jitter, packet loss and of course the tools needed to manage your network and dynmically make changes are of equal importance. 

Cloud (Hosted) VoIP vs. On-Premise IP PBX - Which is better?

Although hosted/cloud communications have gained widespread market acceptance, and most of the major manufacturers of PBX equipment are also moving their offering to a "cloud-based" solution, there is still a fundamental choice that each business must make:  Buy an on-premise PBX or buy communications as a service / Hosted VoIP system?

We go round for round to determine which approach is best:

Round 1: The power is out or the local internet connection is down: which approach keeps your business up and running? 

On-Premise - Internal calls still work (only if the PBX is on backup power) but connection to the outside world is lost.  Incoming callers hear fast busy but the main # of the business can be re-routed to cell phones / other numbers via the phone company.  Employees cannot take phones home or to satellite locations nor can they re-route their individual extension to their cell phone. 

Hosted - Internal calls will not work at the site but incoming callers will get to voicemail or be re-routed to cell phones, including individual extensions for each employee.  Employees can take their phone home or use a soft phone to retain full functionality if the outage persists, which creates a natural business continuity plan. 

Winner of Round 1:  We give the clear edge here to Hosted, both because there is more flexibility to re-route all calls and also because there is a long-term continuity solution if the outage is more permanent. 

Round 2:  Which approach offers more features / benefits?

On-Premise - The devil is in the details.  There are some very good PBXs that have features that are world-class and can integrate with a company's CRM or other software.  Like everything else, you get what you pay for and advanced features cost money.   Upgrading to new features may cost more money in the future or require more hardware which can be both expensive and a hassle to implement. 

Hosted - Again, it depends on the details.  Some hosted companies are "one size fits all" and offer adequate features but very little customization.  Other providers are highly customizable and can integrate their features with CRM or other software.  Upgrading features is usually standard as the provider evolves their offering (typically requiring no investment on the customer's part) . 

Winner of Round 2:  Slight win for Hosted but with one caveat:  for some specific scenarios there are PBXs that may be a better fit.  This is quickly changing as high-end cloud providers are filling in the gaps.  For 95% of the marketplace, Hosted offers same or better features and because those features evolve and get better with time we give the win to Hosted for this round.

Round 3: Which is more affordable? 

On-Premise - Certainly the model is different for premise-based PBXs.  These typically require an capital expense, significant installation fees and then a vendor maintenance contract that covers adds/moves/changes etc.  Most business decision makers don't love the idea of writing a big check for phone equipment but they see it as an investment and can of course use that phone system for years to come with only the monthly cost of vendor maintenance and phone services. 

Hosted - Most hosted models have little or no upfront costs and instead charge a "per user/phone" cost each month.  This typically means that the monthly costs are higher than a premise-based PBX, although in some cases this may not be true.  Hosted VoIP completely replaces vendor maintenance, phone service costs and of course the capital expense. 

Winner of Round 3:  Give the edge here to Hosted.  Like all "cost" analysis, one must look carefully at the details.  Apples for apples, hosted wins for two reasons:  1) the TCO (Total cost of ownership) is lower when you do the full analysis and 2) the costs are variable and can expand / contract with the changing needs of customer. 

There are other factors to consider:  quality of service/support, individual feature offerings, the tax implications of moving from capex to opex--but on the whole, the hosted model is winning the battle.  Perhaps this is why most premise-based manufacturers are quickly changing their business model to become cloud-based.

Careful analysis is always required before making any decision.  This should include a TCO analysis, a feature match up, an examination of future considerations and of course the philosophy of the customer should be taken into account.  Do they value owning hardware?  Do they prefer to have a "service provider" they can migrate away from if the solution isn't keeping pace with their need? 

The above is an informed opinion on the part of Stellis Technology Advisors.  We welcome your opinions and feedback. 

You may delay, but time will not - Benjamin Franklin

The truth is that organizations are moving their technology into the "cloud" for a lot of good reasons .  If your organization is the last one on the train...well let's just say you'll be fighting the battle with a sword while your peers are hanging out with the guy who helped them get the machine gun.

And on the subject of time:  The most important thing that we do at Stellis is that we save our clients precious time.  Time they can better spend on other matters.   Our value proposition is a simple one:  We deliver to you "best of breed" cloud and telecom solutions and our industry perspective means that you'll get the best pricing from innovative providers who can truly benefit your company.  

Cloud Overview

Sometimes I forget that other people don't eat, sleep and breath cloud and telecom services like I do.  So what is this cloud thing all about?  Why the rush to cloud solutions and why now?  

Organizations seek to maximize value and minimize cost.  They move technology away from an on-premise approach and into a cloud environment because the economics make sense and the benefits gained are compelling.  For most companies, at least some (if not all) cloud technologies are adding up to big benefits and they're seeing a lower TCO (Total Cost of Ownership). 

What is a "Cloud" Service? 

When it comes to technology for your company you can either build it yourself or you can buy it from someone who has already built it.  A cloud provider has significantly more infrastructure because of their size and they typically have the level of redundancy that most organizations cannot build on their own.  So why build it all yourself when you can get better performance and more up-time, especially if it comes at a lower cost?  Why devote capital to software when you can move that into an operating expense that is both affordable and scalable?  A cloud service means you're not buying servers or phone systems or software, you're buying a "service" that meets your dynamic and changing needs.   

Build vs. Buy Analogy:

Andrew Pryfogle, industry expert and thought-leader in the cloud space, uses a great analogy to help explain the build vs. buy aspect of what a cloud service really is.   Imagine you need to fly from the east coast to the west.  You have two basic choices, you can build a plane from the ground up or you can buy a few seats on someone else's plane.   Both options get you to your destination so how do you choose the one that is right for you?  Clearly the benefits of both have to be weighed by the costs right?  Again, why build your technology from the ground up when you can simply just "buy a few seats on a plane" from a top notch cloud provider?   We're not saying that you should never build.  Sometimes it does make sense to build your own plane but without a doubt one should carefully consider the build vs. buy decision.  

The Four Categories of Cloud Services:

IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service) - Servers, Data Center Needs, Online Storage & Backup.  

This is where a lot of companies find their entry-point into the cloud.  Do you bother to replace that end of life server or simply move that infrastructure need into a data center with either a public, private or hybrid cloud approach?  

SaaS (Software as a Service) - CRM, Document Management, Office Suites etc.  

Almost everything is moving to a "SaaS" approach.  Why spend money on a license that you may not need in a year when you can buy a "service" that expands or contracts based on your dynamic needs?  Not to mention that you may not want to be tied to a particular software for a long period of time.  SaaS gives your organization choices and mitigates the risk of being stuck with a technology you may not want or an investment you cannot get back.  

CaaS (Communications as a Service) - Hosted Phone Systems, Contact / Call Center Solutions, Unified Communications, Video, Mobility

Everyone wants their workforce to stay connected and a cloud-based communications approach is perhaps the simplest and most effective way to make that happen.

ITaaS (IT as a Service) - Virtual Desktop, Hosted Exchange, Hosted Sharepoint, Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity, Managed Services

Organizations are rethinking the way they approach IT.  One thing is for sure, IT professionals are finding that instead of spending their time on all-night upgrades or fixing a slow laptop, they're able to spend more time focused on helping their organizational leverage innovative technologies.  Instead of being bogged down with break/fix issues all day they are able to stay proactive and ahead of the curve.  Instead of being seen as a "cost" to the organization they are seen as vital to revenue generation and strategy.  Cloud solutions don't replace good IT professionals, they actually help make IT even more prominent in the organization.  

Feedback

For thoughts or feedback on this overview please feel free to e-mail me at rwilliams@stellistechnology.com   

Where Would You Rather Be at 4am?

This post is all about how important IT people are, but not for the reasons you might think...

I have a friend who works in IT for a mid-size company.  He got the 4am phone call this morning from the boss asking him to come to work to help troubleshoot their mail server.  Sound familiar?  

Almost every IT professional will tell you that they would rather spend time with their family, friends or spouse (or would rather sleep once in a while).  Far too often you'll find the overtired IT person working hard to get that mail server (or whatever else is broken) back up and running.  That's just one example of what keeps our clients up at night or missing their nephews birthday party.

Imagine a world where....

• IT Directors focus on strategic technology needs, not on fixing what's broken or begging for money in the budget 
• The IT group is seen by upper management to be vital to revenue generation rather than a "cost" to the organization
• The IT group increases its prominence in the organization while simultaneously finding a way to work a normal schedule where things break less often and all-night sessions are few and far between.  

You aren't important because you're willing to be up at 4am.  You're important because technology is the engine of every business and you are the technologists that "get it."   As the world transitions to a new model for managing and implementing technology, we believe that this is perhaps the best opportunity for IT professionals to truly get the credit they deserve.

Disaster Recovery & Business Continuity

Does any topic get people more excited than planning for the time when your business is severely (or even mildly) disrupted by unforeseen events?

Actually we're being a little sarcastic. A lot of business managers are focused on getting through the day and have little interest in really thinking hard about this subject.  We all get it, one crisis at a time right?  Well here are three reasons why you should think about the subject right now:

1. Disruptions to your business will hurt you badly and you know it. You will regret it dearly if you haven't planned for it
2. Tape or online data backups are nice, but how quickly will you really be back up?  Do you really think that your current practices are going to get you back online quickly?  How much would it hurt you if you were struggling or limping along for weeks?  
3. Technology options today offer what you need for true disaster recovery / business continuity and the cost is reasonable (and often lower)

So if you were offered a virtual "insurance policy" that would keep you up and running during a crisis but wouldn't cost you more money, or one that might even save you money, wouldn't you take it?  

The "Cloud" is here to stay.  The most innovative companies are using cloud technologies to make their business better but many are benefiting from the built-in continuity of the cloud model.  Consider these benefits:

• Cloud solutions like hosted phone systems, hosted call center / cloud communications, virtual desktop, infrastructure as a service (dedicated and virtual servers) etc are all purposefully provided out of redundant data centers that are geographically diverse. Put simply, they are a lot less likely to be hard down and have the redundancy needed in the event of a major catastrophe.  

• Right now, if disaster strikes your office(s) and your critical hardware is damaged, what is your plan?  Will you have to replace hardware, rebuild all of it from scratch and then load up your backed up data and hope that you can fill in the gaps of what is missing?  Would you internal IT resources or outsourced managed IT company have the resources to do this quickly in a crisis?   In a cloud environment, your only concern is connecting to your critical applications / hardware.  This means that you just need to find a working Internet connection as opposed to rebuilding your technology from the ground up.  This cuts weeks of time off the "recovery" side of the equation and makes continuity a lot more likely. 

• It's a selling point for you.  Wouldn't your customers like to know that your operation is setup to continue operating or to recover quickly in the event of a disruption?  If they're relying on you, and you're relying on your technology, then logic dictates that you had better have access to your technology so you can keep your promises to your customers.  

• Cloud technologies typically have the same or lower cost than your current practices.  While only a true analysis can prove that out (which we can help with) it certainly makes sense to think about being prepared when it likely might save you money at the same time.  

So what are the drawbacks of redundancy and continuity options?  We're always very honest with our customers at Stellis but we haven't yet come up with a reason to dislike being prepared, especially when the benefits of cloud technologies go well beyond just this subject.  Make sure however that you're getting the "right" kind of service from your cloud provider.  Like anything else, the details of how this is all put together make a big difference.  We can help you with that.

Five Secrets About Cloud Technology

Now that I've got your attention....

Secret #1 - Big companies have been using a "cloud" approach for years.  Only recently has the technology become available to mid-size companies (and smaller).   There are many reasons for this, including access to bandwidth and the fact that companies prefer to buy technology "as a service" now instead of big capital spends on hardware/software that may not work for them in the long-term.   So if nothing is new about the cloud, why are some people afraid to utilize it? 

Secret #2 - Some of your fears are justified.  Not all "cloud" providers are the same.  Some are quite terrible.  Some are excellent and there are many in-between.   Any change you make should be well thought out. Our advice:  don't fear the cloud because it offers you tremendous benefits, just be smart about how you utilize it.  

Secret #3 - Worries about secure voice / data in the cloud are a little overblown, kind of.  The devil is always in the details but consider this: is your server infrastructure or phone system really that much more secure in that computer room in the back of your office that has no redundancy for power, climate control, or has the physical security of a locked door?  Did you know most thefts of data come from within a company?   Wouldn't it be better if your hardware was in a secure data center run by experts whose livelihood depends upon keeping your service secure for you?  Keep in mind that there are ways to enhance security in the cloud and you absolutely must work with providers who know how to do this properly.  

Secret #4 - The government may want your data and you should always remain in control of it.  The Patriot Act gives the government the power to request your private data no matter where it resides.  Google recently posted in their blog about the number of requests for data they've been fielding.  So what can you do about it?  First of all, if the government wants your data they'll come for it one way or the other but you can be "in control" of it even if you decide to put it in the cloud.  It's your data and the providers we work with give you the power to control it which means the government has to come to you first before they can gain access.  

Secret #5 - The term "cloud" is prolific and many business mangers don't really understand what it means.   It sounds more intimidating than it really is and there are a lot of ways to learn about the revolution that is happening in telecom / IT, not the least of which would be to contact Stellis Technology Advisors for some guidance.  

Top 3 Reasons to Consider Virtual Desktop

For those that are not aware, virtual desktop (as a service) will transform how businesses manage their employees' computing needs.  So what is it exactly?  VDI (Virtual Desktop Interface) is a cloud solution that takes what you know as your "desktop" away from your local PC and puts it in the cloud.  Your local computer is transformed into a much less important device that simply views your desktop which sits on a secure server in the cloud.    If you're still scratching your head don't feel bad, it takes time to fully grasp what this whole "cloud" thing is really all about.  Part of our job at Stellis is to explain it in greater detail.

So as promised, we've come up with the top three reasons to consider moving your company to a virtual desktop solution.  Please note we said "consider" because we're not suggesting that this solution is for every situation, but where it works it works very well and the benefits are tremendous:

#1: Fewer problems, fewer headaches -  When was the last time you had a six month stretch without a computer problem?  When they get bad enough you're pretty much at a standstill aren't you?  Wouldn't it be better if you had fewer problems and therefore had fewer interruptions to your (or your employees) important work? VDI offers more stability which means less user downtime.  You know better than anyone how much it costs you when an employee is sitting around waiting for their PC to be fixed.

#2:  Easier fixes, more productivity - So we just got done telling you that you'll have fewer issues but we're not saying it's flawless.  You're still running software and have a unique computing environment so nothing is perfect, but in a VDI world fixing any issue is infinitely easier because the "computer" you're working off is centralized.  Your administrator (or the solution provider's help desk) can easily rebuild a desktop in 20 minutes and that would be the most extreme fix required.

#3 Lower cost - If you care about the idea of saving money then you'll like the fact that the total cost of ownership is much lower.  Consider all the costs of your IT needs and how often you have to refresh your employees' PCs/Laptops.  It's no small sum is it?  Those costs decrease dramatically in a VDI world.  We'd like to also point out that your internal IT staff can focus less on fixing things and focus more on proactive technology improvements which have a more strategic impact on your business.

There are many other reasons to consider virtual desktop for your business and also a few reasons to pause and ask important questions.  At Stellis we don't start with a conclusion and work our way to it; we go through an evaluation process with you and determine together whether this or other cloud / telecom technologies are a good fit for your organization.

Spare me your verbal promises, put it in an SLA.

We've all heard it.  "Our network has 99.999% up-time  or "we respond to troubles day or night," but in the end what good do those words do us?

They all mean well and no doubt they believe it but any assertion made by a telecom provider should be backed up by a Service Level Agreement (SLA) that demonstrates consequences when those promises are not kept. 

At Stellis we make sure our clients have SLAs with teeth.  For example, one of our carrier partners offers global commitments that are very aggressive for reduced jitter and latency.  For companies running global private networks with converged voice, video and data these commitments are a critical.  A provider's network might be clean and well balanced today, but what keeps them honest?  How can you be sure they won't oversubscribe and have the service you initially singed up for degraded each time they acquire new clients?   SLAs make providers stay true to their word and it helps protect you for the long term.   

Is the "Cloud" Right for Your Business?

First of all, you would not be alone nor considered ignorant if you had no idea what the "cloud" is. The concept of putting mission critical applications / technologies in a secure, centralized data center is nothing new.  What has changed however is the approach that providers are taking and the "as a service" model has revolutionized the way companies procure the technology they need to stay competitive.  For now, let us examine the "old" way of doing things vs. the "new" way to help gain clarity on what this whole "cloud" thing is really about:  

The Old Way

• Servers are kept on-premise, usually in a company's server or telco room
• Company server rooms typically lack redundant power, proper climate control or sophisticated security measures
• Servers are managed by internal staff or a third-party that is off-site.  
• PCs have software and operating systems that are local to the machine
• PC problems are usually require IT staff to fix them on-site which can be inefficient and create a loss of employee productivity 
• PBX (phone system) is kept on-premise, usually in a company's server or telco room
• PBX requires a vendor contract and either an internal staff member or a third-party is required to perform adds / moves / changes
• Loss of phone service or power means downtime resulting in incoming calls hearing a busy signal
• New hardware needs to be purchased every 3 years (servers) and 5-7 years (phone)
• Technology obsolescence begins the day of purchase
• Costs are typically CAPEX and harder to budget 

The New Way (using "the cloud")

• Servers are moved into a data center or "virtualized" in a data center, which has redundant power, proper climate control and physical security measures
• Server resources are provided "as a service" and resources are scalable to meet current needs
• Company's cede control of hardware maintenance to the cloud provider but can retain control of their proprietary data / software environment.  
• Company's employees can utilize a "virtual desktop" environment, whereby they greatly reduce the dependence on their PC which leads to less downtime
• Virtual desktop is still managed by the company's IT professionals but can be done so in a centralized way that leads to more proactive efforts and less "break/fix" activity
• PBX functionality is moved into the data center and provided on a "hosted" basis
• Loss of local power or connectivity does not lead to incoming busy signals. Calls can be routed anywhere from the hosted provider leading to better disaster recovery planning / continuity options
• Technology obsolescence is non-existent in the cloud, as features improve the provider pushes those improvements to their customers.  
• Costs are moved from CAPEX to OPEX

If it hasn't struck you already, it would appear that the new way improves up-time,  performance and is ultimately a lower total cost, especially when considering the reduction in lost business from downtime.  So what's the catch?  The new way puts a lot more control in the hands of the cloud provider.  They're responsible for so much of what you depend upon to conduct business.  Not all cloud providers are created equal and the devil is truly in the details. 

It may also surprise you to learn that bigger companies have been creating their own "cloud" for decades which is why this is not truly a new concept.  The recent cloud revolution is really a result of making the benefits of centralized computing / communications available to businesses in the mid-market category.  This helps level the playing field and gives the companies that aren't Fortune 100 a competitive advantage that is otherwise reserved for those who have the economy of scale to afford the infrastructure. 

There are some reasons why the cloud might not make sense for you.  You may have concerns about how your data is stored and the security that surrounds that data.  You may need to continue to keep your servers at your premise because of connectivity issues.  Cloud computing works for most, but not all PC users and you may have a few unique situations that need to be examined.  When it comes to cloud communications, there are so many reasons to put that into the cloud (and so very few not to) and that is a topic we'll explore in great detail in future posts. 

Our message to you is a simple one,it is definitely worth your time to take a look at the "cloud,"  The improvements it can offer your business are transformative and we've only scratched the surface on that in this post.  On the flip side, it requires a cautious examination and is not something to jump head first into without going through a proper evaluation.  Your business is unique so let someone who understands the technology help you figure out if it is right for you.