Cloud Computing for the SMB: What can it do for you? :Cloud Computing for the SMB: What can it do for you? Presented by: Laura Schneider 1


Overview :Overview What is Cloud Computing? What can utilizing the cloud do for your business? Why should you take advantage of the power of the cloud? What about privacy and security? What’s available? How do I get started? Questions 2


What is Cloud Computing? :What is Cloud Computing? 3


Is it this? :Is it this? 4


Is it this? :Is it this? 5


Tim O’Reilly, Founder & CEO of O’Reilly Media :Tim O’Reilly, Founder & CEO of O’Reilly Media 6


Cloud computing is nothing more than using the existing power of the Internet to host software applications and store information. :Cloud computing is nothing more than using the existing power of the Internet to host software applications and store information. 7


What can utilizing the cloud do for your business? :What can utilizing the cloud do for your business? 8


Save You Money! :Save You Money! 9


Leveraging the cloud can save you money :Leveraging the cloud can save you money Reduce hardware and software requirements Reduce capital expenditures by purchasing software as a service Reduce the need for a multi million dollar IT infrastructure in order to compete in the marketplace Make you more agile by allowing you to increase or decrease your computing needs on the fly 10


Why should you take advantage of the power of the cloud? :Why should you take advantage of the power of the cloud? 11


Cloud computing levels the playing field :Cloud computing levels the playing field Get the same security and reliability as competing enterprises without a multi-million dollar IT budget The cloud offers more cutting edge applications than the enterprise “Simply put, today's most powerful and most innovative technology is no longer found in the enterprise.” Fredric Paul, Information week 12


But what about security and privacy? :But what about security and privacy? Be wary of anything free Stay away from consumer products and go with offerings designed for business Read the fine print to make sure the company is not allowed to sell, mine or otherwise use your data Make sure everything is password protected 13


What kinds of applications and services are available? :What kinds of applications and services are available? Email Human Resources Project Management CRM Office Applications Backup Storage 14


OK, I’m interested. Now What? :OK, I’m interested. Now What? 15


Determine your needs and do your homework :Determine your needs and do your homework Where are you expecting that you need to expand IT in the next year, two years, five years Research offerings in those areas Jump in and try it 16


Summary :Summary What is Cloud Computing? What can utilizing the cloud do for your business? Why should you take advantage of the power of the cloud? What about privacy and security? What’s available? Now What? 17


Thank You! :Thank You! Questions? 18