Glasgow Business . 35
www.glasgowchamberofcommerce.com
CLOUD COMPUTING AND VIRTUALISATION
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While the idea behind cloud computing is far from new (in fact, it arguably predates the concept of
‘desktop’ computing) it has found a new relevance in today’s business world of multiple devices, mobility and big data. In the narrowest sense, the cloud allows businesses to move various IT functions, such as email, content management and storage, to third-party providers, cutting out the cost, time and heartache often associated with in-house provision.
This can bring a host of other related
benefits, such as transforming capital expenditure on hardware and software upgrades into a rolling subscription cost. But, beyond these basic outsourcing
arguments, the cloud concept can enable a more fundamental shift in the way businesses respond to change and view their use of IT. The key change arrived around five years
ago, with the introduction of simple, cheap ‘virtualisation’ technology. In a nutshell, virtualisation allows computer power to be shared fluidly between individual pieces of server hardware. This allows providers of outsourced IT
services to offer clients as much or as little computing power as they need from moment to moment, resulting in services which respond seamlessly to the inevitable peaks and troughs in demand. With hundreds or thousands of clients transparently sharing the resources of an entire datacentre, providers have been able to increase efficiency and reduce costs to the point where ordinary small businesses can access enterprise-grade IT. But not all cloud services are created equal,
and it’s important for businesses to find a solution which matches their needs. For a start, it is important to remember that cloud-based services won’t work (or at least not fully) without an internet connection, so sorting out a reliable link which offers good speeds upstream and down is essential. Second, while there are many excellent
free cloud services on offer – including Google’s productivity suite, Microsoft 365, Dropbox and many others – it is always important to read the fine print. For example, businesses handling personal or sensitive client data may want to look at the implications of using a service whose datacentres are outwith the EU. Even among paid-for services, it is a good
idea to check out the provider’s security credentials – are they certified to ISO 27001, for example – and ask what service level agreement they offer. There are solutions out there to suit every
pocket and every size of business. With a little research and often minimal investment, cloud computing can revolutionise your IT provision.
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