Cloud Archives - DNA IT Solutions

Tag Archives: Cloud

News

How can Cloud help my Business?

Posted on by Sean Lucas
How can cloud help my Business DNA IT Solutions
02
Jan

Are you planning your business strategy for this year?  This is the time of year that we look back at what kind of year the business has had and consider what improvements can be made.  We also then take a view of where we would like to be in 12 months’ time and try to put a plan in place to get there.

Planning Ahead

You may now be looking at cloud as an option for your business but are unsure of the costs and time involved.  The good news is that cloud allows you the flexibility to take what you need and only pay for what you use.  The beauty of being able to scale up or down as required in a quick efficient manner is what makes cloud so attractive.

You don’t need to be one of the ‘big guys’ anymore to consider cloud.  It allows you to integrate technologies even as a smaller player that without cloud you would need considerable budgets and advanced infrastructure.

Innovation

If you have the idea, then maybe cloud will allow it to become a reality.  Innovation becomes a reality with cloud as certain barriers will disintegrate.  Allowing you to access new markets, launch new products and services as you see fit.  Cloud also allows you to automate certain functions within the business.  This will save time and the resources can be pointed towards other more profitable activities.  Cloud can improve workflows and free up time that was being spent on manual processes.

Backups

What would you do if your system crashed, or you were hacked or a natural disaster destroyed all your current information?  Do you have a reliable backup?  Cloud allows a secure place where a backup can be held off site, the peace of mind this brings can be priceless.  Cloud allows for secure information sharing and helps with data protection regulations on the storage of data.

With fixed monthly costs and no major investments in new servers even your financial manager will be happy.  Think about getting your comms room back and use it for something a bit more inventive.

A new year will bring new opportunities, maybe cloud is that opportunity for your business.  Talk to DNA IT Solutions about transitioning to the cloud today.

 

News

IBM Cloud – not just big cloud for big business

Posted on by Sean Lucas
IBM Cloud Not just Big Cloud for Big Business DNA IT Solutions
03
Dec

As a medium sized business, you often need to do more with less, and that’s what cloud is all about. Cloud is always available, reliable and needs very little setup or capital expense. Cloud services will expand as your business needs them. With cloud technology, your medium size business can compete on the same level with businesses twice your size.

Why IBM Cloud?

Flexible – You can get exactly what you need for your business.  If you want certain aspects now, other parts later, or all you can get right now, it is all possible.

Simple – Easy to access through local providers who will expertly guide you through the whole process in an easy managed way.

Scalable – ready to scale up or down as your business demands it.  Only paying for what you use and ready to change when you are.

Accelerate your business – Simple, flexible and scalable means that your technology will not be holding you back.  Access new markets and launch new products to grow your business.

Business Growth

You can improve your bottom line in more ways than one.  Access to IBM cloud can help grow revenue by allowing access to new markets in order to expand globally.  We start with a business-first strategy, one that fits your needs whether you are a small business that plans to scale, or a large enterprise that requires additional isolation.  All hosted from your choice of IBM Cloud Data Centre locations around the world.  With strict security controls your data will remain secure and reporting will be made easier.

IBM Cloud enables you to:

  • Deploy high performance compute and storage infrastructure in secure IBM Cloud Data Centres around the world.
  • Test and adopt a broad range of cloud services and capabilities from IBM, open source communities, and third-party developers.
  • Connect to all of your legacy systems and apps from a single, scalable, cloud platform through private network and API capabilities.
  • Spin up and turn down resources in real time as your business needs or workload demands change.

IBM Cloud infrastructure provides the highest performing cloud infrastructure available. IBM Cloud infrastructure is one platform, which takes data centres around the world that are full of the widest range of cloud computing options, then integrates and automates everything

IBM Cloud is designed to host scalable resilient apps and application artefacts that can scale to meet your needs, remain highly available, and be quick to recover from problem.

DNA IT Solutions is a leading IBM Cloud provider in Ireland.  IBM Cloud is not just big cloud for big business, find out more by talking to our expert team.

News

Hybrid Cloud and Your Business

Posted on by Sean Lucas
Hybrid Cloud & your business DNA IT Solutions
19
Nov

Hybrid is described as ‘a thing made by combining two different elements’.  As a business you might be willing to embrace the cloud but there may be a reason to hold back just a little.  In some circumstances it may be more beneficial to have some data remain on the ground.  When you choose Hybrid Cloud as an option, you can have the best of both worlds.  Getting access to all the benefits of regular cloud but also managing some of your data on premise.

Flexibility

Those who do not move with technology can be left behind so flexibility is required both in attitude and planning.  Planning for the future of your business is key and wrong decisions can have significant negative impacts.   With a hybrid cloud strategy, you can make key decisions to reduce costs, increase flexibility and put in place solid plans for future success.

Organisations are looking to hybrid cloud because it is widely known that not all businesses fit nicely into the same box.  Hybrid adapts to the different requirements for a mix of public or private cloud combined with on-premises to give broader choices.

Increased Data

With more and more data within every business, maintaining in-house data centres is too expensive and the move to cloud becomes attractive.  When hybrid is involved it is not a straightforward ‘on-premises or cloud’ option but a combination of both which still reduces costs.  Cost reductions vary from one organisation to another depending on the mix which is decided on its operational and technology strategy combined with business goals.

Security of data will be a concern for all businesses.  With hybrid the business can choose what is positioned where depending on compliance or regulatory needs.  Greater control is needed for certain workloads and that is where private cloud may come in as part of hybrid offering.

Disaster recovery and backup services would be a priority when deciding on hybrid cloud.  Availability and security of information will determine what goes in private and what goes in public cloud and what does not stay on premises.

When you decide to start your journey to the cloud you may want to find out more about hybrid cloud.  Future proof your business and get the flexibility you need to grow, talk to a member of the DNA IT Solutions team to look at your options.

 

News

Switching to Cloud

Posted on by Sean Lucas
Switching to the cloud DNA IT Solutions
30
Oct

Switching to cloud technology is a fast-growing business trend, and it’s not hard to see why.

Approximately 75% of all businesses in Ireland use cloud technology, whether it’s in a public, private, or hybrid. Cloud technology is basically computing based on the internet rather than running applications from a physical server, meaning companies using cloud technology save on costs associated with server maintenance and expansion.

Efficiency for Business  

Cloud technology is also more efficient, since it’s easy to scale. Often businesses will need more or less bandwidth depending on which applications they need to run at any given time, and it’s easier to modify cloud technology to suit these purposes than it is to upgrade a server. Cloud technology also updates automatically, so there’s not as much IT costs involved in keeping it up to date. It’s also easier to back up files with cloud technology rather than resorting to using additional in-house resources.

Another important advantage of cloud technology is that employees often have an easier time logging in to company software remotely – which means that employees are able to be more mobile when they need to be, allowing businesses to offer flexibility that may not have been possible before. Additionally, if there’s a work emergency or projects that need to get done, being away from the office isn’t an issue for more senior staff members who might otherwise feel helpless in a time-sensitive work crisis.

The Challenges

However, along with the perks come some challenges, particularly in the setup phase. If a business is already storing everything on servers, moving everything over can seem like a daunting task. It’s a long project and can require a lot of additional IT work on top of regular everyday maintenance, meaning there are short term costs for the longer term payoff. If a business has the resources and a strategy to jump this hurdle, they still have to make sure that they have selected the right type of cloud platform. Should it be public, private, or a hybrid of both? Public cloud programs are more accessible but don’t have the security that private ones do. What features do you need?

Coping with new processes means encountering resistance to change, but as long as you have a good strategy in place, you’ll be able to overcome it. Knowing why you’re making the move to the cloud and defining your objectives is key to a successful transition. Is it better for performance? Are you aiming to reduce costs? Being able to explain precisely why cloud technology will help the business will also help employees feel invested in putting in the extra work to make it happen.

Changing to cloud technology takes time through the planning and implementation phase, and since time is money, you’ll want to invest it wisely. Still, cloud technology can be a huge benefit to any business hoping to save money in the long run.

News

Why Azure for Financial Services Sector?

Posted on by Sean Lucas
Azure for Financial Services DNA IT Solutions
15
Oct

Whatever sector of the financial services industry your business is in, you will have specific requirements around security, compliance and activities.  Azure could be the cloud for your business allowing it to move to the next level.

Opt for top-notch cloud solutions provided by Azure and make sure that your clients and partners get only the best. Utilising the power of cloud services will open the door to unlimited opportunities for development while minimising risks.

A platform that will not disappoint

The matter of security is a stringent one and should not be disregarded by any business. Investing in this sector will make sure that you respect the latest standards and become a reliable company in the eyes of your customers. How to achieve this? Azure is a platform that will provide all the resources and tools you need to meet all expectations.

The power of machine learning and AI

Wouldn’t it be great for some processes to unroll on their own, so you can use your time on driving your company toward success? With analytics based on cloud, you will have everything you need to see how things unroll starting with back-end processes and going to the end customer.

Opportunity to expand your service portfolio

Never say no to a client, as Azure is a complex hybrid platform that will allow you to expand and adapt the services you offer based on the requirements of your clients. It doesn’t matter how much your workload fluctuates, as you will always have everything you need here and support the costs of only what you end up using.

These days, customers appreciate services that are tailored to their needs. Turn this in your favour and make sure they enjoy superior experiences each time they are doing business with your company. With software-as-a-service and analytics offered by Azure, together with machine learning and AI, you will have the power to access detailed solutions that will speak to each client according to their needs.

Outstanding customer services

With this platform, your employees will have all the necessary means to be pro-active. Thus, enjoy the possibility to make predictions and determine what the best next step is for every client in your portfolio. Offer them outstanding customer services and increase the reputation and effectiveness of your business. When taping into an application based on Saas, you will be able to provide the best offer to your clients, just when they need it.

Software in the cloud

It is well known that cloud services are fast, secure, and offer unlimited storage space. So, the best thing you can do is to opt for financial services backed in the clouds. This way, you will be able to reduce costs spent on traditional IT services and invest in what helps your business grow. Cloud services will always grant you access to the latest tools and mechanism to protect your databases against malicious attacks and threats. This way, it will be easier to meet all demands concerning superior security for sensitive data.

Security and Compliance

Depend on data centers and cloud services designed from the ground up to meet the highest security and regulatory standards. Get the tools and resources you need to block malicious activity, identify vulnerabilities, and respond rapidly to evolving threats. Meet changing regulatory standards more easily and simplify your approach to compliance.

For more information on Azure Cloud and your transition to the cloud you should speak with the expert team at DNA IT Solutions.  We work with financial services businesses just like yours to enable a smooth transition to the cloud.

 

 

News

How can Cloud technology reduce risks for business?

Posted on by Sean Lucas
cloud Technology reduces Risk DNA IT Solutions
01
Oct

While many businesses may prefer to view their IT as a ‘set it and forget it’ necessity, the reality is that outlay and maintenance costs can have a huge impact on most operations. From IT consultancy and auditing to risk management and real-time maintenance issues, IT can easily become a major business headache.

Switching from in-house to cloud technologies

One very real solution that will work towards resolving many of these issues is switching from in-house to cloud technologies. In particular, such a change is likely to impact mostly on issues related to IT risk and data security.

1. SaaS – Software as a service

One of the more easily implemented routes open to all types of small to medium-sized operations is by utilising cloud technology through SaaS (Software as a Service). From DTP and email handling to accounting and even total supply chain management, SaaS has been keeping the IT of all types of business safe and secure for many years now. Apart from the implications relating to disaster recovery and handling the “hot potato” of self-owned software programs, security alone is likely to make SaaS an attractive option for businesses looking to reduce IT risks.

2. Protecting your data

Operators of cloud technologies have already proven their worth as IT data protectors. It’s likely that more than a few CEOs have already saved their expensive shirts from sweat damage by being able to retrieve their otherwise corrupted data from the cloud. With the ability to replicate all of a business’s data, critical operations can still run from anywhere in the event of local issues – including anything from power outages to flooding or fire.

3. Less reliance on third party suppliers and agencies

Because many small and medium-sized businesses have limited in-house IT management, they tend to rely more on third-party suppliers who have no vested interest in their business apart from a cheque at the end of every month. Further, even in environments that utilise the company’s own key IT personnel, sickness and other issues will still impact on operations. Cloud-based IT options will limit these issues along with further reducing the number of individuals who have sight of and access to your data, and that can only be good news.

4. Going ‘all the way’ with managed cloud services

A fully managed cloud services system will remove the burden of running an IT department from IT managers’ shoulders altogether! There are plenty of options out there that operate ongoing pay-for-use packages that virtually remove all the risk of the “halfway house” self-serving options. If these aren’t attractive enough reasons for a business to consider managed cloud services, perhaps the huge savings in staff, training, and updating will be.

5. Choosing what works best for your business

While cloud technology certainly doesn’t come neatly packaged in a one-size-fits-all format, a diligent review of any business’s IT security risks is more than likely to reveal areas that would benefit. Choosing the best options for a business’s specific and unique IT needs is, therefore, surely going to be the best way to proceed.

 

News

Advice on making the move to the cloud

Posted on by Sean Lucas
Advice on moving to the Cloud DNA IT Solutions
03
Sep

When you hear about the many benefits of moving your business to the cloud it will be no surprise that you may want to get on the project immediately.  However, before you make that final decision you may want to consider your options and look at all the pros and cons.   Sometimes when the concept becomes over complicated it can create barriers that may prevent you moving forward.  A little time spent in consideration of the strategy will be time well spent

Cloud is an opportunity

Here is some basic advice on what to think about while making your decision to start your journey to the cloud;

Don’t get too enthusiastic – Think about what you actually need and what you can you manage.  Maybe you don’t need enterprise level solutions at this stage.  Choose a suitable platform for your business and only buy what you need.  Having too much to handle will only cause problems.

Make a Plan – Ensure it’s a good plan and endeavor to stick to it.  A plan will let you get the work done in time and on budget.  Choose who will manage the project and take responsibility to lead the team with encouragement.  Achieving the objectives will be the reward.

Watch the Costs – Make sure you look at all the costs involved and decide if they fit in your budget.  You will want to compare with what you previously had.  If you are spending more, then justify it with showing what are you going to achieve in the long term.

Reliable and Secure – Are you sure you totally depend on your new technology infrastructure?  It must be reliable with methods in place to prevent outages and fit into your disaster recovery planning.  It must be secure and while cloud will have its own security layers, you will have to implement and handle security aspects relating your data.

Be Ready – Your legacy systems may not initially suit the newer cloud offerings so you may need a hybrid system for now.  You can have short term and medium term plans to suit your migration to the cloud.  It does not have to be all or nothing in the start.

These are only a few considerations for your business when it decides to move to the cloud.  At DNA IT solutions we assist companies just like yours to move seamlessly to the cloud every day of the week.  For more advice, you can speak to our team.

 

 

News

The Business Challenges of Moving to the Cloud

Posted on by Sean Lucas
Business Challenge of the Cloud DNA IT Solutions
07
Aug

It is estimated that over 75% of Irish businesses are deploying cloud technology, with many already planning to increase their deployment in the coming years.

Cloud computing platforms and technologies are advancing rapidly and it can be difficult to keep up to date.  Many already know about the many benefits of cloud such as scalability, cost effectiveness and added efficiency.  Add to that the many options such as public, private or hybrid cloud and there really is something to suit every business.

We look at the challenges that a business might consider when making the decision to start their journey to the cloud.

The Challenges to moving operations to the cloud:

Not knowing where to start –  It will seem like an overwhelming project at the initial stages.  In many cases this will deter some, while others might delay and miss out.  It is time to be brave and find out as much information as you can before you make any decisions.

Worrying about getting it right – It is important to ensure you are selecting the right platform.  Not all cloud is the same, public cloud may be the right place for you as a smaller business.  However, depending on your industry regulations you may require private cloud.  Getting it right for your own business needs is important.

Fear of new processes – Most of us do not like change.  Moving to cloud will create changes to the way the business will operate.  There may be difficulties getting the team on board, some will be resistant to change.  The timeline will be a concern to some and having the management confident in the decision they are making will make the transition easier.

Not having a strategy – When you know why you are making the move to the cloud and you have your objectives defined you can create a clear strategy.  Is it for better performance or reducing costs?  A significant change like this needs a clear strategy so you want to know why you are doing it in the first place.

Concerns about security – With so much ‘fake news’ regarding how safe the cloud is, it is no wonder that those not familiar with it will worry about the safety of their data.  Your cloud provider will give you all the reassurance you need.  With thousands of organisations having made this journey before you, you can have peace of mind.

The time it will take – Concerned with the amount of time this project will take?  Finding out the real facts will give you a clear timeline from planning to implementation.  Time is money and downtime is not something any business wants.   The transition should be clearly defined and measured.

While all these challenges will naturally occur to any business decision maker, they should not be concerning enough to stop considering the cloud for business.  With the right experienced partner leading the way, your journey to the cloud should be a success story.

DNA IT Solutions help businesses like yours every day of the week to transition to the cloud.  We create bespoke project plans for businesses of all sizes in many sectors.  You can speak with our team of experts for more information.

News

Paying too much for storage?

Posted on by Sean Lucas
Paying too much for storage_ DNA IT Solutions
06
Jul

Are you old enough to remember cassette tapes in cars?  Or renting out a VHS tape from the video shop in the town?  If you are not, ask your dad!  There’s a reason the younger generation will laugh at the idea of tapes with the technology that is around today.

Tape Backup

There are still many businesses that will do a tape backup when it comes copying data. Tape backup involves copying data from a primary storage device and storing it on a cartridge.  These tapes are then placed in a safe place and can be used should there be a system failure or loss of information.  Many are done manually and can involve arranging downtime while the backup is being done.

Costs

While this might be a fine solution for smaller business, many others are moving away from tape management for a variety of reasons.  The high volume of data generated means it is becoming more cumbersome and time consuming to use this method.  The option of cloud storage is becoming more and more attractive.  This is an option which is relatively low cost and highly scalable which is a very attractive combination.  The added benefit of being easy to change to this method and integrate into the existing system is welcome.

Data Storage

Keeping data for 90 days should be the norm and anything older than this should be archived.  Using short term storage for old information is a waste of resources.  Long term archive storage is cost effective and ideal for data that has to be kept for many years such as patient data.   If you use short term storage for everything it is costing you too much money.  Cloud storage is limitless and cost effective in comparison.

Cloud object storage allows the storage of data sources such as video, audio, mri scans, xray files, all of which can be archived.   All this flexibility and endless storage options are why many organisations are making that move towards cloud storage.

IBM Cloud Object Storage is an unstructured data storage service designed for durability, resiliency and security. Get your data to the cloud faster, analyse it in place and archive it for less.  For more information on IBM Cloud you can speak with DNA IT Solutions.  As a cloud partner with IBM we can offer tailor made solutions for your business.

News

Why choose IBM Cloud?

Posted on by Sean Lucas
why choose IBM Cloud DNA IT Solutions
15
May

IBM was once seen as the option for the big multinationals only.  This private, dedicated cloud offering is now more accessible to mainstream businesses through their partner network.  As one of only a handful of their Irish partners, we have started to bring this innovative product to select clients.  These clients have specific needs, many around data protection and IBM Cloud offers the perfect solution for them.

Secure to the core

IBM Cloud is designed for business data, offering a solution for those organisations that may have complex needs.  Security is key and IBM Cloud is secure to the core.  They started with security rather than adding it on later which is why it is such a trusted brand.   IBM Cloud secures the movement of data on a network of networks. Public, private, and management traffic travel across separate network interfaces, segregating and securing traffic while streamlining management. IBM Cloud meets data sovereignty and compliance regulations with nearly 60 locally owned and operated data centres in 19 countries—that is more than any other cloud provider.

With emerging technologies, it is good to know that it is also AI Ready.  IBM Cloud powers AI-intensive workloads that demand data integrity, low-latency and parallel processing. It also offers a broad range of Watson AI and machine learning APIs to build your own applications

Wide Range

IBM Cloud offers the widest array of database options, from relational to NoSQL, while ensuring strong consistency, high integrity, and no delay.  IBM Cloud offers over 170 services to customers.  These range from bare metal, containers, and serverless computing to hyper scale infrastructure, blockchain, AI/ML, and HP, all with built in security at their core.

Migrate with confidence

Even the most complex migrations to the cloud including VMware, SAP, Oracle or your legacy workloads are made easier with IBM Cloud, allowing you to move faster and be more agile.  DNA IT Solutions have worked with many organisations in a variety of industry sectors to ensure a smooth migration.

Grow without hesitation

We all know that cloud is flexible and scalable but with IBM you reach new heights.  You can expand your footprint without ever changing your cloud provider, it will grow and move with you.  You can  extend from local hosting to full globalisation, and even brokerage in between multiple clouds.

The possibilities with IBM Cloud are endless.  When it becomes time to consider moving to IBM Cloud then DNA IT Solutions can be your partner.  Let us use our expertise to help get you where your business needs to be.   This is IBM Cloud the DNA way.