Cloud Archives - Page 3 of 4 - NuTech Services LLC

Dec, 2017

Amazon Has Taken Over the Cloud

Amazon Web Services, or AWS, has long been a provider of quality web-based applications and services for businesses of all shapes and sizes. Nowadays, AWS is providing more services than ever before for the business world with more offerings regarding video creation, augmented reality, and virtual reality. With these new cloud-based services, Amazon is hoping to take advantage of a new market for emerging technologies.

Amazon’s Elemental Media Services introduced five new solutions that allow users to implement workflows to produce high-quality video content. The idea is to give users of AWS the capability to build custom video infrastructures to deliver content to viewers. Users can even build out custom video applications that only use technology resources paid for. This comes at a time when it’s much more efficient and cost-effective to hire outward for managing and maintaining a video delivery system, which allows for more flexibility.

Until recently, companies were spending most of their time and resources ensuring that the infrastructure they build works in an efficient way. In other words, they were more focused on the operations aspect of managing an infrastructure rather than the quality of the content produced. Amazon Web Services users can now outsource the management and maintenance of their video content infrastructure so they can focus on creating content that outshines the competition.

Some of the notable features of AWS’s new service include:

AWS Elemental MediaConvert: Formatting and compressing videos for distribution to devices
AWS Elemental MediaLive: Encoding for live broadcasts on televisions or connected devices
AWS Elemental MediaStore: Delivery of video from high-quality storage
AWS Elemental MediaPackage: Prepare and protect live video streams
AWS Elemental MediaTailor: Insert targeted advertising into media without compromising on quality

All of the above services will be compatible with other Amazon Web Services applications, so it’s worth considering for the deployment of a video infrastructure, even for small businesses who are on a budget.

Other new services offered by Amazon Web Services include Sumerian, which is AWS’s augmented reality and virtual reality development platform. Users can build out environments using 3D applications for multiple platforms, including some of the most well-known VR and AR technologies like Oculus. You can also import assets to edit 3D scenes, as well as using your own created imports or the pre-installed library of objects.

How do you see these new Amazon Web Services changing the way that your business functions, if at all? Let us know in the comments, and be sure to subscribe to our blog.

Nov, 2017

Are You Prepared for Employees to Bring Their Own Devices?

Bring Your Own Device policies have helped many companies save money on technology by allowing employees to use their own devices, rather than taking on the cost of providing devices. However, as much as a BYOD approach can help a business financially, there are some potential drawbacks to adopting one that you should be prepared to deal with.

Managing These Mobile Devices
Whenever there is a Bring Your Own Device strategy enacted, there needs to be Mobile Device Management in action as well. Your MDM software also needs to be monitored, as this will inform you if someone without the proper authorization is accessing data that they shouldn’t be.

However, sufficient monitoring is a time-intensive task. It is even possible that it would require you to add an additional employee to properly make use of your MDM software. Before you commit to these measures, which are a must for successfully implementing BYOD, make sure you have (or can obtain) the resources to run them.

One great solution to mitigate your organization’s overall BYOD costs is the built-in automation that many of today’s Mobile Device Management platforms offer. This automation can be customized and run to allow your technicians to focus on the core aspects of your business’ technology rather than spend all of their time, and your money, monitoring employee smartphones.

Streamlining For Support
A major advantage to providing employees with work devices is the control you have over the devices you provide. By selecting a specific model for your employees to use, you can standardize your systems that much more, and make your IT administrator’s job that much easier. By reducing the variety of devices they need to be familiar with, IT can service them more quickly and effectively.

This can be a drawback to BYOD, as it makes support a more arduous task and–as a result–more costly. With a variety of devices and their specific issues, it becomes a more time-intensive task to identify and resolve any problems. Taking this into account, it may be a more cost-effective option to invest in standardized mobile devices for your company to use, rather than try to manage the variety of devices your workforce likely uses based on personal preference. This is a variable that you will need to consider based on your specific circumstances and abilities. Do you finance devices for your staff? Or, manage the varying devices your staff will bring?

Leaving Yourself Vulnerable
Not all devices are equally suited for use in a BYOD strategy–sometimes, a new feature can lead to a pretty severe vulnerability. Take, for example, any device with iOS 11 installed. Despite having switches in its control center to activate and deactivate Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, these switches don’t actually deactivate their connection. This leaves these devices vulnerable, and if they were a part of a BYOD implementation, your business becomes vulnerable, as well.

Wasted Resources
Often, the question isn’t if BYOD makes sense, it’s if BYOD makes sense for a particular employee to have access to. Some companies will reimburse their staff for the personal data that they use. However, if an employee’s responsibilities don’t really require the use of a mobile device, having them involved in a BYOD strategy is akin to paying for their personal use of the device; and, can hinder their overall productivity.

Don’t get us wrong–BYOD can be a great benefit to your business and its bottom line. You just shouldn’t dive in without considering the potential downsides and planning how you will go about solving these problems. The IT professionals at NuTech Services can help. To learn more, call us today at 810.230.9455.

Aug, 2017

The Differences Between Sync, Backup, and Storage

The cloud is a great solution for your business’s file management needs, but depending on your specific situation, you’ll find that the same cloud won’t work for every single business model. We’ll walk you through some similar-sounding terms related to the cloud that might sound like they are the same thing, even when they’re not.

Cloud Sync
Cloud sync is a way to access files and documents across multiple users and devices through a cloud-based folder on the device. You know how you open a folder on your laptop or desktop? It’s just like that. You place any files that you want to share across devices into this folder and they will be uploaded to the cloud and shared between them. Just keep in mind that any mistakes you make with the file will also carry over, which can be problematic, as they are all updated in real time.

Cloud Backup
Using the cloud to back your data up is a great way to change the way you protect your business’s future. You can automatically save your data to a secondary location, updating it whenever a file has been changed beyond the original. However, unlike tape backup, cloud backup doesn’t need any of your internal staff changing over tapes or initiating the backup themselves. Your data is then stored off-site automatically. You can retrieve your data as long as you have appropriate bandwidth. In fact, regardless of your bandwidth, it will likely be faster than your traditional tape backup solution. If you need your data for any reason, it can be encrypted and stored on a hard drive to be shipped overnight to your location as well. Remember, a great cloud backup solution will allow you to revert to a previous version of your data in the event that you suffer from a data loss incident.

Cloud Storage
Cloud storage is, more or less, exactly as it’s described. You store your data in the cloud. Cloud syncing forms the backbone of cloud storage. These services are quite reliable so that you almost always have access to your data. Depending on what kind of data it is, you could host it almost exclusively in the cloud. This type of hosting is somewhat situational, though, so we recommend that you consult with us before going ahead with such an initiative.

Forming Your Cloud Strategy
Ultimately, you want to have no fewer than two working copies of your data readily available in the event of a disaster. All of your important files and data should be kept off of your workstations and stored on a centralized network infrastructure, which is regularly backed-up directly to the cloud for restoration at a later date. This way, you’ll be able to minimize downtime and data loss. Above all else, keep your data backups off of your business’s internal infrastructure. If you somehow lose access to your data or your infrastructure due to a hacking attack or natural disaster, you’ll be glad that you backed up to a secure off-site location.

For assistance with forming a cloud backup solution, reach out to NuTech Services at 810.230.9455.

Aug, 2017

Virtualization Has A Place Everywhere In Your Business

Virtualization is a key player in today’s efficient workplace. Businesses of all kinds are looking to expand and enhance the way that they function on a fundamental level, and virtualization offers never before seen opportunities to cut down redundancies and implement new methods to improve operations.

First, an explanation of what exactly virtualization is. In essence, virtualization is taking a service or solution and abstracting it to the point where it can be run or accessed through the cloud or another centralized location. Examples of virtualization include digitizing servers or workstations, eliminating the need to manage and maintain hardware; storing applications or data in the cloud to allow for more efficient and dynamic access; and so much more. How can your business benefit from this new way of working with business technology?

Here are some of the most effective ways to utilize virtualization for your organization.

Virtualized Cloud Hardware
Businesses often virtualize servers so that they don’t necessarily have to provide the same maintenance and management required of a physical server unit. Virtualizing servers through a service provider like NuTech Services lets your organization store its servers on our infrastructure so that we can directly administer maintenance and management as needed. You can access your information remotely through the cloud. Other benefits include the ability to create specific environments for legacy applications and reducing the overall costs of operations due to fewer resources spent on air conditioning or electricity.

Virtualized Desktops
Just like servers, your desktop infrastructure can also be virtualized in order to preserve energy and assets for your organization. For example, let’s say that you replace all of your business’s workstations with thin clients. Thin clients are sort of like basic desktops that call their resources and applications from a virtualized infrastructure. Thin clients consume far less electricity than an ordinary workstation, allowing you to invest these resources elsewhere. This means a user’s desktop and applications are all processed centrally on a server or in the cloud. If your user needs to access their desktop environment from a laptop or another computer, they can typically do so securely without skipping a beat.

Virtualized Software
Storing software solutions in the cloud is a great way to improve their versatility. If you store them in the cloud, you provide access to any approved device through a mobile app or web browser. This can help your employees stay productive both in and out of the office by staying connected to a number of different software solutions, including your productivity suite, email, and even your phone system.

If you can imagine virtualizing a solution, chances are that it’s a possibility for your business. The only way to know for sure is to call NuTech Services. To learn more about virtualization, reach out to us at 810.230.9455.

Jul, 2017

Why Cloud Storage is Knocking Flash Storage Out of the Picture

You need to quickly move documents from one computer to another. Do you reach for a USB Thumb drive? You may want to think twice and entrust the cloud to your data. Let’s talk about why.

A Brief History of Recent Data Storage Methods
Throughout the 1990s, NAND flash memory–which is what stores the data on a USB flash drive–was progressively becoming more and more affordable. The first company to sell a USB Flash Drive was a Singaporean company Trek 2000 International, who released their proprietary ThumbDrive at the beginning of 2000. Later that year, IBM became the first producer to sell USB flash drives in the United States with their product, DiskOnKey.

The cloud, believe it or not, was thought up in 1969 by J.C.R. Licklider. His idea was an online storage system that could be accessed from an Internet connection anywhere in the world–an idea that had to wait until the technology was there to support it. Once it was, many well-known companies (like Google and Amazon) were quick to leverage the cloud to provide utilities, including data storage capabilities.

Comparing the Two…
…however, there isn’t much of a comparison. The biggest benefit that a usb flash drive has to offer is the fact that it doesn’t rely on an Internet connection to access files. Otherwise, there isn’t much to be said about them that’s positive other than the convenience of portability. They’re easily infected by malicious programs, easy to lose, and easily stolen. Plus, they don’t offer near the collaborative abilities that the cloud does.

Cloud storage is, first and foremost, very secure against threats and malware, and backed up to protect your data against any circumstances that might put it at risk. Security mostly includes AES-256 encryption and superior access control through multi-factor authentication. As far as collaboration goes, the cloud offers much more utility than passing around a USB drive ever could.

The cloud allows you to work on your documents and data from any device with an Internet connection (we recommend that you make sure your connection is secure), sharing access with any other user by sharing a simple link. Also unlike the USB device, which only allows a single person to work on a file at a time, multiple users can manipulate the data simultaneously, simplifying any responsibilities that require collaboration.

While the USB thumb drive had its moment in computing history to be the star of data storage and sharing, that title has moved on to the cloud. Has your business done the same?

NuTech Services can help you make the move to the cloud. Call us at 810.230.9455 for more details.

May, 2017

Can Your Cloud Provider Provide a Personal Touch?

Cloud technology has become an integral part of doing business today. This has led to a need for, and subsequent availability of, cloud services from a variety of sources to be able to meet the needs of a business. These services aren’t all created equally, however, and as a result, the source of cloud services is a critical consideration to take into account when choosing a provider.

The vast majority of these public cloud services come from one of two sources. First, there are cloud solutions that are provided by the well-known, multinational technology companies. These cloud services include the likes of Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, and Dropbox, to name a few. Alternatively, there is also the prospect of utilizing hosted solutions that are delivered through a managed service provider.

Consider the service that one could expect to receive from a big box solution provider. While the products are excellent, it is extremely unlikely that–should you ever require support–these providers will offer the in-depth insight and dedicated attention to resolve your issue efficiently and effectively. After all, chances are slim that these providers would feel much impact from losing one client thanks to their size and scope. Therefore, major providers will almost certainly be considerably less involved in providing the attention that your business would benefit from. What’s more, since these providers have to serve the lowest common denominator, there is the chance that the cloud solutions they have available simply aren’t suited to meet your business’ specific needs.

This is not the case when it comes to what a managed service provider can deliver.

When an MSP offers a cloud solution, that offer is made with the promise of personalized service and attentiveness to the needs of their clients. With the more personal business relationship that is formed between you and the MSP, their services are more focused upon providing you with a solution that fits your needs, instead of the one-size-fits-most approach that larger firms and corporations take. The MSP will always be there if you ever need assistance in managing your cloud solution, and is willing to help you optimize your service level so that you will receive the attention and resources that you need… without breaking the bank on a service package filled with things you don’t.

If you’d rather your cloud computing experience be one that is personally handled by a resource that’s invested in your business and its success, reach out to NuTech Services. Give us a call at 810.230.9455.

May, 2017

3 Reasons Why it’s High Time to Give the Cloud a Chance

If you haven’t implemented cloud computing for your business yet… why? We understand that you can’t throw caution to the wind, but it’s really in your best interest to invest in the cloud. Doing so can allow your organization to experience unprecedented periods of enhanced operations and growth in the future. We’ll dispel three of the most common misconceptions about the cloud so that you can make the best decision possible for your business.

Misconception 1: Your Data Isn’t Secure in the Cloud
If you think that security is a problem for the cloud, we understand why you might think that way; especially in light of the many major hacking attacks suffered by organizations far larger than your own. However, in many cases, it’s actually safer to store data in the cloud than on your in-house infrastructure. In a study by Schneider Electric, it was found that 40 percent of participants host their security solution in the cloud, and another 45 percent of participants claim that they will move their security to the cloud in the near future.

Granted, you still need to be careful when you’re considering a cloud platform for your organization’s data. You, or a trusted IT consultant, should take the time to perform a quality analysis of the various risks versus the rewards–particularly in regard to the costs, opportunities, and risk factors. To get a second opinion about various cloud providers, you can look at vendors who might use their services. You’ll be able to see how great their services are from who they associate themselves with.

Misconception 2: The Cloud is Too Expensive
The cloud may have been a rather expensive investment in the past, but that’s not so much the case anymore. The cloud is so varied and commonplace in today’s workplace environment that you will likely encounter different rates for different cloud providers. Furthermore, since the cloud has grown much more common over the past few years, its costs have decreased, allowing more organizations to afford it than before.

There are still other expenses to keep in mind, though, including the cloud migration fees and any other costs associated with doing so. This includes opportunity costs, like time to market, disaster recovery savings, and customer satisfaction. You also need to consider just how much it will take to run an on-site cloud, as well as the maintenance that it would require, like resolving problems, installing new hardware, upgrading applications, and so on.

Misconception 3: You Can’t Get Flexibility from the Cloud
If you’ve made the decision to host data and applications on your in-house infrastructure, then you know that it takes a significant amount of time and resources to make this type of situation work for you. Usually an IT department would handle this responsibility, but it’s not always easy for small organizations to achieve the same level of care as larger enterprises. This is why a lot of organizations choose to host their network resources, like server/desktop infrastructures and data storage, in the cloud. This saves your organization a considerable amount of time and money, and all it takes is a talk with a trusted cloud provider like NuTech Services to make it reality.

Are you ready to invest in cloud computing? If so, reach out to us at 810.230.9455.

Apr, 2017

Tip of the Week: 3 Ways the Cloud Streamlines Operations for SMBs

The cloud is a great asset that your business can use to your business’ operational efficiency, but only if you’ve put plenty of thought into the implementation process. Since the same cloud solution likely won’t work in the same way for two different organizations, you’ll need to intimately know what your business needs so that you can build and deliver a cloud solution to meet these demands. This week’s tip is all about helping you determine the best cloud solution for your organization.

Here are three factors that you need to consider when seeking out a cloud solution.

Hosting and Maintenance
It’s likely that hosting complicated technology solutions isn’t your organization’s forte. Not only is it a time-consuming endeavor, but it’s also technical and challenging. Plus, your organization may not have anyone dedicated to the task. In this case, it’s ideal to simply outsource this responsibility so that a cloud provider can host your solution and maintain it for you.

There are three types of cloud solutions that allow your organization to adapt to its specific needs: public, private, and hybrid. Public clouds allow your organization to store data in a shared online space that’s managed by the provider. Private clouds, on the other hand, can be hosted on-site on your own network, or virtually by an outside provider. Hybrid clouds are designed in a way which allows for the convenience of a public cloud while retaining the privacy and functionality of a private cloud.

Flexibility
Since your business will inevitably grow, you’ll be likely to add new users and implement new technologies. You’ll obtain more clients, and in doing so, your workload will increase to the point where your previous infrastructure might not be able to handle it properly. Therefore, if you want your cloud solution to be a valuable asset in the future, you’ll need to think about growth.

The cloud allows organizations of all shapes and sizes the flexibility to adapt to changes in their workforce or the number of devices accessing company data. You will have complete control over how many user accounts and how much data storage your organization has. The main difference, however, is that the public cloud makes it a bit less expensive to expand. If you choose a private cloud solution, it is sure to require a substantial investment on your part, as you will have to secure the resources. The main benefit of the private cloud is that you will have full control over the management and maintenance of the computing infrastructure, providing complete situational flexibility.

Security
When it comes to running a business, there are few things more important than security. Considering how cloud storage is based in the Internet, you have to worry more about hackers. There are security solutions designed to keep breaches from occurring, but not all cloud solutions offer the same level of protection.

What’s the major difference between these cloud solutions in regard to security? The public cloud generally allows for a set level of protection, with the potential for increased levels of service depending on how much you’re willing to pay. The good news is that the public cloud is relatively safe, the reason being that these cloud providers generally have trained IT teams that are dedicated to keeping your data safe. Of course, this is just to keep their own organization safe, but it’s nice to know that you can count on them. The same can be said for any managed service provider who offers a private cloud hosting service. If you host your own private cloud, you can implement whatever measures you desire.

Do you need a hand choosing a cloud solution for your business? If so, reach out to us at 810.230.9455.

Mar, 2017

Moving to the Cloud? Be Wary of These Hidden Costs

Efficient utility software deployment has been a priority for businesses for much of the past three decades, but today’s software developers are beginning to more frequently offer their titles as a service, giving end users the ability to utilize powerful software solutions from anywhere, for what is often a reasonable monthly payment. The dissemination of useful computing resources from the cloud, whether it’s a private cloud server, or a public cloud platform through a reputable cloud provider, can be of great benefit to your business.

In a recent study, it was predicted that 59 percent of the cloud computing workload will be generated from SaaS offerings by 2018. This figure correlates with the trend of more and more businesses hosting their software in the cloud. To successfully move your company to the cloud, it first has to navigate the process of virtualization, while remaining mindful of several other variables. Here are two major factors you must consider if your business is looking to implement a cloud solution.

Integration Considerations
You cannot assume that your company’s mission-critical applications will automatically integrate with every cloud service that’s on the market. Connecting an existing service that you rely on every day with a new cloud service requires testing and special considerations to be made regarding integration requirements. By not first doing your homework about what your new cloud service requires, you’ll put your company at risk of downtime and lost resources from encountering an issue like incompatibility.

The Need for a Reliable Connection
If your business plans on relying on cloud services, you’re going to need a reliable connection. This includes making sure your in-house network has enough bandwidth to support accessing your cloud services at peak hours, as well as a consistent Internet service from your ISP. Often times, companies that make the move to the cloud will upgrade their Internet package before officially switching over, seeing as cloud services are more data-intensive than typical Internet activity. Another component to look into is the connection and uptime of your potential cloud service provider.

Both of these factors must work together flawlessly in order to provide you with a cloud service that enhances the operations of your business. To ensure that your company gets the most out of the cloud and experiences an issue-free adoption of cloud services, give NuTech Services a call at 810.230.9455 for professional IT assistance.

Feb, 2017

Your Plate is Full Enough. Updating Software Shouldn’t Be on It

Making sure that your company’s software solutions are up-to-date is something that should take priority, but it’s a chore that’s difficult to perform without a little help. How can you make sure that security patches and updates are always implemented, without sacrificing all of the time and effort required to do so? Even if you don’t think you need them, we promise that they are worth your time–or that of your IT staff.

There’s no way around the importance of implementing software updates, no matter how hard you look for it. In terms of preventing threats from taking advantage of existing vulnerabilities in your software, applying patches is one of the best countermeasures that you can take. You want to make sure that you are taking a calculated approach to your updates so as to make sure there are no cut corners or mistakes being made.

Having a Maintenance Routine is Crucial
From a break-fix IT standpoint, your business will only get much-needed software updates when something goes wrong with your IT infrastructure. This is counterproductive, as you want software patches and security updates to be installed as soon as possible, following their release. Plus, it’s just bad business for a break-fix IT company to do something for you that would keep your technology from working properly. After all, their entire business model relies on your technology not working as intended, so why would they go out of their way to update your software?

Having someone be in charge of implementing software updates is the best way to make sure that this task actually happens. This also presents another important question: do you have employees who have time to do all of this? Keep in mind that software updates need to be done in a timely manner, and it’s likely that they will need to be performed after-hours, so as not to disturb daily operations.

So… How Do You Do It?
For organizations that have an in-house IT department, the responsibility of software updates will usually fall to their technicians. Considering how many things can go wrong if this doesn’t go according to plan, you want to make sure that this process is only handled by professionals. For businesses that don’t have the technical know-how, managed service providers allow for outsourced maintenance–including the remote implementation of security patches and updates. This means that you don’t have to use your company’s time and resources to implement software updates, allowing you to focus on keeping operations running.

Even businesses that do have an internal IT department can benefit from a remote monitoring and management solution. If you find that your IT staff is overworked and they don’t have time for mundane, time-consuming tasks like applying updates, NuTech Services can provide co-managed IT care to help your team. While your IT staff is busy innovating, we can take care of the tasks that nobody really wants to do, like issuing software updates to all workstations on your network.

Besides updating your workstations, other available updates for your technology can also be handled relatively easily by our team. Here are a few examples that you’ll want to keep in mind as you decide how you want to implement your software updates.

Operating systems: Remember the fiasco from a couple years ago when Microsoft stopped supporting its popular operating system, Windows XP? This is what can happen if you don’t routinely update your operating systems. You’ll no longer receive security updates and you’ll put your company’s sensitive data in jeopardy.
Legacy applications: When you rely on mission-critical software, you might be hesitant to implement patches or upgrade the software. Therefore, you need the assistance of technical experts who can help you either move away from legacy applications or install updates in a way that won’t cause downtime.
Hardware quality: Thinking beyond just software, your hardware needs regular attention as well, if you want to make sure operations aren’t hindered by unnecessary downtime. Hardware refreshes should be considered in tandem with your software updates, as there’s no reason to update the operating system on a failing piece of hardware when you can kill two birds with one stone by simply ordering a new workstation.

Does all of this sound intimidating? Reach out to NuTech Services and you’ll never have to worry about software updates again. To learn more about what we can do for your SMB, reach out to us at 810.230.9455.

Feb, 2017

Study Finds that 45% of Virtual Machines Would Run More Efficiently in the Cloud

By now you’ve surely heard about the benefits of cloud computing, but a new survey by TSO Logic might be just the proof you need to make the leap to the cloud. The survey analyzed 10,000 physical servers and 25,000 virtual machines, and the results are quite revealing!

At the end of the survey, TSO Logic found that 45 percent of virtual machines would run more proficiently if they were managed in the cloud. At 45 percent, this is a pretty significant chunk of servers. The reasons why cloud servers outshone their hardware-based counterparts varies. In 26 percent of the inspected machines, both on-premise and virtual machines suffered from a critical problem called over-provisioning. Basically, this means that the machines were set up in a way which caused them to use more resources than they have to work with.

InformationWeek reported that TSO Logic’s CEO Aaron Rallo came to the following conclusion: “Migrating them to the cloud and right-sizing them there would result in a 36 percent savings over their current operating cost.”

While any amount of savings is welcome in business, a large figure like 36 percent is particularly impressive. The expenses of implementing cloud solutions can be easily covered by the cost savings, and this efficiency only serves to further reduce cost savings. This cloud migration scenario also makes for the perfect time to upgrade older server units as well, since you can save money and reduce the odds of hardware failure with a hardware refresh. InformationWeek reports: “A secondary finding was that merely upgrading systems to the latest generation of servers, whether on premises or in the cloud, would also result in considerable savings. Twenty-five percent of the physical servers surveyed were more than three years old, meaning they dated back into the Intel Nehalem chip era of 2013 and its predecessors.”

Yet, this prompts the question, “Do I really need to take these measures when everything seems to work just fine?” Inefficiencies might not be an immediate problem, but if there are enough of them, they will begin to accumulate and create problems for your organization. Instead, It’s best to use these proactive measures to keep problems from happening in the future. That’s what this study seems to predict, anyway, and it makes sense.

If your business is ready to get the most out of its cloud solutions, reach out to NuTech Services. We can host your servers in the cloud so that you don’t have to worry about their management and maintenance. Furthermore, we can offer a complete and thorough IT assessment so that you know exactly what your organization needs to accomplish with the cloud. To learn more, reach out to us at 810.230.9455.

Nov, 2016

Educate Yourself About the Cloud Before Choosing a Cloud Provider

As a business owner, you’ve probably heard plenty about how the cloud can improve operations and make your life easier. While it’s certainly capable of doing both, it’s important to understand what, exactly, the cloud is. How do you select the proper solution for your organization’s specific needs?

What is the Cloud?
The cloud is a way of computing that allows your business to store and access data in an online environment. To put it simply, you’re using someone else’s computer for the purposes of storing data. This computer or server is managed and secured, either by your business’s IT department or by security professionals within public cloud providers. As long as you have an Internet connection, you can access your data from anywhere at any time, and scale resources to match your particular needs at any given moment. This flexibility is the greatest benefit that the cloud offers businesses.

By using a cloud solution, you can cut your costs and increase mobile productivity substantially. The cloud can also improve internal collaboration across departments through shared storage space. In general, cloud computing is such a solid investment that you’d be hard-pressed to find a business that doesn’t utilize the cloud in some way, shape, or form.

We’ll discuss the three types of cloud solutions in detail so you can make an educated decision regarding your business’s cloud investment.

Public Cloud
The public cloud is a place where the general public can store data within a cloud environment. It’s set up in a way which allows users to access only their own part of the cloud. Of course, this also depends on the provider, but it can be either a free or paid service for however many resources you use. For a good example of how the public cloud works, look at G-Suite (Google’s cloud services), Microsoft Office 365, and Dropbox.

Granted, the public cloud still has its downsides. If you lose your Internet connection or you’re traveling without access to the Internet, you’ll have problems accessing your data. Plus, some providers are known to change the locations of stored data without informing you of the change, which could become problematic. Another major concern is that you won’t have complete and total control over your security standards.

While the services work for their price and are good for consumers, the public cloud might fall short of business expectations. A more customized solution can be found in the private or hybrid cloud.

Private Cloud
When we talk about the private cloud, we usually refer to one of two setups. Sometimes a company has the resources to host their own cloud solution, but in other cases, providers might offer an isolated section of their infrastructure for exclusive use by your organization. The provided solution is based on resource usage, while the private cloud that’s hosted on-site tends to be a bit more costly due to hiring IT staff to maintain it. Either way, the private cloud offers substantial improvements in terms of security, while requiring a bit more loving maintenance.

Hybrid Cloud
The hybrid cloud is a solution designed to utilize qualities of both the public and private cloud to achieve a similar level of service to both. By reaching through an infrastructure’s firewall to access resources, it effectively allows for a similar level of service as a public cloud with exceptionally more powerful security solutions. The hybrid cloud is ideally for use by organizations that need the customization it offers.

Which type of cloud are you interested in? To learn more about your options, give us a call at 810.230.9455.

Oct, 2016

Why it May Not Be Worth it to Replace Your Server

When a business undergoes a hardware refresh, it often comes saddled with unexpected costs and downtime. This is sometimes caused by hardware failure, or from unplanned-for data migration. With the advent of virtualized servers, businesses now have a better way to recover from the woes of server refreshes. Rather than purchase new hardware, it’s more economically viable to go with a virtual server that’s hosted in the cloud.

Server virtualization is a great way to save costs and reduce operational expenses in the long run. Virtual servers can separate the computing resources of a server and allocate them within a cloud-like infrastructure. Server virtualization is great for businesses that have limited budgets and resources, since this is a responsibility that’s simple to outsource to a reliable third party service provider.

Here are three major reasons why you should go with virtual servers for your next IT refresh.

Virtual Environments
One of the biggest reasons to use virtual servers is that you can create multiple computing instances on the same virtual machine. For example, if you’re using a legacy application that’s only functional with a specific operating system, you can run a virtual machine dedicated to that application. This keeps you from investing unnecessary capital into an entirely separate server unit for the exclusive use of one application. Keep in mind that this also helps you limit the cost of operation and maintenance that would be needed for a dedicated server.

Save on Operating Costs
Another major benefit that virtual servers offer is the ability to host less hardware in-house. Servers use a lot of electricity and generate a lot of heat, making air conditioning a top priority for server longevity. High energy costs can put a damper on your budget, and server virtualization offers a remedy. You can consolidate your infrastructure onto one device with multiple virtual machines, rather than create a complex infrastructure of network components. This cuts down on your operational expenses.

Effectively Manage Resources
Virtual machines let service providers or IT administrators manage their workloads more-effectively. You can monitor and adjust workloads in a cloud-based interface in real time, allowing operations to progress unhindered. While it’s possible to have your own internal IT department handle this, it’s better to outsource these responsibilities to save internal time and resources for more important matters.

The next time you need a hardware refresh, be sure to keep your server infrastructure at the top of your mind. To learn more, reach out to us at 810.230.9455.

Oct, 2016

3 Significant Ways the Cloud Can Grow Your Business

Has your business moved to the cloud yet? If not, you’ve got some work to do–it’s only a matter of time before the need for the cloud completely overshadows your organization. Thankfully, it’s only challenging to move to the cloud if you don’t have a group of professional IT technicians helping you.

Here are three ways that the cloud allows your business to do more with less.

Anywhere Access to Applications and Data
If your business is new to the process of cloud computing, one of the best ways you can realize its value is by virtualizing applications and providing access to them over an online environment. You may already be using cloud-based applications in the form of Microsoft Office 365 or Google Apps. These types of data storage and cloud solutions can help your employees stay productive from anywhere they have an Internet connection, which allows them to get more work done and improve efficiency.

You can also host other applications and solutions in the cloud, like a Voice over Internet Protocol system. It’s basically an online phone system, and some of the more dynamic VoIP systems have phone apps that allow your employees to use their company phone number on their smartphone.

Improved Budget
The cloud takes advantage of virtualized machines like servers and desktop infrastructures, which allow you to cut down on the amount of hardware stored on-site. The idea is to reduce workloads in-house and place these mission-critical services in the cloud, located in a virtual environment that can be scaled and managed online. This type of virtualization is important for limiting the amount of on-site technology that needs maintenance, which affords your business more opportunities for cost savings. Additionally, the fewer resource-intensive solutions you have in your office, the more you’ll save on energy bills like electricity and air conditioning.

Simplified Network with Room for Flexibility
A simplified network means that you’re hosting the bare minimum amount of hardware on-site, and that you’ve managed to virtualize the majority of solutions that your business relies on. For example, many businesses don’t take advantage of full-fledged workstations, and instead choose to use thin clients. Thin clients work by calling a desktop infrastructure from the virtualized server, as well as all of the necessary resources to function properly. Thin clients are less expensive and consume less energy, so they’re a viable alternative to the traditional workstation–when backed up by virtualization, of course. Furthermore, cloud-hosted solutions have the flexibility to change and adapt to your business’s specific needs. This helps by allowing you to allocate resources as they’re needed.

To implement a cloud solution that’s right for your business, reach out to NuTech Services at 810.230.9455.

Sep, 2016

3 Lessons We’ve Learned for a Successful Cloud Migration

If you’ve recently decided to implement cloud computing for your business, then we commend you. You’ve chosen to use a powerful and dynamic solution for your computing needs. However, choosing to use the cloud and actually implementing the cloud are two entirely different monsters. Now that you have your sights set on the cloud, what do you have to do to get your infrastructure ready for migration?

The first thing you need to know is that a cloud migration is much more involved than moving a file from one location to another. We’re talking about your entire data infrastructure getting migrated to a new location in the cloud. This involves a lot of prep work, not unlike moving all of your belongings from your home to a new house. The better prepared you are for the move, the smoother the transition, and the lower the probability that you’ll misplace important items of value.

ITProPortal provides some insight into what migrating properly to the cloud takes: “It involves a complex infrastructure migration process. Good preparation is the key to success. Those organizing the migration process should ensure that all data is ready for the move and that the company network has the necessary capabilities to interact with the cloud.” This is the biggest reason why you want a qualified professional to assess your IT infrastructure before you start your move to the cloud.

Consider these aspects of cloud migration before making the big move:

Sort and Label Your Files
Over the many years you’ve been in business, your organization has collected countless files and documents. It’s crucial that you take the time to determine which files are worth saving and moving. Otherwise, you could waste valuable time and resources moving files that you no longer need, which could drag out the migration process.

Prepare Your Network Infrastructure
Cloud migration may come with changes that need to be made to a network infrastructure. In general, when migrating to the cloud, you need to consider two major additions; setting up a direct Internet breakout in order to distribute traffic across external networks, and multiple firewall instances in order to secure the various Internet connections.

Have a Migration Timetable
Even the most thorough planning for a cloud migration can yield results that take weeks or months to fully realize. Therefore, you need to provide your staff with an accurate timetable for the transition to ensure that their workflow isn’t disrupted. One way to do this is to plan for how user settings are migrated, like profiles, address books, calendars, and so on. To help with this, ITProPortal advises: “Instead of moving all their data to the cloud, more and more companies are opting for a hybrid solution. This means that some users and storage locations stay with Exchange on-premises, while the rest move to the cloud.”

Once all of your data is successfully migrated to the cloud, you’ll want to focus on security, archiving, and data backup to ensure that you’re ready for anything. NuTech Services is happy to help your business with

Aug, 2016

Why True Autoscaling is Out of Reach for the Average SMB

Shopping for a cloud solution can be difficult. You’ll be sold on plenty of impressive-sounding features that you may not know anything about. One feature that you may have seen floating around is autoscaling, which sounds great on paper, but may not live up to its expectations. The only problem, though, is how you can identify those that deliver, and those that don’t, before investing in a project.

The idea of autoscaling for your cloud solution seems to be great. Workloads can automatically be adjusted depending on the scale and specific amount of resources they need to perform a task. The idea is that these processes are automated so that you can focus on doing your job. This always-on feature keeps your network monitored, preventing bottlenecks and traffic spikes from derailing operations. Supposedly, cloud autoscaling can handle all of this without any human intervention whatsoever.

Unfortunately, this simply isn’t the case.

The reality of the situation is that autoscaling to this degree requires an immense amount of human oversight and intervention, that the “auto” in autoscaling is hardly a qualifying term. ITProPortal explains, “To create a truly automated and self-healing architecture that scales with little or no human intervention requires custom scripts and templates that can take months for a skilled team to get right, and many organizations have neither the time nor those resources to make it work.”

Instead of investing so much time and effort into making a truly automated system, it’s often best to just have human oversight involved in your cloud solution. This is done best by allowing trusted IT administrators to keep tabs on network traffic and intelligent scaling. Besides, isn’t a human system better than an automated system in the first place?

This type of oversight for a cloud platform is important, especially since network computing can be unpredictable at times. For example, what would happen if your website was hosted in the cloud, and your business was featured in a TV spotlight on the local news? Your website might crash from the unexpected amount of traffic it receives. Any solution connected to the Internet is vulnerable to such a threat, particularly DDoS attacks, which are frequently used by both fledgling hackers and experienced criminals alike. If a network is being monitored with the proper oversight, the needed resources can be allocated and scaled to suit the situation, and (hopefully) prevent the attack.

However, nothing is as simple as it seems, even when people are involved. For a small business, it can be difficult for the IT budget to procure a salary for a dedicated IT technician who can constantly oversee their network. Furthermore, even if you can accommodate an in-house IT technician, you know how busy they can get. ITProPortal explains: “They don’t have time for this either. Couple it with the fact that they are chastised when systems are under-provisioned or fail, that re-starting a system may land it on an unfortunate server filled with noisy neighbors, and that all of this is happening at the scale of dozens or hundreds of servers at a time – and this feels like a great time to just over-provision everything and leave well enough alone.”

The SMB seems to be stuck at an impasse here; with true autoscaling being difficult, if not impossible to achieve, and onboarding new IT technicians being out of scope, the most effective way to achieve a semblance of autoscaling for your cloud solution is to use a managed cloud service. NuTech Services’s managed services provides affordable and accessible IT solutions for small businesses, which can include the oversight you need for your cloud solution.

In the end, you won’t be doing any of the work, so it’ll be just as good as any automated cloud solution could be. To learn more, reach out to us at 810.230.9455.

Jul, 2016

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How Your Business Can Take Advantage of These 4 Mobility Trends

In a world where mobility is king, it can be challenging at best to implement new solutions without first taking into account how they can affect your business’s mobility. Especially with the cloud gaining ground, companies have their eyes on mobility and the requisite security, hoping to achieve greater flexibility and profitability by doing so.

The following are mobility trends that have made themselves prevalent throughout the enterprise world. By analyzing them and comparing them to your own organization, you might be able to save yourself some trouble in the future by keeping them in mind when implementing new solutions.

Security is a priority: It doesn’t matter what type of devices your business uses, or how you access data. Security is always going to be a top concern, especially for mobile devices that are often connecting to unsecured Wi-Fi networks. Using what’s known as a virtual private network, as well as monitoring access to critical data, can be great ways to limit your company’s exposure to threats while mobile.
More focus on the cloud: The cloud allows data and applications to be available from anywhere with an Internet connection via a web browser, improving business mobility and agility. The cloud can allow your business to collaborate and communicate no matter where you or your team are, allowing for unprecedented convenience.
The convergence of desktop and mobile: We see more of this every day with Windows 10, an operating system that Microsoft is attempting to implement for all devices in some way, shape, or form. The idea is to make apps and operating systems that work across devices, so as to increase user productivity and flexibility. Think about it; are you more likely to get work done with a watered-down version of an app on a mobile device, or with a full version that contains all of the features you would find on the desktop application?
Regulation and oversight are needed: Data control is a must for any organization that wants to use mobile devices to their benefit. You need to make sure that your team can be held accountable for not just their actions, but also for what they do with your data. You should be able to see when files are accessed, and by whom. It’s important that you implement measures that restrict the flow of data as much as possible, so as not to expose sensitive information to those who have no business viewing it.

With so much to think about, how does your business implement mobile technology? If you’re ever concerned with adding new devices or setting up security policies for smartphones, tablets, laptops, or other mobile technology, reach out to NuTech Services at 810.230.9455. We offer several solutions, such as mobile device management, which can help your team best leverage their mobile devices, without putting your organization’s sensitive data at risk.

Jun, 2016

The Vast Majority of Business Owners that Try Cloud Services Don’t Look Back

Your business’s productivity suite, be it Google Apps for Work or Microsoft Office 365, is a critical component for your success. These services, when implemented in the cloud, can be major game-changers, and it’s thanks to the convenience of mobile data and application access that have led to such vigor in the development of the cloud.

In particular, the success of “software as a service,” or SaaS, shows the need to leverage online computing solutions to your advantage. Businesses can use SaaS to pay a flat rate for a productivity suite, or other virtual solution. The software is then accessible through the cloud via an Internet connection, which makes it both flexible enough to add new users, and accessible enough to be used on any device. A study by BetterCloud reveals that 91 percent of Google Apps users claim that SaaS helps them more than traditional desktop applications, while 68 percent of Office 365 users found the same.

SaaS’s success reveals that paying less for more over time can be a valid way to build out your IT infrastructure. Instead of purchasing software outright, businesses are finding that it’s more efficient and economically feasible to pay smaller fees at a monthly rate. Other benefits include using only the most up-to-date versions of business apps, and the ability to access these applications from anywhere with an Internet connection. Considering how it’s both easier and more cost-effective to add users to a cloud-based solution than purchasing new software licenses for all of your employees, the cloud is definitely the way to go.

Despite the many benefits, BetterCloud has found that there are still many significant roadblocks that could railroad your business’s implementation of cloud-based applications. One of them could be your business’s dedication to your old desktop application infrastructure. Even though the cloud is a great new addition to your organization, you may have employees who would prefer to use desktop apps stored locally on their machine. Remember, concepts like cloud computing, document sharing, and collaborative technologies, are still relatively new in the business environment. It will still take time for these concepts to sink in and take root.

Modern technology solutions have given rise to businesses that require mobile, collaborative workplace environments. Simply having the necessary software solutions on your workstation isn’t enough; people want to stay productive even when out of the office. This drive for mobility and constant access to data and applications is what has fueled the cloud frenzy. Therefore, it’s becoming not just a gimmick, but an important commodity in the business world, and one that you can’t ignore forever.

Is your business ready to implement solutions that are designed to help your team improve operations? If so, give NuTech Services a call at 810.230.9455. Our team will assist in the swift deployment of great cloud solutions designed for your organization’s specific needs.

May, 2016

Now I Get it: Breaking Down Cloud Computing

The cloud is deeply-seated in the way that the modern business handles its day-to-day operations. It’s great for managing access to critical data and applications, making it vastly easier for businesses to optimize operations. With so many great technology innovations revolving around the cloud, how does your business plan on implementing the cloud in 2016?

Types of Cloud Solutions
Implementing the cloud into your existing business model can be complicated, especially if you’re unsure of what you’re looking for in a cloud computing platform. One thing is clear; you need to take all of your options into consideration, and make an educated decision that will benefit the future development of your business. We’ve outlined some basic information about the different types of cloud solutions, as well as why your business may be drawn to them.

Public cloud: The public cloud is a solution that’s designed to maximize efficiency for the user. The management and maintenance of the public cloud is handled by the provider. This is great for businesses that want a hands-off cloud experience at the expense of control over data.
Private cloud: The private cloud is often hosted either in-house or by an outsourced IT provider. As such, they require the proper management and maintenance to ensure functionality. The private cloud is preferred by companies that want to maximize data security and want the most control over their data.
Hybrid cloud: The hybrid cloud is a solid middle ground for users who don’t want to exchange data security for operational efficiency.

What to Consider
Now that you’re familiar with the various types of cloud solutions, you need to decide which one will work best for your organization. Here are some aspects to take into account with your business’s unique cloud needs.

Data security: Businesses that want to maximize data security will appreciate the private cloud. The private cloud allows for additional measures, like secondary hardware-based security solutions, that can maximize the protection of your data.
Access control: If you don’t want that much control over your data, the public cloud is a good choice. However, users who want to maximize access control and role-based user access will want to invest in a private or hybrid cloud.
Management responsibility: Just like other computing hardware and software, a cloud solution requires a certain expertise that should be administered by a qualified IT technician. If you don’t want this responsibility, the public cloud is right for you; though it should be mentioned that a hybrid cloud allows your business to take advantage of the many benefits of both private and public clouds.

If your business wants to fully leverage all that the cloud has to offer, your best chance is to contact NuTech Services at 810.230.9455. We can assist your business with every aspect of your cloud, from implementation to management.

Apr, 2016

Moving to a New Office Building? Make Sure Your Technology is Good to Go!

Moving your office is never an easy task. You have to move furniture, personal objects, and above all else, your technology infrastructure. There’s nothing simple about moving your office’s technology, but it’s still nothing to get worried about. That’s why we’re here to help, from suggesting the optimal network cabling, to the proper deployment of new and improved technology solutions.

For example, let’s take a look at your old (or your current) office. You have a certain number of workstations, one for each of your employees. These workstations need to be connected via cable to your business’s network. Otherwise, your team could go without required software, data, and other important resources. Keep in mind that your cabling infrastructure could quickly grow to be uncontrollable, especially if you don’t approach your cabling procedures in an educated and logical manner.

Another issue that you might encounter comes from equipping everyone with the right communications solutions. The most notable problem is setting up phone lines for everyone who needs them. Adding new lines is far from a simple task, and one which can quickly exceed your budget if it’s not planned out in advance. This also makes adjusting for growth much more difficult, considering you have to add and/or remove lines as needed, making for an expensive investment.

Furthermore, how are you going to move all of your physical files? Chances are that you would much rather make the move without lugging unnecessary items; especially extremely heavy and cumbersome objects like large file cabinets. The problem is that your organization might be torn between keeping the files and getting rid of them, especially if there’s mission-critical data stored somewhere. There may be files you’re required to keep around, plus some that you might not need anymore. It makes sense to take inventory before committing to such a move.

NuTech Services offers several services that are designed to help your business make its move much easier. In fact, our services aren’t just convenient for businesses that are relocating; they’re great for most any SMB that wants to maximize productivity.

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP): With a VoIP solution, your business can take advantage of your Internet connection to make and receive phone calls. Since the only connection you need is to your Internet, you can skip out on the complex cabling required of traditional telephone systems. You still need to keep an eye on your bandwidth, but if you use a NuTech Services-provided solution, we’ll help you ensure that you get the most out of VoIP with minimal incident.
Cloud storage and virtualization: If you’re having trouble providing information to your entire infrastructure, you can use cloud computing and cloud storage to provide access to applications, software, and data required by your employees throughout the workday. Doing this helps you avoid unnecessary cabling and allows for similar data access capabilities. As long as your employees have an Internet connection (say, through a WiFi signal), they’ll be able to connect to the cloud and access information. In other words, they can work from anywhere, leading to more productivity.
Electronic records storage: If your organization is having trouble with file storage, NuTech Services can equip your business with a solution that’s designed to help you eliminate unnecessary physical file storage systems in the office. Instead, you can store your files in a digital, compliant space, that’s optimized for your file’s security. Since your files will be stored digitally and protected with data backup, you’ll be able to quickly get back up to speed without the frustration of filing cabinets.

A new office means a second chance to start over, so why not do your IT the right way? For more information about how we can help your office relocation progress more smoothly, give NuTech Services a call at 810.230.9455.

Nov, 2017

Are You Prepared for Employees to Bring Their Own Devices?

May, 2016

Now I Get it: Breaking Down Cloud Computing

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