Cloud Computing and Disaster Recovery

If you've followed our blog or simply follow technology, you've likely heard about the Cloud.    While most businesses are drawn to the flexibility, scalability, lower costs, and simplicity which the on-demand model provides, there enough unknowns about the cloud to raise questions about security, with just enough headline-making outages to put up red flags about stability.   

When isolated incidents occur such as Amazon’s twin outages this past summer, it increases the concerns about the cloud many customers share.

However, for countless businesses, the cloud does work.  Millions utilize the cloud everyday to streamline communications, increase productivity, and cut costs.  Any concerns about reliability and security are easily drowned by the cloud model's ease of use, quick provisioning, and attractive pricing.  Still, organizations remain cautious about what kind of systems they put in the cloud.  Non-core applications such as messaging and secondary storage are obvious candidates; mission-critical decision applications, not so much.

There are interesting exceptions.  In Houston, with the threat of hurricanes and other natural disasters always looming, many of our clients are recognizing that one of the more compelling use cases for the cloud is to support business continuity and disaster recovery.  The virtual and geographically distributed nature of the cloud model increases redundancy, making it ‘a natural’ to play a role backing up and restoring critical services.  

Our past event this summer focused on disaster recovery; our partners, iLand Cloud Infrastructure promoted the cloud as a solid and very cost-effective option for both larger, highly-distributed enterprise customers and smaller businesses that previously may have gone without an adequate disaster recovery solution.

Many business are seizing the opportunity to use the cloud, and discovering that it can definitely function as a cheaper alternative to more standard back-up solutions.  What do you think?  Would you trust the cloud for disaster recovery?

Want to know more?  Visit our website or call 866-370-7142 and let our cloud consultants find a cloud solution that is tailored to fit your business needs.

~ IS Support

Houston Texans and Cloud Computing

Since our headquarters are in Houston, we like to think of the Texans as our "hometown team," despite the fact that we have Cowboys, Bills, Patriots, and even a Lion's fan frequenting our office.

Last Sunday saw the Texans smash the Tennessee Titans 41-7, to start the season at a 4-3 record.  With Texans fans hungry for a winning season and playoff success, we think that the Houston Texans could apply some cloud computing principals in an alternate universe for more success.

Here are a few benefits of the cloud that could help the Houston Texans as they push for a playoff spot. [editor's note: I am not claiming any of these are rational and/or possible]


1. Reduced Costs  

Cloud computing reduces overall IT costs such as hardware, software and networking management.  In addition, cloud computing offers a pay-as-you-go scale.

With the current NFL salary cap at $120 million dollars, wouldn't the Texans love to save money with the cloud?  I would say, start with WR Jacoby Jones, who's $10 million contract isn't living up to the production (1 TD in 6 games is making is hard for some fans to justify the cost).

2. Disaster Recovery 

Houston is the best at recognizing the importance of having company data stored in the cloud, rather than a server room where hurricanes, fires or power loss can ruin your business's productivity or even worse, lose your memory.  Having a solid backup recovery in the event of a disaster is crucial to your business.


Similarly in the NFL, injuries are a part of the game but it doesn't hurt to have a great disaster recovery plan.  When RB Arian Foster missed two of the Texans first three games, Ben Tate stepped in and filled in admirably as the Texans went 2-1.  With Pro Bowl WR Andre Johnson still out with an injured hamstring, the Texans probably wish they had a similar disaster recovery option at receiver, going 1-2 since Johnson's injury.   Too add another problem, star LB Mario Williams will miss the rest of the season...who will be the backup plan?

3. Remote Access and Mobility 
With the cloud employees, partners and clients can access and update information and files wherever they are.  In today's business environment, staying in communication and in control of responsibilities is vital for employees and with cloud computing, they can access all the information needed to stay efficient and effective away from the office.

The Texans road win at Tennessee was their second road win of the season, but it's interesting to note that Coach Kubiak's road record is currently 14-29 as the Texan's coach.  Imagine a cloud computing environment, where Matt Schaub's passes were just as crisp and accurate in Indianapolis, as in the friendly confines of Reliant Stadium.  Imagine a team that was unfazed by the crowd at Pittsburgh or Baltimore.  When you migrate your systems to cloud computing, it's like having home field advantage anywhere.

With the unofficial midway point at the NFL season, Houston will be alive and electric, hoping for the Texans to make the final push for their first ever playoff appearance.  The fans here at IS Support wish them luck and maybe even remember to apply some "cloud" principles into their team strategy.

Since it's unlikely we will get a call from Coach Kubiak, we'd like to help your business apply cloud computing to your advantage.  If you're interested in how the cloud can help your company grow, please visit our website or call 866-370-7142.

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Assessing Cloud Computing

If you're a company considering migrating to the cloud, your analysis should move beyond the obvious factors such as cost reduction, security and a flexible and scalable infrastructure. Many are also discovering that cloud computing can help them gain speed, increase mobility and be more innovative.

Many IT leaders are also comparing other factors that correlate with cloud adoptions, such as dedicated vs elastic resources; days to provisioning vs instant provisioning; and long-term contracts vs pay-per-use. Such aspects have convinced many businesses to move to the cloud, which signals not only a desire to improve systems and infrastructure, but in a uncertain economic climate, establish necessary technological building blocks for the future.

In particular, SMBs (small to medium sized businesses) are many of the largest beneficiaries of cloud services, since they are void of the legacy systems that often inhibit the adoption of cloud services for large companies.  Many find the platform, infrastructure and software as a way to both enhance their technology and utilize IT as a service, with lower costs.


If would would like to learn more about how cloud computing can help your business in the ways mentioned, IS Support is offering a free analysis of your current infrastructure and ways that you can utilize private, public or hybrid versions of the cloud to personalize a system that works for you.

Call 866-370-7142 or visit our website!