Category Archives: IT Business Services

IT Business Services as discussed for educational and consumer purposes

Manged Services & the Cloud

Managed services has grown out of it’s formative years into a multifaceted solution that can scale to any size business. IT infrastructure can now be managed in a way that allows technicians to access any device belonging to it. Smart phones, network switches, routers, laptops, servers, printers, and the cloud itself can all be managed from a central NOC (Network Operations Center). In this way, a single operating technician can troubleshoot devices anywhere in an organization with the touch of a button.

The tools with which technicians can now utilize include the ability to reload entire operating systems, upgrade firmware & software, reset devices, lock down devices, and implement a variety of other troubleshooting techniques. Technicians rarely if ever need to be on-site any more these days. Some obvious exceptions are when a new piece of technology needs to be physically installed, or components need to be physically replaces, but the days of high-end consultants hanging out on site for days on end are coming… to an end.

“In the cloud” is just a easier way of saying that part of your business is located on a distributed server farm with redundancy and high availability resiliency built into your network, platform, software, or physical server architecture. See? I said there was an easier way to say it …for now think of the cloud as a wire coming from your computer and connecting “out there” to some computer/servers, etc, to deliver the application or data you need.

I’m not really big on info-graphics because I don’t like trendy buzzwords, or trendy ideas that reach pop-culture. I usually run in the other direction, that being said, occasionally I come across an infographic that is cool enough to mention. This one comes from SalesForce. It illustrates several points that I would like to make about the evolution of Managed Services.

cloud-evolution by data.com

Click on the image to see it in full size – image credit goes to salesforce

The use of the cloud to access and control computers and other network attached devices within an interconnected cloud network is nothing new. I remember controlling devices remotely over a cloud network & serving cloud applications for IT purposes as far back as 1997 and I know that the origins of cloud control go back probably to ARPANET days in 1969 and probably further back then that if you consider the operation of traditional mainframes. My point is that it is not new. What is new is the very wide variety of technologies and well defined architectures that are now available for scaled use in nearly every conceivable IT environment on the planet. Cloud computing is accessible for SMBs & SMEs alike. It is indeed available for personal use at an affordable level and sometimes free. Cloud computing is ubiquitous and can be implemented on any level and to any degree.

What does this all mean for you and your business? Well, it means that you can have SaaS (Software as a Service); email, CRM, virtual desktop computing, accounting packages, logistics packages, etc. can now all be run from the cloud which means that updates, maintenance, scaling, & delivery all come from the cloud. High availability, backup, disaster recovery, & continuity can also come from the cloud as we’ll see next.

The Future of Cloud Computing Think Tank, hosted by Dell & VMWare

This infographic is a great illustration of typical discussions surrounding various implementations of cloud computing with providers and customers.

Not only can software now be delivered as a service from the cloud but also your basic IT infrastructure. While workstations, switches, and routers still need to be located on site, they can be managed from the cloud. IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service) allows you to take your servers, backup devices, virtual machines, and place them all in the cloud ie. (data center), and administer them from a centrally. If you oversimplify this mode of computing, you could say that it reflects the old centralized mainframe computing idea whereby all computers act as dumb terminals and receive their data & applications from the mainframe. Ironically, this is not far from the truth, however rather than going full circle, we have spiraled upward and are now reflecting some of the better points of the centralized computing model with many new advantages.

If you refuse the cloud computing model on any level than you are using a distributed model of computer architecture which allows great freedoms and flexibility, but requires a great deal of administrative overhead and has considerable hidden cost of ownership. In reality companies and governments have been using a mix of centralized and distributed computer models for the past 30 years or so. The most difficult thing for organizations to decide moving forward is what mixture of computing models is right for them. Affordability, flexibility, ROI, cost of ownership, security considerations, and a plethora of other factors are all on the table for business owners to contemplate. Most decision makers will find it helpful to work with an IT firm that can demonstrate the costs, benefits, opportunities, and integration plans for any IT infrastructure changes. Not all IT solutions providers are the same. Take your time and choose carefully, it can mean the difference between success & failure for your business.

 

 

 

TriYoung Knows IT Services is “Big Business”

     Now that the 21st Century is well anchored in time, “It’s not your Grandpa’s business world” is a reality we all must accept, even those of us who consider ourselves “technological dinosaurs.” And, because by attending to our business we can’t possibly keep up with all of the changes in the world of technology, the idea of seeking an IT Services company has become a necessity and not a luxury!

“To give you some idea of just how big the Computer Services business is,” Julie Young of TriYoung Business Solutions, Inc. in Glendale, Arizona, who specializes in IT Services shared, “you need only consider that in 2013 Global tech spending is forecasted to hit $3.8 billion!”

This represents a 4.1% increase over last year.  A partial breakdown of these numbers show that IT Services spending will increase by 4.5% to some $918 billion; Data Center Systems expenditures will jump to $146 billion, up 3.7% and monies spent on Devices will rise 7.9% to $718 billion.

“With that kind of money being spent, it’s not surprising that IT Services companies are becoming a major player in the world market as well,” Young pointed out.

Young’s comment is supported by the fact that Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), a Netherlands-based IT Services firm, has just been named Europe’s top company to work for in 2013.

“We are pleased to have rated the foremost employer across Europe,” D.P. Nambiar of TCS stated.  Nambiar cited the fact that employees are the greatest assets of any company, and TCS has worked diligently to retain their key personnel.

While most of us are not in the market for a firm the size of TCS, we do want to find a firm that meets our needs.  That’s why we need to arm ourselves with as much information and knowledge as we can when we make our choice.
“There are several things you will want to keep in mind during your search,” Young suggested, “including the scope of IT services you are hoping to have provided.”

She was, of course, referring to such issues as IT Consulting; IT Solutions: IT Support; and Business Continuity Planning.  To assist you in your search for an IT Services company, consider the following points:

  • Identify your IT outsourcing goals up front
  • Decide which type of IT Services provider is best suited for your company
  • Don’t let ROI be your only concern
  • Remember that “industry expertise” is not necessarily an advantage
  • Verify “compatibility” between your firm and your IT Services provider

“Unfortunately,” Young said, a pang of regret obvious in her voice, “not everyone in our industry is as scrupulous as one would hope.  So, make sure are choosing a company that has your best interest in mind.”

Young suggested three questions you will want to ask yourself each time an IT Services provider presents a proposal to you:

  • Does the solution suggested actually address a need or issue that I have?
  • How does this technology apply to my business?
  • Will this technology help me generate more business by increasing revenue or productivity?

If you have questions regarding how you can benefit through the efforts of a IT Services provider you may want to contact TriYoung Solutions at 602-424-1700 and Julie and her staff would be happy to assist you in determining the things that you might be lacking with your current IT Solutions program .

To learn more about TriYoung Solutions, go to:

www.triyoung.com

To learn more about this topic go to:

Global tech spending forecast to hit $3.8 trillion in 2013

Now, TCS ranked best employer in Europe

How to Spot an IT Services Provider with an Agenda, Part 1

How to Spot an IT Services Provider with an Agenda, Part 2

Article written by Floyd Allen, professional writer for TriYoung Business Solutions