Small Business Technology Tour Atlanta - http://www.smallbiztechtour.com

1. Cloud Computing
Software As A Service
SaaS
Hosted Applications

2. Three Types Of Cloud Services
• Infrastructure - clusters or virtualized servers, networks, storage and
systems software designed to augment or replace the functions of an entire
data center.
• Platform - Provides virtualized servers on which users can run existing
applications or develop new ones without having to worry about maintaining
the operating systems, server hardware, load balancing or computing capacity
• Software - SaaS provides all the functions of a sophisticated traditional
application, but through a Web browser, not a locally-installed application

3. Cloud Computing 101
• More productivity
• Save money
• Less hassle
• Others manage the tech stuff. You run your
business.

4. What Is It?
• No software installed on a computer
• All software is accessed on a remote server

5. What are the benefits
• Easier and faster upgrades
• Quickly scale
• Fast implementation – only a browser
• Data is backed up and secure

6. How to choose the right vendor
• Track record of success
• Years in business
• Who uses them
• What are their security systems
• How fast can you access your data
• Is your data hostage

7. Barrier to entry for SaaS Is Low –
Be Careful

8. Is cloud computing for everyone?
• Most small businesses yes
• Some might choose to have their own on
premise server

9. How to have successful cloud service
• Fast and reliable internet connection
• Reliable vendor
• Does the solution meet 80% of your needs

10. Integration of cloud services
• One cloud service can speak to another
through API’s
• Easier to transfer data – less data entry

12. Cloud Services for Small Business
• Your phone system (Ring Central, Grasshopper, Verizon)
• Your office suite (Microsoft Office 365, Google Apps, Zoho)
• Your file sharing (Dropbox, SugarSync, Mozy, Egnyte)
• Your finances (Quickbooks Online, Outright, Freshbooks)
• Your CRM & Contact Management (Infusionsoft, SalesLogix,
ACT!)
• Your Security (Symantec, Carbonite, others)

13. Cloud Security
• Have complex passwords and change them
regularly
• Audit your data (is data missing?)
• Review your vendors

14. A few more tips
• Educate yourself and your staff - learn more
than the basics of your cloud services
• Can your cloud services integrate with other
services or data sources (no information silos)

15. ….and a bit more
• Cloud computing comes alive with mobile
technology
• Test cloud computing services (did that
Dropbox file sync?)
• Free is not always the best
• Don’t have too many redundant services

16. Some Cloud Services…