This document discusses deploying the Abila MIP nonprofit accounting software in a private cloud. It outlines the benefits of a private cloud, such as increased reliability, security, scalability, and around-the-clock access to the software and data from any device. Moving to a private cloud allows an organization to focus on its mission rather than managing IT infrastructure. The document provides factors for nonprofits to consider when deciding whether a private cloud deployment of Abila MIP would provide benefits that justify the costs.

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PRIVATE CLOUD AS A COST
EFFECTIVE DEPLOYMENT
OPTION
EVERYTHING YOU EVER WANTEDTO KNOWABOUT
CLOUD-BASED SOFTWARE FORABILAMIPFUND
ACCOUNTING
Kevin M. Massey, CPA
NonProfit Technologies, Inc.
kevin@cpaz.com
Grant Howe, Vice President
Research and Development
Abila, Inc.
grant.howe@abila.com

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SESSION OBJECTIVES
 Explain what the cloud is specifically in the context of Abila MIP.
 Cost/benefit: Provide you with information that will help you determine
if hosting your Abila MIP system in the cloud makes sense for your
organization.

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ABOUT NONPROFIT TECHNOLOGIES
 Abila Partner since 1998
 Cloud provider since 2001
 Over 1,000 Abila MIP clients
 Over 200 hosted Abila MIP clients (over 2,300 users)
 Abila Development Partner
 Microsoft Gold Certified Partner

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BEYOND THE BROWSER
Its not just about the Internet browser, its about your data.
What are my options?

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PRIVATE CLOUD IS ABOUT YOUR DATA
 Secure access from anywhere
 Secure and regular backups
 Anytime, anywhere access from many devices and interfaces

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WHAT IS THE CLOUD?
This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.

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WHAT IS THE CLOUD?
Cloud computing is the use of computing resources (hardware and
software) that are delivered as a service over a network (typically the
Internet). The name comes from the use of a cloud-shaped symbol as an
abstraction for the complex infrastructure it contains in system diagrams.
Cloud computing entrusts remote services with a user's data, software and
computation.
- From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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COMPUTING RESOURCES
Use of computing resources (hardware and software) that are delivered as
a service over a network (typically the Internet)

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WHERE IS MY SERVER?
You just can’t hug a cloud server
Example of “blackbox” server
Image courtesy of tomshardware.com
“I am the cloud”
Inside a server container

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WHERE IS MY SERVER?
“Trailer Park” Roofless Cloud datacenter concept
Image courtesy of tomshardware.com

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WHAT IS THE PRIVATE CLOUD?
Cloud computing entrusts remote services with a user's data, software and
computation.
 Essentially, you are outsourcing the management of your Abila MIP
software to trusted service provider

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BENEFITS OF A PRIVATE CLOUD
 Agility
 Cost
 Device and location independence
 Reliability (disaster recovery)
 Scalability and elasticity
 Performance
 Security (compliance/privacy)
 Maintenance

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Browser-based application
Software required on workstation?
Server managed by team of
professionals?
Server in the cloud?
Is that included with Windows?
Abila MIP
Option to purchase license vs.
renting software?
Option to install product on-premise
at a later date if my needs change?
ABILA MIP PRIVATE CLOUD

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ABILA MIP IN A BROWSER

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ABILA MIP ON MOBILE

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ABILA MIP ON ATABLET

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ABILA MIP IN THE CLOUD
 No more servers, backups, maintenance, upgrades, etc.
 Use Abila MIP from any device, anytime, from anywhere.
 Sleep well knowing that your software and data will be safe, secure,
and available when you need it.

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WHAT IS MY ROI?
 The answer is, it depends.
 Compared to what?
 How much more am I accomplishing/gaining as a result of this
investment?

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PRIVATE CLOUD VS. TYPICAL ON-PREMISE
On-premise
Physical location
Responsible for
maintenance
Servers
Private Cloud
Server room in your office
You or your IT staff
Stand alone Windows Server
Commercial Data Center
Survive natural disasters
Redundant:
- Power (generators)
- Data (internet)
- Heating / AC
- Physical security
Team of certified professionals:
Abila MIP
Microsoft
Citrix
Firewall / Security
Virtual servers
Hosted on redundant physical hosts
Utilize SAN storage
No single point of failure
Automatic failover

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DECISION TREE
 Does the cloud offer a higher level of service than my current
infrastructure?
 Will my organization benefit from the cloud?
 Is that benefit justified by the cost of moving to the cloud?

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SUMMARY
 There are many benefits to moving your Abila MIP system to a private
cloud.
 The decision must be made in the context of the additional services
provided and not cost alone.
 A private cloud allows you to focus on your business of achieving your
organizations mission.

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ABILA MIP IS AVAILABLE IN THE CLOUD
You don’t have to be a technology expert to make smart
software decisions.
If you would like to hear more about Abila in the Cloud, talk to your partner
or Abila account manager about what solutions are right for you!