tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5976686513564131325.post7701078390446244646..comments2024-03-17T15:34:05.492-06:00Comments on MPECS Inc. Blog: A balanced work ethic? SBS helps at work and homePhilip Elder Cluster MVPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06082028960643490292noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5976686513564131325.post-60733021584565991942008-10-25T22:34:00.000-06:002008-10-25T22:34:00.000-06:00Robert,For many small business clients, I can see ...Robert,<BR/><BR/>For many small business clients, I can see that to be the case ... depending on their sensitivity to retraining costs.<BR/><BR/>In our case, most of our clients have extremely sensitive data on their networks ... we have signed many an NDA as a result. From health related info through to law and accounting firms, the cloud is not the answer. And that is where we reside for the most part.<BR/><BR/>Microsoft offering Exchange and SharePoint in the cloud is all fine and dandy, but lets see them offer us the full meal deal: Remote Web Workplace with RDP to a customized desktop with GP restrictions in place per user.<BR/><BR/>We still have an avenue as a cloud provider for those clients that require a particular setup.<BR/><BR/>That is the market we decided to pursue and as a result, we are not too concerned about the cloud and its presence ... yet. A lot has to be seen as far as where the dice fall.<BR/><BR/>We here in Alberta will be insulated from the downturn to a good degree because we provide a very significant chunk of the USA's oil. Things are still moving along as long as the Provincial government doesn't muck things up ... and people keep their heads about them.<BR/><BR/>PhilipPhilip Elder Cluster MVPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06082028960643490292noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5976686513564131325.post-70365718055657273992008-10-25T22:24:00.000-06:002008-10-25T22:24:00.000-06:00Phil,I agree with what you say but in my experienc...Phil,<BR/><BR/>I agree with what you say but in my experience customers are moving to the cloud in droves. Sure they won't read the T&C's but most are pretty happy with the value they receive.<BR/><BR/>Given the economic conditions I believe we are going to see a greater move towards doing things via 'free' services. Sure they aren't pretty, sure they may lack the singularity of SBS but you can't beat the price.<BR/><BR/>So do you consider Microsoft offering Exchange, Sharepoint, etc in the cloud acceptable? If they offer them in SBS isn't what they offer in the cloud the same since we trust Microsoft to provide us SBS?<BR/><BR/>In my books clients just want access to their stuff. They don't care where that stuff is, they want access to it. That means the infrastructure becomes immaterial.<BR/><BR/>Just my opinion.<BR/><BR/>Thanks<BR/>Robert CraneAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5976686513564131325.post-24864682213393199772008-10-25T21:37:00.000-06:002008-10-25T21:37:00.000-06:00Robert,Your opinion is appreciated! :)One more thi...Robert,<BR/><BR/>Your opinion is appreciated! :)<BR/><BR/>One more thing when it comes to the cloud and any online apps: I go through the T&Cs with a fine tooth comb.<BR/><BR/>If I don't like what I see in the way of wording being too vague around critical items such as content, ownership of said content, and privacy or I need a lawyer to interpret the T&Cs I walk away.<BR/><BR/>I have seen way too many "free" services that bury their right to whatever content is posted/used on their services.<BR/><BR/>It would be my preference to pay for the service if their T&C leaves sole right to me.<BR/><BR/>PhilipPhilip Elder Cluster MVPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06082028960643490292noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5976686513564131325.post-57906826845739221912008-10-25T21:28:00.000-06:002008-10-25T21:28:00.000-06:00Robert,I am personally not comfortable with Google...Robert,<BR/><BR/>I am personally not comfortable with Google's Terms and Conditions.<BR/><BR/>Live, maybe, but I need to look through their T&Cs too.<BR/><BR/>As far as the cloud is concerned, SBS gives me a one-stop-shop for all of my remote connectivity needs. The only way to get that is to go to SBS hosting in the cloud. Since we are setting up to do that for our small-small business clients a la SPLA, the point in that regard is a bit on the moot side. ;)<BR/><BR/>But, if I value my time at say $100/hr, and I look at all of the features listed in this blog post and subsequently the search for the right cloud app or apps that would meet my needs exactly as SBS does, how much time do I need to put into that for <I>each</I> component of SBS?<BR/><BR/>I doubt "free" would give me the whole enchelada. So, the cost to me in the form of time would be rather expensive relative to having everything in the one spot with SBS.<BR/><BR/>I do believe that the cloud has a place in our network infrastructure futures. I do not believe that the cloud will be a one-stop-shop for everyone. Those that need rather specialized setups will still look to local setups, or perhaps a hybrid depending on everything from Internet connection to Line of Business Apps.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for the comment,<BR/><BR/>PhilipPhilip Elder Cluster MVPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06082028960643490292noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5976686513564131325.post-89592260526620734172008-10-25T20:39:00.000-06:002008-10-25T20:39:00.000-06:00Agreed but I would say that many other technologie...Agreed but I would say that many other technologies can now provide the "balance" of which you speak not merely SBS. In reality isn't what you are talking about 'cloud computing'? Because SBS resources are available remotely (ie in the cloud) this is what makes them useful.<BR/><BR/>There are just so many applications available (most for free) these days 'in the cloud' that if you aren't using them then well you are going the way of the dinosaur!<BR/><BR/>Sure SBS stuff is great but so is stuff like Google Apss, Windows Live and so on. Why does someone need a server on site these days to achieve balance? Just give me a connection to the Internet and I'll browse to Shangra-la.<BR/><BR/>Just an opinion.<BR/><BR/>Thanks<BR/>Robert CraneAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com