The Cloud and Modern Business Computing in 2020 Is a Cloud Solution Always a Perfect Fit?

It’s 2020 and all the rage is about computing in the cloud and intelligent business software vendors offering new services and integrations seamlessly to help manage your business promising the ability to access your dashboard effortless from anywhere in the world with your aggregated data and all you need is an internet connection. But is it worth it, what’s the catch? The questions a business owner asks themselves are things like, what if my Internet connection goes out? What if they lose my data? Am I tied to this service for eternity? These are all questions worthy of asking when deciding if a cloud solution is right for your company. Sometimes, where Internet connectivity is poor or frequently disconnects, this option may not be a wise fit. It’s best that a business analyzes the current internal operations and internet service. If moving to a cloud based solution, it’s important to implement backup solutions should the Internet fail. Pueblo Tech can install fail over router networks that use a wireless source of Internet like 4G, where common wired Cable or DSL connections can prove unreliable. Before adopting any cloud based computing solution which stores your valuable data or enables your company to make sales, a business owner may want to investigate how easy it is to pull the data out of the software in case your business outgrows the current solution and it needs to be migrated to a different software. The choices made when going with any business-enhancing cloud software can make or break a business growth potential. Some companies depending on size and how employees operate may not notice any kind of benefit from a cloud based system. In fact, sometimes physical software can be a significant advantage in both reliability and cost. The best option in 2020 is software that uses the best of both worlds. In the evolving tech industry this term is called hybrid architectures, where data is shared between local databases but also stored on cloud databases which log each time a database row is edited preventing disastrous conflicts yet providing the speed and connectivity you need to do business intelligently and reliably.  We need complex database architecture systems when working with multi site locations, with massive amounts of data being exchanged. Think of “Big Box Store”. Small to medium sized business can benefit from a cloud based solution with a centralized server, or “Software as a service” (SAAS) A small to medium sized business can often get by with a popular one-size-fits-all, cloud hosted software providers when they need mobile flexibility or remote workers, or do not mind being locked into a certain feature set. Often these SAAS based packages work fine for the average business. Here’s the catch with the software services you’re subscribing to, the question is does the software have an “offline mode” so you can use the software to some extent if an Internet connection is lost? If not, this can make cloud solutions not so fluffy anymore. In fact these kinds of limitations that tie you down to an active internet connection could be disastrous. Finding the right software with the capabilities and must haves is where Pueblo Tech’s consulting services comes in. If your business wants to forge a new path and unify their data or if you have a vision of consolidating your data but you’re unsure of the route to go Pueblo Tech can help you make the right moves.

Are (VPN) Virtual Private Networks Still Relevant?

The days of VPN and desktop based software are still relevant and will probably not disappear for a long time to come. Many custom applications with data going back several years cannot be reasonably abandoned without a major investment, but as an operating system reaches the end of life these computer systems become more vulnerable and can break down overtime without the human resources needed to maintain them. In other words, we’ll just call them “OBSOLETE”. Remote desktop software has made these kinds of situations easier to deal with in the event you need remote access, the only negative side effect is if the PC is physically shutoff or there is a demand for physical intervention. Virtualized environments, domain servers, are still serving a purpose and are popular among larger institutions or corporations, many of the tools they need rely on a mix of proprietary desktop software and internet-based applications combined. There are ways you can remotely boot the PC or interact with smart KVM units in the event of power failures if the machine is mission critical Pueblo Tech can offer remote solutions second to none ensuring optimal up-time and less down time from systems which are unreachable because of power failures. The one disadvantage to a “self hosted solution” is the fact you are responsible for data backups, you’re also responsible for the security and maintenance of servers and or operating systems on client computers and its associated networks. The maintenance cost of a browser application subscription can be significantly less if you consider upgrades to be seamless. Often times small business software relies on IT persons or internal staff to keep desktop versions updated and with Windows updates sometimes the unthinkable can happen and it can break desktop based software. Another important aspect is the fact that many desktop software systems require seats or licenses, which can cost hundreds of dollars per user, seat, or license. Many SAAS based solutions offer seamless upgrades, and less maintenance whereas desktop purchase to own based software can offer new versions several years later forcing you to upgrade taking a huge financial hit. The idea behind cloud based software varies by vendor, but typically you’re either paying per user or one lump sum per month for infinite users. 

The best software solution for a growing business

If your enterprise or business can afford it, the best option heading forward will be a software and hardware environment that plays well with others. The best move any business can make is having software that works for them instead of software that just kind of works and gets you by. Every business operates differently and has different needs or requirements to achieve the over-site and automated business intelligence to drive their vision further. With the help of modern api integrations and tools, your company can see exactly where the money goes where its assets are, and help you outpace competitors. Choosing the right software and forming solutions can be a daunting task. Let us help!