Author: Mike Guttridge

Cloud Backup vs. In-House Backup for Small Businesses

Post author By Mike Guttridge
Post date January 5, 2023

Backup is an essential part of any business. It helps protect data from being lost due to accidents, disasters, and other unforeseeable events. Small businesses can find it difficult to decide whether to use in-house or cloud backup. We’ll be discussing the pros and cons for small businesses of using cloud backup or in-house backup.

Cloud Backup

Cloud backup is a form of data backup that stores data on remote servers. This usually happens over the internet. Cloud backup is a great option for small businesses.

Benefits of Cloud Backup for Small Businesses

Cost savings: Cloud backup is more affordable than in-house backup. You only pay for what you use, and you don’t need to buy and maintain any hardware or software.

Easy use: Cloud backup solutions can be set up quickly and are easy to use, making them an attractive option for small businesses.

Scalability: Cloud backup makes it easy to scale up and down storage, without the need to buy additional hardware.

Security: Many cloud backup services offer advanced security features such as encryption or multi-factor authentication.

Cloud Backup Drawbacks for Small Businesses

Dependence on the internet connection: Cloud backup is dependent on an internet connection. This can cause problems if your internet service goes down or becomes unreliable.

Limited control: You have limited control concerning the underlying cloud architecture, which can pose issues for some small businesses.

In-House Backup

In-house backup is the storage of data on local hardware such as external hard drives and servers. An in-house backup is a great option for small businesses if your business can support the required infrastructure and cost (see How Small Businesses can Budget for IT Properly).

Benefits of In-House Backup for Small Businesses

Control: You have full control over the data you store and maintain with in-house backup

Security: In-house backup can be more secure than the cloud version because you are in complete control of the hardware and software that stores your data and can implement additional security measures.

You don’t have to rely on your internet connection for data access: In-house backup is available and can be very helpful in the event of an unreliable internet connection.

Drawbacks to In-House Backups

Cost: In-house backup is more costly than cloud backup because you need to buy and maintain the hardware and software required to store your data.

Maintenance: Maintaining an in-house backup system requires regular maintenance, which can prove costly and time-consuming.

Scalability: It is more difficult to scale your storage with an in-house backup. You will need to buy additional hardware when you need it.

Conclusion

Small businesses have the choice of cloud backup or in-house backup. Each has its own benefits and drawbacks. The decision about which backup type to use depends on your specific business priorities and needs. Cloud backup is often the correct choice for businesses that don’t have the existing infrastructure or funds to implement their own backup systems. In-house backup is often preferable for large organizations that are aware of the requirements to properly implement a backup system. Either system works well, but the business should take into account its options before jumping into the deep end.

General

Why is it a Good Idea to Start a Business in Canada?

Post author By Mike Guttridge
Post date January 4, 2023

Canada is a great place to start a business. Canada’s strong economy, skilled workforce, supportive business environment and great reputation can all help to make a business a success. We’ll be discussing the top reasons to open a Canadian business.

Economically Advantageous

Canada’s strong economy is one of the greatest advantages to starting a business. Canada boasts a diverse and stable economy with many industries, including manufacturing, natural resource, and service. This can be a strong foundation for new businesses to succeed. Canada also has a low unemployment rate, and a skilled workforce. This can be a great resource for companies looking to hire talented workers.

Supportive Business Environment

Canada’s supportive business environment is another reason to open a business. Canadian government supports small businesses and entrepreneurs with a variety of resources and programs to assist new businesses. The Canadian government offers small business loans and grants, and mentorship and training programs for entrepreneurs to help them develop the skills and knowledge they need.

Canada has many initiatives to encourage innovation and entrepreneurship, in addition to financial support. These include research and development tax credits that can be used to help companies invest in new technologies. There are also incubator and accelerator programs that offer mentorship and support for early-stage startups.

National Infrastructure

Canada’s infrastructure and transport network are another benefit to starting a business. Canada’s transportation infrastructure, including roads and railways, is well-developed. This makes it easy for businesses to transport goods and material across the country. Canada also has a reliable and modern telecommunications network that can prove crucial for businesses who rely on the internet or other digital technologies.

Quality of Life

Canada’s quality of life is second to none. It has a welcoming culture that can make it a desirable place for entrepreneurs to live, work, and play. Canada is diverse and inclusive, and has a high standard for living and strong sense of community. Canada is a great place for starting a business or building a rewarding career.

Final Words

Canada’s strong economy, supportive environment for business, and high quality life can make it a great place to start a business. Canada’s diverse industries, skilled workforce and modern infrastructure make it a great place for entrepreneurs to succeed.

Cloud Computing

Cloud Computing Basics for Beginners

Post author By Mike Guttridge
Post date January 4, 2023

Cloud computing concept: Cloud Technology on digital background

Cloud computing allows you to access, store and process data via the internet, instead of using local computers or servers. This involves the use of remote servers (or “the cloud”) to perform computing, storage, and data processing. While cloud computing may seem like it can be very confusing, the basics are fairly simple to grasp. Below you will find a short guide about cloud computing basics for beginners to help you get started off on the right foot.

Benefits of Cloud Computing

Cloud computing has many benefits. One is the ability to access data and applications from any device that has an internet connection. Users can access their data from any device with an internet connection, including a laptop, desktop, smartphone, or tablet. This makes cloud computing beneficial for work from home, or remote work. Cloud computing can also be cheaper than traditional IT infrastructure. Cloud computing allows users to pay only for what they use and not for expensive hardware or software. This is especially useful for small businesses that may not have the funds to invest in their IT infrastructure.

Another benefit of cloud computing is that it offers flexibility, which allows users to increase or decrease their resources based on their requirements. Cloud computing allows businesses to scale up their resources quickly to meet increased traffic.

Related: Learn how Vincovi’s Business IT Solutions in Calgary can help your business

Cloud Computing Services

Infrastructure as a Service: This type of cloud computing service gives users access to infrastructure such as storage, servers, networking, and networking that they can use to create and run their own apps.

Platform as a Service: This type of cloud computing service offers a platform (such as an operating system and database) that users can use to create and deploy their own apps.

Software as a Service: This cloud computing service gives users access to software applications that they can access over the internet. Instead of installing and running these applications on their computers, it allows them to use the services from anywhere.

Cloud computing is typically used by users who sign up for cloud computing services with a provider such as Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud. The provider provides the infrastructure and the users have access to the resources and services through the internet.

Types of Cloud Computing

Public cloud: This model of cloud computing uses the resources of a third party provider. These resources are shared between multiple users.

Private cloud: This model of cloud computing uses the resources of one organization and does not share them with others.

Hybrid cloud: This hybrid cloud model combines both public and private clouds. Organizations can take advantage of the advantages of both.

Cloud Security

Cloud computing can also pose security risks as users rely on the provider’s security measures to protect their data. Cloud providers usually have stringent security measures in place to address these concerns. These include data encryption, security audits, and access controls. Additionally, some services provide cloud backup services (see cloud backup vs in-house backup) that can more easily administer a robust data backup system.

Final Words

Cloud computing offers a flexible and powerful way to access, store and process data and applications via the internet. Cloud computing can be cheaper and more scalable than traditional IT infrastructure and is available through many services and models. Cloud computing services can present security risks and need to be considered by users.

Cloud Computing

4 Types of Cloud Computing Services and How They Can Help Your Business

Post author By Mike Guttridge
Post date January 4, 2023

Cloud computing allows users to access computing resources via the internet and not have to install or maintain them locally. There are many types of cloud computing. Each type has its own benefits and characteristics. We’ll be looking at the most important types of cloud computing in this article.

Infrastructure as a Service

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) is a type of cloud computing that gives users access to computing infrastructure such as servers, storage, and networking resources. IaaS allows users to rent resources as a pay-as-you-go service, instead of having to buy and maintain them locally. Businesses can access resources cost-effectively by only paying for what they use.

Platform as a Service

Platform as a Service (PaaS) is a type of cloud computing that gives users access to a platform to develop, test, and deploy applications. PaaS provides a complete development environment that includes tools and frameworks as well as infrastructure resources like servers and storage. Developers can use PaaS to quickly build and deploy apps. They don’t need to worry about maintaining and setting up the infrastructure.

Software as a Service

Software as a Service (SaaS), is a form of cloud computing that provides software applications via the internet. SaaS allows users to access and use software applications via a subscription, and without the need to install or maintain them locally. Businesses can access the software they require in a cost-effective and convenient way. They only pay for what they use.

Functions as a Service

Functions as a Service (FaaS), a type of cloud computing, allows users to execute specific code functions in response. FaaS can be used with event-driven architectures. Code functions are activated by events like the arrival of new information or the completion of tasks. Businesses can build and deploy applications in a flexible, scalable manner with FaaS. They only pay for what they use.

Cloud Computing Benefits

Cloud computing offers many benefits, including:

Cost savings: Cloud computing is a cost-saving tool that allows businesses to lower their IT costs. They only pay for what they use, and they don’t need to buy or maintain them locally.

Scalability: Businesses can scale up and down their resources easily using cloud computing without the need to buy or install additional hardware.

Flexibility: Cloud computing gives businesses flexibility by allowing them to access and use resources anywhere and at any time. See how cloud computing helps with work from home.

Security: Cloud computing providers often offer advanced security measures to protect data and resources. Read more about cybersecurity tips for small businesses.

Conclusion

Cloud computing allows users to access computing resources via the internet. There are many types of cloud computing: Infrastructure as a Service, Platform as a Service, and Software as a Service. Functions as a Service is another option. Cloud computing has many benefits including cost savings, flexibility, security, and scalability.

Managed IT Services

Why Complete Managed IT Services Are Crucial for Successful Businesses

Post author By Mike Guttridge
Post date December 28, 2022

As a business owner or manager, you are constantly looking for ways to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and stay competitive. One area that can have a significant impact on these goals is information technology (IT). Many businesses opt to manage their own IT systems, but there are several reasons why it can be beneficial to use a complete managed IT service (see our managed IT services guide) instead.

First and foremost, managed IT services provide expertise and resources that may not be available in-house. IT professionals who work for managed service providers have the knowledge and experience to handle a wide range of technology issues and projects. They can provide the expertise needed to design, implement, and maintain complex IT systems and can also offer guidance on the latest technologies and best practices.

Another key benefit of managed IT services is that they allow businesses to focus on their core competencies. Managing IT in-house can be time-consuming and require dedicated staff, which can take away from other important tasks. By outsourcing IT management to a managed service provider, businesses can free up time and resources to focus on their core business functions.

Related: Learn about our Managed IT Services and Support in BC

Managed IT services can also provide cost savings for businesses. Instead of hiring and training IT staff, businesses can access the expertise they need on an as-needed basis. Managed service providers typically offer a range of pricing plans, so businesses can choose the level of support that best fits their needs and budget. Additionally, managed IT services often provide proactive maintenance and monitoring, which can help prevent costly downtime and reduce the need for emergency repairs.

Another advantage of managed IT services is that they offer scalability. As businesses grow and change, their IT needs may change as well. With a managed IT service, businesses can easily scale up or down as needed, without the need to hire or lay off additional staff. This can be especially beneficial for businesses that experience seasonal fluctuations or have unpredictable IT needs.

Finally, managed IT services can provide improved security and compliance. Cybersecurity threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated and can have serious consequences for businesses. Managed IT service providers have the resources and expertise to implement and maintain strong security measures, such as firewalls, antivirus software, and multi-factor authentication. They can also help businesses stay compliant with industry regulations and data privacy laws.

In summary, managed IT services offer businesses a range of benefits, including expertise, cost savings, scalability, and improved security and compliance. By outsourcing IT management to a managed service provider, businesses can focus on their core competencies and take advantage of the latest technologies and best practices, without the time and cost of managing IT in-house.

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