Data Sheet: Symantec.cloud
Are You Ready For the Cloud?
Five Questions to Help Small Businesses Decide if They're Ready to Take the Leap
Overview
You’ve heard about cloud computing, and may have wondered what is it exactly, and what it can mean for your business. The
simple answer is that cloud computing is anything that involves delivering hosted services over the Internet. In fact, you may
already perform some of your business functions in the cloud, including website hosting, email applications, Google Apps™, or
even Salesforce.com®.
You may have seen references to categories of cloud-based computing such as Software as a Service (Saas) or Infrastructure as
a Service (IaaS). SaaS means that software you would normally install on your computer is instead delivered via the Internet.
IaaS is where you rent space in a data center and use a provider’s servers instead of buying new hardware to run your business.
With all the services available, there is an opportunity to move your entire business to the cloud. However, most small
businesses are opting for a hybrid solution with some data or applications in the cloud and some remaining on company
premises.
By moving to the cloud, small businesses are reaping big benefits, including:
• Co
Cosst sa
savings
vings—Lower per computer and per server maintenance costs because you pay for what you use and can purchase
additional capacity on demand
• Flexibilit
Flexibilityy and manageabilit
manageabilityy—Scalable storage options offer additional capacity as needed and platforms can be
automatically updated and adapted to the changing needs of the business
• Speed and agilit
agilityy—Skilled vendors and a common infrastructure allow rapid deployment of changes and remote access
allows work to be done anywhere a web browser is available
• Increased business ffocus
ocus—Cloud computing saves time, allowing you to focus on your core business and customers
• Added data pro
protection
tection—Improved data security and system reliability, especially for small businesses with aging
computers or data stored on hard drives that are not backed up regularly
Are You Ready?
Now that you know what cloud computing is and what it can do for small businesses, we have compiled five questions to help
you decide if the cloud is right for you:
1. Do you find it difficult to budget ffor
or technolog
technologyy purchases?
By turning to the cloud, small companies can achieve a significantly lower total cost of ownership for their IT resources. There
is no need to purchase software licenses or expensive servers. Maintenance issues such as downed servers or outdated
software, and the costs associated with them, become negligible since your cloud services provider is responsible for
maintaining the hardware and software. Add in the cost of physical floor space to house multiple servers, plus the electricity
required to run them, and cloud services begin to look rather attractive.
In addition, cloud computing can be priced according to your usage of software or storage. If you need to ramp up and hire 10
new employees who need 10 new online software licenses, your cloud computing vendor can quickly and easily scale up. When
you need to scale back down, it is just as easy to reduce the number of online software licenses.
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Data Sheet: Symantec.cloud
Are You Ready For the Cloud?
2. Are you sstrug
truggling
gling to manage your individual computers and net
network
work infras
infrastructure?
tructure?
It is not uncommon for a small business to be running the email, website, file storage, backup, security management, finance,
and accounting programs all on one server that is being managed by an overworked IT manager. Compare that situation to an
application delivered securely over the Internet, hosted on a server farm with the latest equipment, and managed and
maintained around the clock by IT experts. In this case, an unexpected boost in traffic to your website will not slow down your
entire network as it might with server-based, on-premise applications. Your provider responds in the moment with potentially
higher service levels and functional expertise.
One of the benefits of a cloud computing infrastructure is that client computers require less software, resulting in fewer
conflicts and crashes. The cloud services work independently so software update conflicts are not a concern.
In-house IT departments often struggle to keep up with the latest best practices. Imagine having a cloud services vendor
support your company’s low-level infrastructure, eliminating mundane maintenance challenges and freeing your IT resources
to focus on higher-value IT services for the business. Simultaneously, you free up your network, allowing those tools remaining
onsite to perform better.
3. Is it difficult ffor
or you to k
keep
eep up with current trends such as mobilit
mobility,
y, or implement changes to your infras
infrastructure?
tructure?
Because the bulk of hardware, software, security, and maintenance are managed by the cloud services vendor, a cloud-based
infrastructure is flexible and responsive, allowing you to leverage new capabilities and implement changes quickly and easily.
New software, security updates, or hardware appliances can all be provided to benefit users at a much faster rate than most inhouse IT departments could hope to achieve. In the cloud, speedy deployment and swift adoption are the norm.
In addition, accommodating an increasingly mobile workforce becomes a cinch when your company’s applications and
resources are hosted online. Your users simply connect through a Web browser from a desktop, remote laptop, or mobile device
to access the full power of your online network.
Cloud-based computing also enables collaboration between and among employees, allowing colleagues to work on documents
or manage projects simultaneously. Meetings can be arranged easily due to a variety of virtual meeting services.
Finally, cloud-based applications often integrate with one another easily. Robust Application Programming Interface (API) and
integration tools tie many online software solutions together, allowing, for example, Salesforce CRM™ software to interact with
social media tools or connect billing services to bookkeeping software with just a few clicks.
4. Do you wish you had more time to ffocus
ocus on your business?
A cloud computing infrastructure frees your time, allowing you to focus on your core business. With fewer servers to manage
and fewer client computers failing, you’ll have time to build competitive strategies that give your company the tools and
processes it needs to grow.
Many companies think a good IT department is one that’s fixing computers, securing networks, and ensuring the Voice over
Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone system is working. However, a great IT department is really one that helps its business
strategically use technology to advance the overall company goals.
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Data Sheet: Symantec.cloud
Are You Ready For the Cloud?
5. Do you need to pro
protect
tect your compan
company’s
y’s digital assets?
Cloud computing can provide inherent security to remote employees. In some cases, employees are only accessing data and
applications through hosted servers, and no data is stored locally. However, most small businesses are deciding that a hybrid
solution is best, where they utilize some data or applications in the cloud and leave some remaining on company premises.
Viruses can still wreak havoc on your local computers, and malware and malicious scripts can destroy your network. With these
threats in mind, ensure any local data is backed up to protect your infrastructure. Client computers, on-premise servers, overall
network, local data, and applications must be secured, encrypted, and protected with complex passwords.
Regardless of how mobile users work, in the cloud or on local computers, their devices need to be a part of a backup system so
that any locally stored information is protected. Security software to protect against viruses, malware, and unauthorized access
must be installed as well.
Security is not just about protecting data. It is also about ensuring your own business continuity. Primary and secondary data
centers and redundancy plans work to keep your information and applications available and secure. With cloud computing,
your service provider promises an unfailing service, effectively taking responsibility for your business continuity policies.
However, it is always a good idea to understand your cloud service provider’s service level agreements and the measures they
use to protect your data.
Cloud computing offers important benefits for small businesses. With the promise of significant cost savings, flexible options
designed for agility, and a workforce that is free to focus on its company’s core offering, it’s no surprise that small businesses
are leading the charge to move their computing infrastructure and software to the cloud.
Learn more about Symantec™ small business offerings at: http://www.symantec.com/business/solutions/smallbusiness/
index.jsp and Symantec cloud offerings at: http://www.symantec.com/cloud
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Data Sheet: Symantec.cloud
Are You Ready For the Cloud?
More Information
Visit our website
http://www.symantec.com/business/solutions/smallbusiness/index.jsp
To speak with a Product Specialist in the U.S.
Call toll-free 1 (800) 745 6054
To speak with a Product Specialist outside the U.S.
For specific country offices and contact numbers, please visit our website.
About Symantec
Symantec is a global leader in providing security, storage, and systems management solutions to help consumers and
organizations secure and manage their information-driven world. Our software and services protect against more risks at more
points, more completely and efficiently, enabling confidence wherever information is used or stored. Headquartered in
Mountain View, Calif., Symantec has operations in 40 countries. More information is available at www.symantec.com.
Symantec World Headquarters
350 Ellis St. | Mountain View, CA 94043 USA
+1 (650) 527 8000 | 1 (800) 721 3934
www.symantec.com
Copyright © 2011 Symantec Corporation. All rights reserved. Symantec, the Symantec Logo, and the Checkmark Logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Symantec Corporation or its affiliates in the U.S.
and other countries. Other names may be trademarks of their respective owners.
Symantec helps organizations secure and manage their information-driven world with endpoint virtualization, server virtualization, and application virtualization.
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