Demystifying the Cloud
What is the Cloud?
• The Cloud is short for “cloud computing” and it
means accessing computing resources over the
internet
• The name comes from the cloud shape that
was traditionally drawn around devices and
services on a network
• On demand access to data, systems,
applications and resources
What is the Cloud?
Courtesy Wikimedia Commons
Why use the Cloud?
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Securely store data
Backed up and safe
Easy to access
Create agility and mobility
Ability to scale
Effective cost control
Computing as a utility
Managed Services vs Applications
• Managed service cloud services provide
storage and services on a per user basis
• Applications use cloud computing & storage,
such as Microsoft 365 & Skydrive, Google
Apps, iCloud, Dropbox, Evernote, Salesforce
etc etc
Managed Cloud Services
• Software as a Service
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All below + applications
• Platform as a Service
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Also includes database,
web server mgt etc
• Infrastructure as a Service
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Managed virtual servers
& OS, leaving all software
within the control of the
client
Courtesy Wikimedia Commons
Managed Cloud Services
Local managed cloud service providers:
• Uber Global
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http://uberglobal.com.au/
• CloudCentral
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http://cloudcentral.com.au/
• Emantra
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http://emantra.com.au/
Application Cloud Services (SaaS)
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Microsoft 365 & Skydrive - ~$7.90/user/month via Telstra
Google Apps - ~$5.00/user/month, 5 GB space
iCloud - Mail, calendars, contacts, music, photos, some business apps
Dropbox - free storage – 2 GB – 18 GB
Mega - up to 50 GB free
Evernote - mobile app storing data in the cloud
Salesforce - Cloud Customer Relationship Management (CRM) app
MYOB – cloud accounting
TimePro – cloud timesheets
Mailchimp – email newsletters
SurveyMonkey - surveys
Eventbrite - events
What about Security & Privacy?
• Reputable businesses are certified to high
levels of security and privacy. Make sure you
research their credentials
• In Australia, the Defence Signals Directorate
certifies cloud managed services for the
Australian Government. Check out the creds.
• Australian Government Agencies generally
insist on maintaining “data sovereignty”
What are you doing now?
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Where is your data?
Is it secure?
Is it backed up?
Do you have a plan if you lose your data for any
reason?
• Have you had any significant failures over the
past year?
What is your existing ICT investment?
• What are your total costs for your existing ICT
infrastructure, systems and support?
• Do you buy or lease equipment?
• What personnel and management effort do you
devote to managing your ICT environment?
What are the Risks?
• Access. You need an internet connection and if
that isn’t reliable then neither is access to your
data or services.
• Ensure you go with a reputable solution and not
the latest cheap and nasty. That said, there are
emerging providers all the time.
• Create a cohesive set of services
Implementing Cloud Storage
• Dropbox
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Create an account
Create a folder
Share it with a co-worker
Useful Links
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ScrivenerJAM – www.scrivenerjam.com.au
Microsoft 365 - http://bit.ly/ZdMDcx
Google Apps - http://bit.ly/146B1Qi
iCloud - https://www.icloud.com/
Dropbox – https://www.dropbox.com/pricing
Mega – www.mega.co.nz
Evernote - http://evernote.com/
Salesforce – www.salesforce.com
MYOB - http://bit.ly/XzX1jQ
TimePro - http://www.timesheets.com.au/
Useful Links
• Mailchimp - http://mailchimp.com/
• SurveyMonkey https://www.surveymonkey.com/
• Eventbrite - www.eventbrite.com.au
• Other cloud services - http://zd.net/10OhXib
Q&A