In addition, I'm paranoid, overly paranoid sometimes, and I hate not being able to fix things, that feeling of powerless when all you can do is hang up the phone and hope the folks on the other end are competent (I find they usually aren't). This is one reason I always prefer to spend money locally for consultants, and ISP's if I can. I know I can get someone on the phone and yell at them if I have to, or cajole them to get my issue fixed first, or at 2 am, etc. With someone like amazon, you think they give 2 sh*ts about my 5 hosted servers? NOPE, and to think otherwise is delusional. Plus, where is your data? What is their storage, backup, data breach policy? Perhaps I just don't trust other folks to do what needs to be done to the level I want it at? Perhaps I'm a control freak and uber-paranoid? or perhaps not:
Ma.gnolia Data is gone for good
UK Government Wants To Bypass Data Protection Act - Including pulling data from the private sector
So, I think unless there is an overwhelming business need to go to the "Cloud" one shouldn't. However, on that note, I think I finally found a clear case need for it. A good friend of mine owns and runs a shipping and logistics business. His people are in effect middle men, but at the same time, they get the sh*t done, and on time. Unfortunately, as he confided to me a few days ago, he needs to grow his organization from 6 people at $10 Mil revenues/year to double that. Well, how to do that? Turns out, I think "cloud" technology is the answer. He originally asked me to help him come up with a plan for a new website (he's not up on technology, knows this, and actively seeks advice of experts...unlike some other organizations and owners who will remain nameless). We discussed his current website (dated, not informative) and what he hoped to gain from it, increased marketing/sales opportunity and to grow his brand. This led to further discussions of what their current IT infrastructure is like, their consultant (who they haven't used in 3 years!), and how they handle tasks. For instance, CRM, is handled on sheets of paper passed around the office. And they can't keep remote employees because they never seem to stay "in-touch" with the rest of the organization. They all have computers, and someone in office who knows about MS desktops to keep them running well, I was impressed on this front actually. However, no servers, no infrastructure, and internet over slow DSL, which goes out 2+ times/week and a monthly telecom bill of $1500+/month! woof! The lack of internal infrastructure was the tell that a move to "the cloud" might be the optimal solution here. They had no sunk costs in IT, only high recurring telecom costs. So, after some discussion, explanations, eye-popping and jaw-dropping, we came up with the following plan:
1) Website redesign and marketing consultants to help market it.
2) Broadband. Only other provider is cable, but we'll take it. Geta good new router, and keep the DSL as a backup
3) Google Apps. Integrated email, documents, calendars, contacts, etc. Easy to admin, easy to setup, and free.
4) Salesforce.com. This will allow them to get the sales and CRM appliocations they need to get away from paper, and to share info seamlessly
5) Google Adwords. Gotta get the name and brand out there
6) Google Analytics. Have to know where to focus and what works.
7) Email Marketing to current and former customers.
8) VoIP. Migrate 6 lines/numbers to a hosted PBX/VoIP provider. The cost will be lower, especially internationally
9) Online Networking. Get into every online location their customers are, linkedin.com, forums, etc.
10) Training. train the staff on new tech.
This will allow them to work remotely as necessary, work form home if needed, have as many remote offices as needed and keep the information flowing. They will get more done using salesforce tools. They will be able to network more efficiently, automate more tasks, etc. As a bonus, the reduced telecom costs by going VoIP will more than pay for the cost of purchased services.
I realized the other night that this is a company effectively in the IT dark ages, who will be making a quantum leap into the cutting edge of business productivity IT. A case study will have to be done to determine how well this works!
