Leverage cloud and cloud storage to ensure business continuity

Despite security concerns, there is widespread opposition to the deployment of cloud computing, but there is a chance of success. The secret to ensuring success in cloud computing projects is that solutions make computing more useful and convenient while providing backup and disaster-recovery protection. This has always been a goal pursued in the business continuity and disaster Recovery planning (BC) areas. But we've found the secret to success, but we're not fully aware of it.

Cloud computing (embodied in the capacity-scalable virtual machine), combined with cloud storage, can eliminate or reduce the cost of satisfying computing requirements or migrating platforms, which is expected to reduce the cost of enterprise computing. For example, cloud storage allows small businesses to keep the latest data in the cloud (and, of course, the cloud environment takes appropriate security precautions) so that all employees can access accurate information anytime, anywhere, through any computer or device they carry.

Therefore, there is no need to synchronize the price list, supply status or hardware specification data, and it is not necessary to start, login and access the centralized files. Salespeople, technicians, and various professionals have access to data that is securely stored in a cloud environment.

Cloud storage service providers are typically professionally managed. They cannot afford the consequences of system outage and data loss. This means that if an enterprise stores its data in a cloud environment, there is no business user can do anything other than gain de facto resilience and protection.

Solution

Many companies currently offer cloud-based data storage and computing services. Some are famous, some are nameless. Interestingly, few providers call business continuity and disaster recovery a big advantage of cloud computing, and those providers who do mention business continuity/disaster recovery have very limited services in this area. So why don't they say loudly that their solutions include a practical, low-cost, and efficient solution to business continuity disaster recovery?

Here are a few examples

The biggest player in the field, according to TechTarget, is the Amazon Network services company (Amazonwebservices). Amazon Network Services provide a complete set of services and reliable solutions, including dedicated and virtual computing and storage services. There are a number of pages in the Web site that explain the details and how users can register and use their services. It even provides an online calculator that calculates the same exact cost as you would expect.

However, Amazon does not seem to believe that business continuity/disaster recovery is a big benefit. It does not delve into the significant benefits that its solution is expected to bring to business continuity/disaster recovery for SMEs and large businesses. But it does raise the question on a Web page: "How can I implement a reliable, cost-effective backup and disaster recovery plan?" But the answer is not so easy to find.

Rackspacecloud is another big player that provides cloud services. According to TechTarget, it is the second largest cloud service provider. Like Amazon, it also has a lot of pages about its services and how it can help reduce costs. In addition, like Amazon, it is an understatement for business continuity/disaster recovery. Rackspacecloud has a web page dedicated to business continuity/disaster recovery, but with very few content.

Even one player offers a simplified set of features, including storage, calendars, newsletters, and utilities, but it does not even claim to be a cloud service provider and, of course, does not claim to be providing a business continuity/disaster recovery solution. This player is Apple, which has MobileMe services that provide e-mail, calendars, storage, and sharing. Although it has not yet adjusted its solution for the enterprise market and has not yet provided the calculation part, any small business would be better off considering MobileMe as its corporate e-mail and calendar solution, as well as a centralized storage solution for key files and databases. As for individuals or families, MobileMe has provided them with a carefully packaged disaster recovery option feature. We want Apple to develop a business version of MobileMe that will change all aspects of business continuity/disaster recovery for SMEs.

What's missing?

These providers (and many other providers not mentioned in this article) are missing several key elements. One of the missing elements is that providers acknowledge that business continuity disaster recovery is a problem they are addressing. One wonders: Since these providers are vying for market share and looking like each other (except Apple's MobileMe), why not provide a formal business continuity/disaster recovery route for customers to seize the opportunity to differentiate themselves from competitors?

Another missing element is that none of these providers offers customers a simple way to develop business continuity/disaster recovery plans. You can say I have a personal bias, because my company has developed a software based product to simplify business continuity/disaster recovery planning; But I do want to know why none of these giants provide a product that plans and then implements the plan.

Problems and solutions waiting to be together

We are faced with the problem that small and medium-sized enterprises cannot provide themselves with adequate protection to cope with failures and disasters.

We also have a solution: today's cloud services and cloud storage capabilities can address business continuity/disaster recovery issues, which is a boon to solving other problems. It's almost an added benefit.

As long as this problem is met with this approach, we will see the security and flexibility of our business and information greatly increased. Looking forward to the arrival of this day.

Original link: http://www.cnw.com.cn/storage-virtualization/htm2011/20110211_217233.shtml