Back again for another day of cloud computing! Today, we’ll look at how our firm can implement this technology.
AppGap says that an advantage is that files are more accessible to entry-level equipment such as lightweight laptops with minimal hard-disk space. Public accounting firms spend thousands annually to maintain their network systems, including purchasing new computers, updating software, and providing support. Cloud computing can offer the same features and ease of use for sharing files at a fraction of the cost. Given the size of our firm, investing in our own IT system with sufficient storage and capabilities may be too pricey while there are alternatives like cloud computing available.
My fellow colleagues are all-too-familiar with computer crashes and system failures while working. Cloud computing reduces the reliance on a single computer by using online servers provided by external parties which have significantly more capacity and capabilities than what we can reasonably buy. When a computer crashes internally, the document is inaccessible and possibly unrecoverable (so annoying!). From a corporate point of view, this translates to lost time and money, as well as a buildup of frustration.
Of course, relying on the Internet carries its own risks. For instance, what happens when there is no Internet access? Our staff is often out in the field at a client site. When you’re working “on the go” you never know what resources you’ll have access to. In such cases, it is more functional to have the files stored on your laptop’s hard disk.
EScience mentions that this increasing trend towards ‘cloud computing’ also poses security risks. One of the major concerns is the exposure to loss of privacy in the public domain. This is particularly significant considering the sensitive nature of our profession and our clients’ files. There is also the possibility that cloud providers can make use of the information that is uploaded onto their servers. Companies like Google can analyze the information we upload to target us with personalized ads.
Examining the services agreement and privacy policies of Google, AdventNet, and Adobe, we can see that there are no guarantees of any backup. If the file is lost, there are no channels available for the company to retrieve the file. If one of them declares bankruptcy…well…all hope is lost. Evidently choosing the right provider is a critical step on the path to cloud computing.
Despite these security and reliability concerns, it is beneficial for our firm to follow this trend. CIO Insight suggests that acceptance of cloud computing is inevitable: “Like it or not, the idea of renting applications, development platforms…or any other cloud-enabled services has emerged as a replay of the Internet’s rise as a business tool…[a] technology that’s expected to reshape IT over the next decade.”
The benefits of using cloud computing application clearly outweigh the cost. A step to ensure the information will not be leaked is by forming a relationship with IBM and Google, which jointly invests into ‘cloud computing’ to provide a suitable IT solution for small-to-medium scale businesses like ours.
So now that y’all know what this cloud computing is and how it can be applied to our firm, I need some feedback on what you think. Send me your thoughts!!!!
