If so, then you don’t need to look any further.

What Is Cloud Computing?

Cloud computing is internet based computing that offers infrastructure, software and platforms as services.

Through cloud computing, resources like software and information are provided to computers and any other device connected to the “cloud” on demand.

The term cloud comes from the underlying infrastructure that the internet represents and is applied to applications that exist online on virtual servers.

Through this virtualization, users have access to a number of programs and applications just as they would with a dedicated server, but the responsibility of maintaining where the information is saved and how it’s distributed is shifted.

The concept of cloud computing has its advantages and, because of that, is quickly gaining popularity across a number of industries.

While it is a method of green computing, cloud computing can also save money, manpower and increase efficiency for any organization that uses it.

Cloud Computing vs. Traditional Computing

When considering any business, large or small, that has information technology needs, think about how much time, how many resources, and how much manpower is often dedicated to information systems management.

Computers need to have software installed, software licenses have to be kept up to date, and there may be a constant need to purchase additional servers (in order to assure that everyone has enough space to store data).

These scenarios are often faced by companies using traditional computing practices but, with cloud computing, the focus on these issues is shifted from the client to the company providing the cloud service.

With a cloud service, all applications and programs are hosted by a cloud company on their hardware.

The only thing the client company needs is the cloud system’s interface software on their computers, which can often be as simple as a web browser.    

Applications like those offered in Microsoft Business Productivity Online Services (BPOS) are some examples of cloud computing.

With applications like Exchange, SharePoint,, Forefront Online, Office Live Meeting and  Office Communications Online , communication is streamlined and your organization is made more efficient.

Advantages of Cloud Computing

Once everything is in place, cloud computing has a number of advantages to its users over traditional IT management systems –

At the forefront is the cost.

Cloud computing works much like a utility; you only pay for what you use as opposed to paying a fixed rate for something that may get little use.

Combined with the fact that money is saved by through server consolidation, and cloud computing is a much more financially viable option that traditional computing.

Cloud computing is also scalable.

Whether you need one, two or ten servers, a cloud system allows for using resources as you need them rather than letting those resources sit idle on the off chance that you might need them eventually.  

Green computing is also a large advantage to using a cloud system.

As a result of decreasing the number of servers used, fewer components are needed, less energy is used and emissions are more easily controlled.

Couple that with the fact that there are government tax incentives in place for companies who make an effort to implement green computing, and it’s easy to see the advantage to using green computing.

These advantages allow a small or medium sized business to be able to compete on a level playing field with larger businesses that have more resources and are able to invest in larger infrastructure.

In addition, as these small businesses grow, they can add more services from the cloud vendor without having to buy additional hardware.

Contact Us Today

If you need cloud computing in Virginia near Blacksburg, Lynchburg, Danville, or Charlottesville then Automation Business Technologies is here to help you with your cloud computing needs.

With over 30 years in the industry, we offer a number of services related to cloud computing and computer network needs.

Call us at 540-283-9690 for a consultation today – or fill out our contact form and we’ll get back to you ASAP.

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The biggest advantage, or the one that rings true to most people, is cost savings on hardware and software. Take for example using a hosted Exchange versus an on premise solution, buying the software and hardware is a large initial capital outlay for most companies. With a hosted solution you would pay a simple monthly fee based on the number of users in your organization.

My favorite advantage is the limited administration needed after your service has been placed into the cloud. All updates and patches are done by the provider and with most plans you are automatically upgraded to the latest version of the product. Backups are a thing of the past since it is now up to the provider to make sure your data is protected. This frees IT resources up to concentrate more on helping your business instead of getting bogged down in mundane administrative tasks.

Uptime for your critical business applications is a must. With cloud computing there is only one factor that can bring down the application, the office internet connection. Internet connections have been so reliable over the years, which is why companies are trusting Cloud Computing more and more. If you had an on premise solution factors such as power, hardware failure, and the college intern could all affect your uptime. If the power does go out in your office, you can always connect to your application from another computer with internet access. How much would your company lose if an on premise application were to fail?

Many people are still nervous about putting their company data out into the cloud for various reasons, but the cost benefits are immense. Cloud computing can make a company more efficient while at the same time saving money. Give us a call at 540-283-9690 or fill out our contact form today so we can talk about ways to integrate the cloud into your current environment.

Roanoke, Virginia – Monday, July 12, 2010 – Earlier this year, on January 30th, Andy Grigas and Dustin Knuttgen of Automation Business Technologies in Roanoke, Virginia, received their MCITP Server Administrator Certifications, and went on to receive their MCITP Enterprise Administrator Certifications on February 10th. A Microsoft Certified IT Professional Certification validates that an individual has the skills and experience necessary to perform a particular service and shows customers and employers that he is dedicated to his profession.

Andy and Dustin have over 30 years of Information Technology experience, specializing in network design, management, and security, particularly with Microsoft products such as SharePoint, Exchange, and ForeFront, although they are proficient with a variety of other products as well. Andy and Dustin also specialize in integrating Voice Over IP technology with Microsoft products and offering their clients cloud computing and virtualization solutions to their IT problems.

The Microsoft Certified IT Professional Certifications fall under a broad category comprised of individual certifications such as the Server Administrator and Enterprise Administrator Certifications. With their MCITP Server Administrator Certifications, Andy and Dustin are certified to work with any Microsoft-related server. And with their MCITP Enterprise Administrator Certifications, they are certified to implement solutions and troubleshoot issues across the entire range of enterprises for multiple locations and offices for a business, instead of simply a single server.

These certifications also verify Andy and Dustin’s skills with Microsoft 2008 products, as well as Microsoft’s legacy products, older versions of software no longer sold but still widely and commonly used. Certifications help Andy and Dustin stand out among other IT professionals who might not have certifications. Customers, especially larger clients such as businesses, are more inclined to hire certified professionals and pay them a higher rate for their services than uncertified professionals. Although the quality of the work might ultimately end up being the same, there is always the risk that it won’t, and the client is sure that hiring a certified professional will yield the best possible results.

Andy and Dustin are currently working towards their Microsoft Certified IT Professional Virtualization Administrator Certifications, which will verify their skills with Microsoft’s Hyper V virtualization software products and technologies. After they receive their MCITP Virtualization Administrator Certifications, they plan on obtaining their MCITP Enterprise Messaging Administrator Certifications, which will certify them to work with Microsoft Exchange servers and communication systems. These certifications are designed to build upon Andy and Dustin’s MCITP Server and Enterprise Administrator Certifications, proving that they have the necessary skills required to propose a solution to your network problems.

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