South East businesses are ready for the Cloud!

HCS Business Solutions, an IT services provider with an extensive South Eastern client base, in association with the South Eastern Regional Chambers, recently conducted a survey about Cloud Computing and the perceptions surrounding it amongst businesses in the South East.

The survey was distributed to Chamber members across Waterford, Wexford, Clonmel, Carlow and Kilkenny. The findings reported that the majority of businesses were not only familiar with the concept of Cloud computing, but would consider using some form of cloud services. Only 4% of respondents had never heard of Cloud computing.

Simply put, cloud computing allows end users to securely leverage the Internet for application use, data storage, and other tools. Coupled with this cloud options are more cost effective, with no need for on site backup.

Almost 74% of the respondents were representative of small businesses employing up to 50 employees. This seems particularly apt as Paul Rellis, MD Microsoft Ireland, recently stated that cloud computing will give huge opportunities to individuals and companies alike.

“The power of computing that was once the preserve of large organisations can now be used by every organisation of every size. Cloud computing is a new industry that Ireland can take advantage of very quickly. The technology space changes so rapidly but this is a transformation that will be sustainable over the next couple of decades.”

Based on the respondents knowledge of Cloud computing the most important perceived benefit of using cloud services were:

1) it requires no capital up front investment

2) it cuts company costs

3) it allows staff to collaborate and share more information

Despite the positivity surrounding cloud services, many respondents expressed concerns about certain aspects of adopting the cloud. Across the region 85% of respondents stated that reliability was “very important” or “a showstopper” for them. Whereas over three quarters expressed security as a very important or show stopping concern in adopting the cloud.

While all of the respondents have broadband facilities, their broadband speed varies considerably with 10% of companies having a broadband speed of less than 2MB, while the majority of respondents (29.3%) have a broadband speed of 4 to 8 MB. However, despite the variations in broadband facilities, almost half of the businesses (43%) were confident that their broadband connection was reliable enough to support cloud services to their business.

Neil Phelan, Director of HCS Business Solutions, which conducted the survey, believes that the results do endorse the future of cloud computing.

“The premise of this regional survey was to test the waters amongst businesses about their perception of the cloud, their knowledge of the services and to unearth their main concerns about implementing a cloud strategy.”

“Although some questions arise around challenges to adopting cloud services - security, speed and reliability will inevitably remain valid concerns amongst businesses. However, we do believe that in time companies not just in the South East of Ireland, but globally, will regard cloud based services for businesses as the norm. Cloud computing will give users a more reliable, remote and transparent IT service resulting in greater uptime and more business stability, which in these tough times is crucial.”

Mr. Phelan added that most companies and consumers are already using some form of cloud technologies and may not consider themselves as being cloud users. Services such as Online Backup and Remote Email Filtering are cloud based technologies that are being utilised already by many companies.

For a copy of the survey results or further information about HCS Business Solutions call 051-595200 or email info@hcs.ie

South East businesses are ready for the Cloud!

HCS Business Solutions, an IT services provider with an extensive South Eastern client base, in association with the South Eastern Regional Chambers, recently conducted a survey about Cloud Computing and the perceptions surrounding it amongst businesses in the South East.

The survey was distributed to Chamber members across Waterford, Wexford, Clonmel, Carlow and Kilkenny. The findings reported that the majority of businesses were not only familiar with the concept of Cloud computing, but would consider using some form of cloud services. Only 4% of respondents had never heard of Cloud computing.

Simply put, cloud computing allows end users to securely leverage the Internet for application use, data storage, and other tools. Coupled with this cloud options are more cost effective, with no need for on site backup.

Almost 74% of the respondents were representative of small businesses employing up to 50 employees. This seems particularly apt as Paul Rellis, MD Microsoft Ireland, recently stated that cloud computing will give huge opportunities to individuals and companies alike.

“The power of computing that was once the preserve of large organisations can now be used by every organisation of every size. Cloud computing is a new industry that Ireland can take advantage of very quickly. The technology space changes so rapidly but this is a transformation that will be sustainable over the next couple of decades.”

Based on the respondents knowledge of Cloud computing the most important perceived benefit of using cloud services were:

1) it requires no capital up front investment

2) it cuts company costs

3) it allows staff to collaborate and share more information

Despite the positivity surrounding cloud services, many respondents expressed concerns about certain aspects of adopting the cloud. Across the region 85% of respondents stated that reliability was “very important” or “a showstopper” for them. Whereas over three quarters expressed security as a very important or show stopping concern in adopting the cloud.

While all of the respondents have broadband facilities, their broadband speed varies considerably with 10% of companies having a broadband speed of less than 2MB, while the majority of respondents (29.3%) have a broadband speed of 4 to 8 MB. However, despite the variations in broadband facilities, almost half of the businesses (43%) were confident that their broadband connection was reliable enough to support cloud services to their business.

Neil Phelan, Director of HCS Business Solutions, which conducted the survey, believes that the results do endorse the future of cloud computing.

“The premise of this regional survey was to test the waters amongst businesses about their perception of the cloud, their knowledge of the services and to unearth their main concerns about implementing a cloud strategy.”

“Although some questions arise around challenges to adopting cloud services - security, speed and reliability will inevitably remain valid concerns amongst businesses. However, we do believe that in time companies not just in the South East of Ireland, but globally, will regard cloud based services for businesses as the norm. Cloud computing will give users a more reliable, remote and transparent IT service resulting in greater uptime and more business stability, which in these tough times is crucial.”

Mr. Phelan added that most companies and consumers are already using some form of cloud technologies and may not consider themselves as being cloud users. Services such as Online Backup and Remote Email Filtering are cloud based technologies that are being utilised already by many companies.

For a copy of the survey results or further information about HCS Business Solutions call 051-595200 or email info@hcs.ie

Microsoft MD urges Waterford businesses to take their share of opportunities from Cloud computing

Microsoft MD, Paul Rellis, proved to be a big attraction amongst Waterford businesses as almost 100 people attended a business briefing entitled “The Future is the Cloud.”

The event was sponsored by Waterford based HCS Business Solutions and co-hosted with Waterford Chamber of Commerce.

Cloud computing has been prevalent in the news recently as it has the potential to create almost 20,000 new jobs over the next decade in Ireland. The impact report, carried out by Goodbody Economic Consultants for Microsoft Ireland claims that Ireland is perfectly poised to capture "a disproportionately large" share of the global cloud market, which is estimated to be worth around €70bn by 2014.

Paul Rellis said that cloud computing will give huge opportunities to individuals and companies alike. “The power of computing that was once the preserve of large organisations can now be used by every organisation of every size. Cloud computing is a new industry that Ireland can take advantage of very quickly. The technology space changes so rapidly but this is a transformation that will be sustainable over the next couple of decades.”

Mr. Rellis added “If Waterford businesses concentrate on developing competencies in cloud computing, perhaps working with the Waterford Institute of Technology to develop those competencies there is nothing to stop the huge opportunities available in job creation.”

“It is up to the civic authorities, institutes of technologies and so on to try and make a difference here. There is no reason they can’t be more successful in Waterford than in any other part of the country.”

Neil Phelan, Director of HCS Business Solutions, which a certified Microsoft Partner, added the future is undoubtedly cloud computing.

“Technology has moved on so quickly. We moved from mainframe computing in the 70’s, to PC’s in the 80’s, the Internet and .com era of the 90’s and noughties, and now leveraging on the internet era the cloud is set up to take a big leap over the next decade.”

“Although some questions arise around challenges to adopting cloud services security will inevitably be a concern. Just like the internet era consumers and business people were afraid to use their credit cards on-line or do their banking on-line in the early days, now it is the norm. This same pattern will inevitably occur to the use of cloud based services for businesses.”

Mr. Phelan added that most companies and consumers are already using some form of cloud technologies and may not consider themselves as being cloud users. Services such as Online Backup and Remote Email Filtering are cloud based technologies that are being utilised already by many companies.

There may be Clouds, but the future looks clear for Waterford’s Businesses

Waterford native and MD of Microsoft Ireland, Paul Rellis, will address the region’s businesses on the future of “cloud computing” and the advances being made by Microsoft in this area.

The business briefing entitled “The Future is the Cloud” is supported by Waterford IT company, HCS Business Solutions and Waterford Chamber and will take place in the Tower Hotel at 8.30am on Wednesday, February 16^th.

Paul Rellis was appointed Managing Director of Microsoft Ireland in December 2007. As MD he is responsible for Microsoft Corporation’s business in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland and also represents Microsoft on all strategic policy and communications issues in Ireland.

Prior to being appointed MD, Paul was the Managing Director for Microsoft’s European, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) Operations Centre, based in Sandyford, Co. Dublin. His role includes overseeing Microsoft's channel partners, supply chain, finance and order management across the region. The EMEA Operations Centre services 131 countries across five time zones. Previously, he held the position of Finance Director for Microsoft Operations in EMEA and Asia-Pacific.

One of the most recent exciting developments in the IT sector has been the shift towards cloud computing, which ultimately has a simple purpose; it allows end users to securely leverage the Internet for application use, data storage, and other tools. Coupled with this, cloud options are more cost effective, there is no need for on site backup and no more costs associated with managing IT infrastructure.

According to Neil Phelan, Sales Director, HCS Business Solutions, there is huge anticipation ahead of the “cloud” amongst local SME’s. Mr. Phelan commented, “Cloud computing is, undoubtedly, the way forward and is being welcomed by companies of all sizes. Cloud computing will give users a more reliable, remote and transparent IT service resulting in greater uptime and more business stability, which in these tough times is crucial.”

Mr. Phelan added “As Certified Microsoft Partners HCS Business Solutions is delighted that Paul Rellis will join us to address Waterford’s business community about the significance of cloud computing and the huge commitment Microsoft is making to online services.”

Microsoft first opened its doors in Ireland in 1985 with a small manufacturing facility employing just over one hundred people. Since that time, Microsoft Ireland has grown to encompass four distinct operations at its campus in Sandyford in Dublin, employing over 1,200 full time employees and 700 full-time contract staff.

“The Future is the Cloud” briefing will take place in the Tower Hotel on Wednesday, February 16^th at 8.30am. This event is free. For further information or to book your place call Sheila Quinn at Waterford Chamber on 051 872639 or email sheila.quinn@waterfordchamber.ie