The customer implicitly trusts service providers to keep data safe and secure and at their end, they may relax security implementation. Fears about cloud security have led companies to go in for private cloud. Even these environments cannot be said to be completely secure though protected by firewalls.

Privacy, Data Security And Data Integrity

Privacy was, and remains, one of the chief concerns in a cloud architecture that has not been satisfactorily resolved. One reason is that different countries have different laws concerning privacy in respect of data stored in servers operating in their country, though the person to whom that data belongs may be in another country. A cloud service provider may assure clients that data is absolutely safe but he may be obligated by law to give officials access to that data whether the client agrees or not.

Another vexing matter is that laws have not been amended to cover all forms of data and may consider only emails and text messages for the purpose of private information. Data, unfortunately, is not given the same consideration as physical property. If by law, data is accessed, officials can also lay their hands on data of other clients stored on the same hard disk raising the risk of collateral damage.

Data Confidentiality In The Cloud

Another contentious issue is that the staff of the cloud service provider has access to data and even though encrypted, such data could easily be accessed and tampered.

Data Streaming Security

In a cloud, environment data is streamed through the internet. If it travels through secure “https” channels, data can be said to be safe and secure. However, when data streams over open lines, even though encrypted, the packets can be accessed. Access to data depends on the expertise of the hacker in decryption data packets. Additionally, since data in the cloud is accessed frequently, the chances of errors can lead to data corruption or illegal access by eavesdroppers.

IAAS, SAAS And PAAS Each With Its Own Set Of Issues

Cloud computing has three different pathways: infrastructure as a service (IaaS), platform as a service (PaaS) and software as a service (Saas). Each has vulnerabilities that are not fully resolved. For instance, software as a service deploys the same software used in networked and desktop environments and developers have yet to develop secure coding that will plug loopholes and guard against penetration.

Service Level Agreements

Cloud service providers have their own service level agreements aligned to fit in with their method of operation. These SLAs may not perfectly match client expectations in terms of security and safety.

There are plenty of contentious, unresolved questions such as who shares physical and logical resources and about audits and assessments. Is there any mechanism in place to safeguard data in case of a lockout caused by legal action against another client sharing the same hard disk space? Do cloud service providers have a mechanism in place for assured data destruction on all servers if a client wishes to discontinue services? Of course, the permanent question is about a service provider’s continued viability to be up and available at all times.

A couple of cloud service providers have folded over and users are understandably concerned about the security of their data.

As existing issues are addressed and resolved to some extent or even completely, and as cloud services expand, as yet unforeseen issues are likely to arise. In the present scenario, it is a caveat emptor, or let the service user be extremely careful and cautious.

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In terms of the press release, IBM has tied up with Docker and will leverage Docker open-source community resources for its integration model. Docker integration includes

• Hosting of DockerHub on Softlayer
• Access to all content from the Docker data repository
• Certified Docker Image of cloud-optimized WebSphere Liberty Profile Application Server for better flexibility and improved performance.

Integration of SoftLayer, IBM Java, WebSphere and Docker will allow faster start-up times, reduced memory usage, speedy in-out and ease of use. Docker is not the only open source technology IBM is leveraging; it also working concurrently with OpenStack, Cloud Foundry and others to push the cloud to a larger target audience. The net result of IBM’s engagement with cloud industry leaders is increased security, better availability, smooth integration and ease of transition to the cloud for enterprises.

IBM’s involvement with OpenStack was also responsible for improvements in Icehouse as regards authentication, security, quality and storage. IBM has adapted OpenStack integration and virtualization in its server portfolio with full support for Icehouse and access to OpenStack APIs that allow portability. The tie-up helps clients have a better user experience in connecting services as well as monitoring and backup with IBM SmartCloud Orchestrator. IBM’s commitment will drive better interoperability, speed up adoption and help in the rapid deployment of cloud-based applications.

IBM acquired SoftLayer, which is based on OpenStack Object Storage, a pointer to the robust and scalable storage solution. To its credit, IBM has also tied up with Pivotal to make Pivotal Web Services available to developers.

IBM has shown conclusively that it is serious about driving cloud growth and the result is there for all to see. IBM Bluemix is gaining in popularity among businesses of all sizes. With the recent integration of more Open Source, Bluemix will allow even greater flexibility to developers to access open source and IBM software and deploy applications seamlessly in the cloud.

IBM is an industry leader in server solutions and is fast gaining a lead in the cloud markets, having invested over $ 7 billion in acquisitions and collaborations.

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A lot of people were talking about Y2K putting an end to the IT industry as all computers would stop working on 31st December, which was the last day of the year 1999 as they were not configured to work in the year 2000.

But, nothing whatsoever happened and we could easily cross the hurdle posed by the Y2K bug. Similarly, it would not be wrong to say that we will also imbibe the changes that cloud computing will have on the way we do business. To put it plainly, cloud computing will provide more benefits than disadvantages.

Some security benefits of cloud computing are elaborated here in this article. Although this technology is in its infancy, it is likely to cause great upheavals in the IT industry and in business houses at large.

Cloud computing offers a relatively low cost of operation. As there is no upfront cost for the hardware installation, the only charges would be for the fees charged by the service provider. All one has to do is to enrol with such service providers who suit our business needs. Cloud computing has great accessibility. You can store all your valuable data on remote third-party servers and access the same at any time and any place. You can even access your data on the move, as far as you are connected to the ubiquitous internet.

Cloud computing is a service that is easy to manage. They will be maintained, managed and upgraded by the service provider whom you pay a fee. Most of these servers are highly resistant to data loss as they are blessed with state of the art high-end security measures. Cloud computing services are more flexible than your regular web hosting services. The service provider can extend the storage capacity as per your business requirements and you have to pay a fee for the same.

Thus, we see that although cloud computing is a relatively new technology that has hit us; we have already put in place the necessary security barriers which will increase its efficiency. Every cloud service package has tailor-made packages for big, medium and small enterprises. Thus, the cloud service provider gives you the choice of your preferred package which will suit your business requirements and you need not pay anything extra for the service.

You will be charged for the amount of space that you occupy on the cloud server. All in all, cloud computing is a very secure service that will affect us in more ways than one.

“Image courtesy of renjith krishnan at FreeDigitalPhotos.net“

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Cloud computing has been a buzzphrase for some time now, and clued up companies are beginning to understand the benefits the cloud offers for their CRM. Often for the first time, businesses do not have to invest in expensive hardware to make a difference to their customer support and data management operations, and employees can work from as many locations as needed, instead of being tied to their PC.

The cloud represents liberation for customer relationship management and creates space within the company budgeting to focus on things other than new peripherals to deal with the new technology.

Keep In Touch With Outsourced Workers Via The Cloud

Companies that prefer to outsource can still take advantage of cloud computing to improve customer relations since their consultants can work on the system remotely and without having to find time or space at head office to complete data tasks and update the system. Time saved on emails and phone calls is priceless since everything is located on one system for every relevant employee or outsourced worker to access.

Instigate A Professional Development Strategy

Training is needed to ensure not just the new technology but the new way of communicating with colleagues and supporting clients are handled according to one corporate policy. With many more home workers and lone workers to coordinate, there is always potential with cloud computing for CRM not to follow one streamlined modus operandi.

Employees who have worked in an office-bound environment for many years may find the transition to cloud computing when dealing with customers tricky, especially when a paper-based system becomes largely on screen only.

CRM Is Everyone’s Responsibility Within The Business

Gone are the days when only the back office dealt with customer complaints and enquiries; in modern businesses, CRM is part of the role of every employee, no matter how hands on or ethereal their function within the business. Cloud computing assists everyone in the business understands how important data on customer activity is becoming because it is far more accessible throughout the whole organization.

On the one hand this can be unsettling for long-established employees, but on the other is it is an opportunity to make a groundbreaking difference to the overall customer experience.

Use Business Consultancy In The Initial Stages

One of the biggest challenges facing a company when implementing a cloud based CRM system is sourcing the necessary technical assistance, especially where internal departments are not yet equipped to deal with the complexity of the software management required.

Initially consultancy is often the best way forward, which is then run down over a period of months as employees become more independent. Likewise managers themselves need to undergo continuous professional development to take full advantage of the opportunities afforded by a cloud CRM system. A lack of technical understanding should be no excuse for the business missing out on one of the most exciting technology developments of recent years.

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The Ancient Way

Operating a business has previously involved the set-from a server to operate software and store data, along with network hooking up customers to the server within each branch/location. The server would have separate back and front office software, emails, and then any shared documents are saved in the server. This really is known as Client/Server technology. It might be something you remember, or it might still be the system you’re using?

This Solution Was Complex And Pricey.

Discussing data between branches (or people both at home and on client sites) was impossible without complex and pricey IT solutions. This produced problems in being able to access information, and doing changes when moving data between separate systems and locations – leading to errors, admin expenses, and effecting customer support.

Costly IT staff and providers were required to set-up and manage the infrastructure. The detail from the old technology wasn’t something most business proprietors would want to understand so they relied on ‘specialists’ to inform them the things they needed to invest in such infrastructure. If you’re the business owner this makes you feel you weren’t in charge.

Large license costs were needed by software companies (however, you still needed to manage the upgrades and back-ups yourself, and pay ongoing ‘maintenance’ costs). These costs meant using top quality softwares.

The old system has been a risk to the business because if the server cease working and/or if a software breaks. These risks may potentially cripple a company unless of course pricey Disaster Recovery plans were in position.

And Now Comes:

The Brand New Modern And Straightforward Way

‘Cloud Computing’ have finally realized the best solution for companies, particularly SME’s, to handle their IT solutions. They take away the issues with the previous method of operating systems on the Client/Server basis and provide additional benefits.

With Cloud Computing solutions the IT systems and services required by a company are supplied online by specialist providers. These providers manage all the complex IT infrastructure for you personally, along with your software back-ups, maintenance, and upgrades. All that you should manage is a web connection…. There you have it!

You will find a lot of reasons I possibly could give why every Agency ought to be moving to Cloud Computing, however my best reasons are:

Lower your management time regarding IT issues – this means your software and knowledgebase are handled for you exclusively, the only thing you need to manage is your Broadband connection, this way conducting business is simple.

Decrease your IT cost – low implementation costs for Cloud solutions mean they’re available to all companies. You’ll typically pay only an inexpensive monthly hosting and support fee per user. This provides foreseeable costs that are less than the price of purchasing, running, and looking after a customer or host infrastructure (with no unpredictable bills).

Enhance the control over risk for the business – Its not necessary to bother with what’s going to happen in case your server resources goes low or be worried about losing data. Your company information is saved securely and safely inside the provider’s facilities of website hosts. With this particular security your Disaster Recovery plans are merely knowing where one can proceed to connect to the web in case the worst happened to your offices.

Access the most recent software and services available on the market, but without large costs – All the latest software developments are the ones produced for Cloud Computing. Your software supplier can link in to these, and all it needs is for you to simply sign-up for brand new services when you really need them.

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Relenta

Though not up there with the best cloud CRM, this one certainly has commendable features such as quality and ease of the customer relationship management module. You can easily customize fields to your preferences. You can import contacts into this module or enter data manually with information on the phone, website, fax, messenger ID, address and other information categorized into five areas. Support is also good and available free through email. Relenta also offers updates and a host of FAQs and support. It is best for customer relationship management.

Prophet CRM

Prophet’s strength is that it works with Outlook easily and is one of the best cloud CRM for small businesses. The interface resembles Outlook and its drawback is that it is not intuitive enough and lacks tools found in other CRMs. Prophet allows email and calendar integration, letting you check appointments from a single screen. You can create a to-do list and manage schedules to be more efficient.

When you opt for the hosted package, you additionally get access through mobile phones. You can also organize the company websites, social networking pages and other information in respect of each customer. Then you can create reports, email campaigns and set real-time alerts when you receive messages. It takes some getting used to and you also have access to the best support when you opt for Prophet.

AIM CRM

AIMcrm happens to be one of the best cloud CRM with an excellent customer relationship management module in respect of marketing and sales with plenty of options. You can also set filters when you search and organize data. However, the drawback is that it does not display contact details and history, which you have to access in another window. It, however, does efficiently track campaigns and route phone calls to specific personnel. It can merge with email clients, permits calendar integration and lets you schedule meetings or phone calls, displaying information on your calendar.

You can add a variety of information regarding each contact. AIMcrm stands out in the marketing and sales module, handling inbound calls, allowing software dialling and routing calls. It also analyzes campaigns and gives statistics. Though the design is different, you can learn rapidly and extract the best out of its features. It is one of the better products though it is available only as a hosted solution.

WebAsyst

If you have an online store, then WebAsyst should be the best cloud CRM though it does lack features found in other CRM solutions. The emphasis is on file sharing and customer relationship management with a unique photo attachment feature to the contact’s name. You can save web pages and retrieve them. You also can store data in one location, making it easy to share and retrieve at any time, from anywhere. It also allows restricted access and lets you set permissions. It is easy to use with an intuitive GUI and labelled toolbar.

At the end of the day, your choice of the best cloud CRM ultimately depends on your usage pattern and objective.

Image courtesy of bplanet at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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The most expensive or fully featured one is not necessary if inexpensive cloud-based accounting software will serve the purpose. Take a look at some of the cloud-based accounting software for SMBs. Intuit, Sage and QuickBooks have been on the scene for ages and have cloud-based offerings but these are expensive. You may want to consider cloud-based accounting software that helps you get the job done without leaving your light in your pocket.

FreshBooks

FreshBooks is available as a free trial and subscription plan at $ 19.95 per month onwards, quite cheap considering QuickBooks Pro 2013 costs $ 149.95 after discount. It is purpose made for small businesses, letting you carry out online invoicing, billing and accounting. You can track payments, generate reports, account for sales tax and carry out all those functions normally required for small enterprises at a low, low cost; even free with an indefinite trial period.

FinancialForce Accounting

Launched with the backing of salesforce.com, a leading cloud service provider, this package offers accounting, resource planning, professional services automation in a comprehensive financial management system. It is 100% real-time, offers a flexible chart of accounts, multi-dimensional analysis, global tax, multicurrency facility and is native to the Salesforce CRM platform.

QuickBooks Online Simple Start

Online Simple Start is tailor-made for small enterprises and costs only $ 12.95 per month. This compact package allows you to track sales and expenses, banking functions, business data and also create invoices and print checks. You can use any mobile device for these functions and take it a step further by adding Payroll Bundle and merchant service app to enhance its functionality still more.

Kashoo

Kashoo lets you carry out accounting through a web browser or an iPad, connecting to your bank account, letting you print invoices, organize sales, income and expenses and generate tax reports. Kashoo operates on a double-entry accounting method, allowing the reconciliation of bank and financial statements. It costs only $ 16 a month while the free version has limited functionality.

Outright

Outright seems to have been made with a small e-commerce business in mind. It helps you track sales and manage finances. Outright allows linking of credit cards, PayPal, eBay, webstore, bank accounts and FreshBooks, import transactions and organize as well as generate tax reports, simplifying accounting. You can use the free version or an enhanced Plus version at $ 9.95 a month.

Xero

Xero offers online accounting with a dashboard-style interface. You can view bank balances, bills, expenses, interactive graphs to show inflow and outflow and monitoring of data. Importantly, Xero allows online collaboration. An owner can collaborate with employees and his accountant and make financial management easy. Xero allows online invoicing, schedule bill payments and track all of these.

Intacct

Intacct is a bit more complex, offering a package of integrated financial management applications. These include vendor management, financial reporting and inventory management, making it ideal for medium enterprises. Intacct offers multi-ledger accounting solutions and the power of cloud ERP for financial management. Intacct is flexible and customizable and grows as your business expands.

With cloud accounting, small enterprise owners gain a lot in terms of ease of use, functionality and collaboration. Whether you go in for something complexes like Intacct or a simple one like Kashoo or Freshbooks, there is a package that suits you and your operations.

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SugarCRM

SugarCRM is one of the most flexible and customizable CRM based on open source code. You can customize various parameters such as user interface, fields, columns and objects. You can use it in a private or public cloud environment, switching service providers as you like. Sugar CRM is supported by a huge community giving you access to a number of open-source extensions. It is one of the lowest-priced and possible one of the best cloud CRM out there.

TeamWox

Though weak in the sales and marketing department, it is one of the best cloud CRM solutions with a range of functionality With TeamWox you can track customers, interact with them, send emails or messages and carry out other functions, However, it does not have the ability to track your contacts’ social networking profiles and print maps.

Whatever actions you carry out in respect of a contact are recorded in the contact history function for each access at any time by anyone engaged in that circle of activity. TeamWox also does not feature automatic email campaigns or automatic updates but offers a lot of information and support.

Maximizer CRM

Though it lacks a contact information page or dialling capabilities, Maximize CRM does have a few good features you will find useful such as the friendly user interface. However, it does lack a contact information page. You can use the customer relationship management application to import and export lists and address labels in conjunction with MS Office.

You can manage leads, campaigns, schedules, calendars and customer services through Maximize CRM. You can review each contact’s status as well as that of the staff handling him. One desirable feature is the ability to create automatic campaigns by syncing emails to the CRM and then tracking the status. With so many options and icon labelling it is easy to carry out a number of functions.

Contact Plus Professional

Though not the best cloud CRM, Contact Plus Professional does have a number of useful features. You can track events, make notes and provides email, dialler as well as calendar integration, from a single window. You can merge with Microsoft Word and send out automated emails and letters as well as print labels by accessing the database.

Users along the chain can access information in a safe way through password log in. while the icons do not carry labels and you must spend time familiarizing yourself with it, once you do it is easy. First-time users will like the extensive tutorial and help sections.

Chaos Intellect

Chaos Intellect could be included in the 10 best cloud CRM available and it is also one of the lowest-priced though it lacks some features found in other CRMs. Chaos features email integration, calendar options, mobile access, dialler and task lists. However, it does not have links to social networking, company websites or maps. In its favour, it does have clean navigation and a user interface with a number of options you can run at a single time.

The CRM also displays tasks and appointments for each day at the bottom. You can view each contact and specific details, check mail and view all projects as well as their status.

Image courtesy of kangshutters at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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cloud computing segments, the ratio may diminish to a surprisingly lowly 48 by next year, derating stocks to 10th most costly, if we are to believe a Bloomberg analysis.

Investors continue to remain upbeat foreseeing higher earnings for Amazon through increased sales of books for the Kindle, movies and music in addition to other products. They also believe the profit margin could increase in the current year in the wake of Amazon building its own warehouses and capabilities to deliver more products through its online store.

According to Tom Forte of the Telsey Advisory Group investors have faith and are open to a higher valuation of the stock. With an initial start in books, Seattle based Amazon has gone on to become an online global mall for just about everything; the dot com bubble burst only spurring it to push more for growth against profits. Amazon shares have risen 98 percent since 2009 despite a loss of $ 39 million in 2012, a decided slump when compared to a profit of $ 1.15 billion in 2010. However, revenues increased by 27 percent, reaching a figure of $ 61.1 billion in 2012. It is expected to gain another 24 percent increase this year according to Bloomberg analysts. Bezos, the owner, could be on his way to having a net worth of $ 24.9 billion which would make him the world’s 19th richest person.

The popularity of Amazon contributed to a higher share price despite a drop in earnings, thus inflating the price-earning ratio. In comparison Apple PE is only 10 whereas Ebay’s is 28; both far below Amazon’s projected low of 48 by next year. Investor confidence continues to run high and the perceived sentiment is that strategic investments will push Amazon even higher. The current dip is perceived as only a normalization process not due to earning capabilities said a buoyant shareholder who only viewed it as an opportunity for smart investors to gobble up stock in the expectations of a rise.

Amazon has smartly invested in critical infrastructure which is warehouses for itself and which it also offers to other online merchants. The investments in warehouses increased by 58 percent in 2011, going in a straight upward trajectory for the second year. It also rakes in pure profits through its fulfilment centres that cater to small and medium online retailers who pay a fee for usage. This emulates Ebay’s system that has been raking in 21 percent margins but significant is that eBay does not have any stock of goods and serves as a conduit.

Amazon stocks and sells and the profit may not buouy up as quickly as expected leading to a reduction of share prices and P-E. The model adopted by Amazon may show a decline in business growth rate leading to reduced fees for Amazon that contributed to 45% of gross profit. Doug Anmuth of JP Morgan Chase & Co arrived at this analysis and gave a reduced neutral rating to Amazon.

From a high of 788.86 in January, Amazed share declined to a figure of 740 times on March 28 following the disclosure that the fourth quarter revenue did not match expectations and was lower than the figure for the previous year. However, it overtook Equity Residential and still held the position of having the highest value on the S&P 500 Index.

Investors may be banking on the success Bezos achieved with a revolutionary investment in cloud computing about eight years ago. Amazon Cloud today has a lion’s share of the market. However, expenses relating to content and technology rose to 59 percent following implementation and were progressively reduced. Amazon share prices also fell by 11% in 2006. Since then expenses on technology and content reduced but margins rose and share prices gained a four-fold increase to $ 180 in the 2010 year-end. Investors are banking on history repeating itself and Amazon going on to do well.

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