Data Sheet: Symantec.

cloud

Are You Ready For the Cloud?

Five Questions to Help Small Businesses Decide if They're Ready to Take the Leap
Youve heard about cloud computing, and may have wondered what is it exactly, and what it can mean for your business. The simple answer is that cloud computing is anything that involves delivering hosted services over the Internet. In fact, you may already perform some of your business functions in the cloud, including website hosting, email applications, Google Apps, or even Salesforce.com. You may have seen references to categories of cloud-based computing such as Software as a Service (Saas) or Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS). SaaS means that software you would normally install on your computer is instead delivered via the Internet. IaaS is where you rent space in a data center and use a providers servers instead of buying new hardware to run your business. With all the services available, there is an opportunity to move your entire business to the cloud. However, most small businesses are opting for a hybrid solution with some data or applications in the cloud and some remaining on company premises. By moving to the cloud, small businesses are reaping big benefits, including: Co Cos st sa savings vingsLower per computer and per server maintenance costs because you pay for what you use and can purchase additional capacity on demand Flexibilit Flexibility y and manageabilit manageability yScalable storage options offer additional capacity as needed and platforms can be automatically updated and adapted to the changing needs of the business Speed and agilit agility ySkilled vendors and a common infrastructure allow rapid deployment of changes and remote access allows work to be done anywhere a web browser is available Increased business f focus ocusCloud computing saves time, allowing you to focus on your core business and customers Added data pro protection tectionImproved data security and system reliability, especially for small businesses with aging computers or data stored on hard drives that are not backed up regularly Now that you know what cloud computing is and what it can do for small businesses, we have compiled five questions to help you decide if the cloud is right for you: 1. Do you find it difficult to budget f for or technolog technology y purchases? By turning to the cloud, small companies can achieve a significantly lower total cost of ownership for their IT resources. There is no need to purchase software licenses or expensive servers. Maintenance issues such as downed servers or outdated software, and the costs associated with them, become negligible since your cloud services provider is responsible for maintaining the hardware and software. Add in the cost of physical floor space to house multiple servers, plus the electricity required to run them, and cloud services begin to look rather attractive. In addition, cloud computing can be priced according to your usage of software or storage. If you need to ramp up and hire 10 new employees who need 10 new online software licenses, your cloud computing vendor can quickly and easily scale up. When you need to scale back down, it is just as easy to reduce the number of online software licenses.

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Data Sheet: Symantec.cloud Are You Ready For the Cloud?

2. Are you s strug truggling gling to manage your individual computers and net network work infras infrastructure? tructure? Much of the day-to-day job of an IT manager or technology consultant is putting out fires and managing the immediate needs of the business. Its not uncommon for a small business to be running the email, website, file storage, backup, security management, finance, and accounting programs all on one server that is being managed by an overworked IT manager. Compare that situation to an application delivered securely over the Internet, hosted on a server farm with the latest equipment, and managed and maintained around the clock by IT experts. In this case, an unexpected boost in traffic to your website will not slow down your entire network as it might with server-based, on-premise applications. Your cloud-based solution provider responds in the moment with potentially higher service levels and functional expertise. One of the benefits of a cloud computing infrastructure is that client computers require less software, resulting in fewer conflicts and crashes. The cloud services work independently so software update conflicts are of no concern. In-house IT departments often struggle to keep up with the latest best practices. Imagine having a cloud services vendor support your companys low-level infrastructure, eliminating mundane maintenance challenges and freeing your IT resources to focus on higher-value IT services for the business. Simultaneously, you free up your network, allowing those tools remaining onsite to perform better. 3. Is it difficult f for or you to k keep eep up with current trends such as mobilit mobility, y, or implement changes to your infras infrastructure? tructure? Because the bulk of hardware, software, security, and maintenance are managed by the cloud services vendor, a cloud-based infrastructure is flexible and responsive, allowing you to leverage new capabilities and implement changes quickly and easily. Small businesses must stay agile to compete. New software, security updates, or hardware appliances can all be provided to benefit users at a much faster rate than most in-house IT departments could hope to achieve. In the cloud, speedy deployment and swift adoption are the norm compared to complex and time-consuming deployments typical of the past In addition, accommodating an increasingly mobile workforce becomes a cinch when your companys applications and resources are hosted online. Your users simply connect through a Web browser from a desktop, remote laptop, or mobile device to access the full power of your online network. Cloud-based computing also enables collaboration between and among employees, allowing colleagues to work on documents or manage projects simultaneously. Meetings can be arranged easily due to a variety of virtual meeting services. Finally, cloud-based applications, unlike their legacy desktop counterparts, often integrate with one another easily. Robust Application Programming Interface (API) and integration tools tie many online software solutions together, allowing, for example, Salesforce CRM software to interact with social media tools or connect billing services to bookkeeping software with just a few clicks. 4. Do you wish you had more time to f focus ocus on your business? A common complaint from IT managers is that they have no time to think about the growth of their business, or how they can further leverage technology to boost profits, revenue, and productivity. Instead they are scrambling from the time they enter the office until after they return home. A cloud computing infrastructure frees your time, allowing you to focus on your core business. With fewer servers to manage and fewer client computers failing, youll have time to build competitive strategies that give your company the tools and processes it needs to grow.

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Data Sheet: Symantec.cloud Are You Ready For the Cloud?

Many companies think a good IT department is one thats fixing computers, securing networks, and ensuring the Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone system is working. However, a great IT department is really one that helps its business strategically use technology to advance the overall company goals. 5. Do you need to pro protect tect your compan companys ys digital assets? After its employees, your companys information is its most important asset. Online solutions can help secure your IT environment since experts are partnering with you to protect your applications and data. Cloud computing can provide inherent security to remote employees. In some cases, employees are only accessing data and applications through hosted servers, and no data is stored locally. However, in most cases, small businesses are deciding that a hybrid solution is best, where they utilize some data or applications in the cloud and leave some remaining on company premises. Viruses can still wreak havoc on your local computers, and malware and malicious scripts can destroy your network. With these threats in mind, ensure any local data is backed up to protect your infrastructure. Client computers, on-premise servers, overall network, local data, and applications must be secured, encrypted, and protected with complex passwords. Regardless of how mobile users work, in the cloud or on local computers, their devices need to be a part of a backup system so that any locally stored information is protected. Security software to protect against viruses, malware, and unauthorized access must be installed as well. Security is not just about protecting data. Its also about ensuring your own business continuity. Primary and secondary data centers and redundancy plans work to keep your information and applications available and secure. With cloud computing, your service provider promises an unfailing service, effectively taking responsibility for your business continuity policies. However, it is always a good idea to understand your cloud service providers service level agreements and the measures they use to protect your data. Cloud computing offers important benefits for small businesses. With the promise of significant cost savings, flexible options designed for agility, and a workforce that is free to focus on its companys core offering, its no surprise that small businesses are leading the charge to move their computing infrastructure and software to the cloud. Learn more about Symantec small business offerings at (small business site) and Symantec cloud offerings at: http://www.symantec.com/cloud

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Data Sheet: Symantec.cloud Are You Ready For the Cloud?

More Information Visit our website http://enterprise.symantec.com To speak with a Product Specialist in the U.S. Call toll-free 1 (800) 745 6054 To speak with a Product Specialist outside the U.S. For specific country offices and contact numbers, please visit our website. About Symantec Symantec is a global leader in providing security, storage, and systems management solutions to help consumers and organizations secure and manage their information-driven world. Our software and services protect against more risks at more points, more completely and efficiently, enabling confidence wherever information is used or stored. Headquartered in Mountain View, Calif., Symantec has operations in 40 countries. More information is available at www.symantec.com. Symantec World Headquarters 350 Ellis St. Mountain View, CA 94043 USA +1 (650) 527 8000 1 (800) 721 3934 www.symantec.com

Copyright 2011 Symantec Corporation. All rights reserved. Symantec, the Symantec Logo, and the Checkmark Logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Symantec Corporation or its affiliates in the U.S. and other countries. Other names may be trademarks of their respective owners. Symantec helps organizations secure and manage their information-driven world with endpoint virtualization, server virtualization, and application virtualization. 21190854 05/11

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