cloud computing

How IoT Can Help the Service Industry

by

Today’s consumers expect speed, consistency, automation, accurate tracking and real-time notifications. It can be a challenge for service industry businesses to find or develop the tools they need to deliver on these expectations. Many business owners are incorporating Internet of Things (IoT) tools and platforms in an effort to give customers what they want.

The Benefits of IoT for the Service Industry

The Internet of Things offers several options for improving service. These include advanced process automation, asset tracking, predictive maintenance and more. There’s one capability, however, that provides the greatest benefit to the service industry. This is known as service tracking.

What is Service Tracking?

Service tracking provides real-time visibility and updates on a task’s progression. This is useful in a wide variety of industries, from restaurants to salons to repairs and more. According to IoT For All, service tracking generally follows these steps to track a task:

  1. Sensors embedded in equipment or in cameras observe the task, looking for specific indicators that the task has progressed.
  2. The data gathered by the sensors is transmitted via the internet.
  3. Observational data is fed into a centralized platform on the cloud and is transformed into insight about the task’s progression.
  4. Front-end software applications share data with stakeholders. For example, you might get a notification that your food has been delivered or your oil change is complete.

How Service Tracking Makes the Service Industry More Efficient

Using IoT to automate service processes creates efficiencies that benefit both the customer and your business. These include:

  1. Lower wait times
  2. A better customer experience
  3. Increased operational efficiency and profitability

How could the Internet of Things make your business more profitable? The Vaultas IT Ecosystem makes IoT integration easy. Contact us today.

Vaultas is a technology ecosystem provider that facilitates direct access to any network or service provider. Our services include colocation, cloud, hybrid IT solutions, connectivity, communication and collaboration including UCaaS and CCaaS, disaster recovery and business continuity, hosting, consulting, energy conservation and much more.

Our primary ecosystem access points are located in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, as well as Alexandria and St. Cloud, MN, and Milwaukee, WI, with remote access from anywhere in the world. Contact us to get started. 

How to Reduce Your Company’s Cloud Spend

by

As more companies move more parts of their business to the cloud, many are finding it difficult to control cloud spend. Because of the many benefits of the cloud – which we’ll discuss below – there is good reason to understand and optimize cloud spending.

According to a recent report, companies are going over their annual cloud budget by an average of 23 percent this year. In addition, IT executives expect cloud spend to increase by nearly 50 percent in the coming year. So what can companies do to lower their overall cloud spend – and stay within their budget?

The Benefits of the Cloud

The cloud provides different benefits to individual companies, depending on their usage and needs. However, there are a few general benefits that apply widely across industries and companies – and are why the cloud is so universally appealing.

  • Flexibility
  • Scalability
  • Predictive costing
  • No upfront capital expenditures needed
  • Automatic maintenance and upgrades
  • And more!

 

 

 

How to Reduce Cloud Spend

Because cloud use varies so much from organization to organization, it’s difficult to list cost reduction strategies that apply universally. Megaport advises companies to optimize costs wherever possible. Cloud connectivity is generally a good place to start.

When organizations transition to the cloud, they often connect using public internet and VPNs. For greater security and performance, a dedicated circuit or other alternative may be a good option. However, that can result in a higher total cost of ownership.

So what’s the solution for over-budget cloud spend? Consider Network as a Service, or NaaS. Enlisting an experienced service provider to handle network design and implementation will save money, time, and confusion. NaaS will allow your company to streamline cloud connectivity, connect from a single network interface, transport data more securely, and make the cloud easier to use and understand.

Do you need help reducing your cloud spend? Contact Vaultas today!

Vaultas is a technology ecosystem provider that facilitates direct access to any network or service provider. Our services include colocation, cloud, hybrid IT solutions, connectivity, communication and collaboration including UCaaS and CCaaS, disaster recovery and business continuity, hosting, consulting, energy conservation and much more.

Our primary ecosystem access points are located in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, as well as Alexandria and St. Cloud, MN, and Milwaukee, WI, with remote access from anywhere in the world. Contact us to get started. 

How to Know Whether Cloud Data is Secure

by

Your company’s data is its most valuable asset. Losing customer, financial, strategic or any other information to a hack or cyberattack could be disastrous for your company’s reputation and bottom line. Many businesses simply don’t recover from a data breach. And because storing data in the cloud creates more opportunities for hacks, it’s even more important to ensure that cloud data is protected.

When data is sent to the cloud, the virtual road on which it travels is easily exposed to route hijacking, hacking, and other cybersecurity threats. According to Megaport, many businesses don’t realize the vulnerability of their cloud data, making them even more susceptible to hacks. If you’re not sure whether your cloud data is secure, here are three things to ask.

Determining Whether Cloud Data is Secure

Are the Company’s Connections Private?

If any part of your data’s cloud journey involves public internet connectivity, consider establishing direct, private peering between data destinations. This reduces data’s exposure by taking it directly to its destination, rather than making stops along the way.

Does the Company Have a Secure Multicloud Strategy?

Even if you transport your data via private, secured connections, it’s at risk every time it’s transported. In a secure multicloud connectivity strategy, cloud providers will privately communicate with one another without having to travel across the internet. This shortens data’s journey and keeps it safer.

Are the Company’s Cloud Connectivity Platforms ISO Certified?

ISO certifications are international standards that specify requirements in various aspects of IT (along with many other industries). To receive an ISO certification, companies must prove that they meet all technical and legal requirements, and that they have the necessary safeguards in place. Check with all companies that handle your data and IT infrastructure to ensure they have the proper ISO certifications. If they don’t, it may be time to find a new cloud provider.

Do you have questions about whether your cloud data is secure? Give Vaultas a call. With our wide network of vendor partners, we can help you find the right cloud and IT providers that meet your company’s unique needs.

Vaultas is a technology ecosystem provider that facilitates direct access to any network or service provider. Our services include colocation, cloud, hybrid IT solutions, connectivity, communication and collaboration including UCaaS and CCaaS, disaster recovery and business continuity, hosting, consulting, energy conservation and much more.

Our primary ecosystem access points are located in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, as well as Alexandria and St. Cloud, MN, and Milwaukee, WI, with remote access from anywhere in the world. Contact us to get started. 

Why Does the Network Matter?

by

As companies adapt to a new reality, they are increasingly relying on multiple IT service providers to replace traditional infrastructure and meet ever-changing IT needs. For many, this means transitioning to new platforms and providers, and to cloud and colocation services for more reliable storage, operations and security. So what does this mean for the network in 2021 – and beyond?

Why the Network Matters in 2021

Both in-house and cloud computing needs are growing and changing – and connectivity and bandwidth needs are shifting too. According to Megaport, organizations that rely on public internet connectivity will find themselves at a disadvantage, plagued by security and reliability issues.

the network
photo credit: @brett-sayles accessed 6/9/21 via CC0

At the same time, migrating company data into cloud environments – and establishing the connectivity required to support them – is growing increasingly complex as demand increases. In order to maintain a fast, secure connection that supports employee needs and company operations, IT managers must understand the network options. Further, they must choose a reliable, scalable solution that meets company needs.

How to Choose the Right Network Connectivity

To streamline and simplify IT, many companies are turning to IT as a Service, or ITaaS, models to operate and maintain their IT platforms, products and services. Not only does this simplify IT management, but it also improves performance and increases security.

One service under the ITaaS umbrella is Network as a Service, or NaaS. This provides on-demand, dedicated connections to cloud providers and networks, as well as software and integration with cloud providers. NaaS providers can also – and perhaps most importantly – help you determine the right network connectivity solution for your company’s unique needs.

Need help finding the right network for your business? Contact Vaultas today.

Vaultas is a technology ecosystem provider that facilitates direct access to any network or service provider. Our services include colocation, cloud, hybrid IT solutions, connectivity, communication and collaboration including UCaaS and CCaaS, disaster recovery and business continuity, hosting, consulting, energy conservation and much more.

Our primary ecosystem access points are located in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, as well as Alexandria and St. Cloud, MN, and Milwaukee, WI, with remote access from anywhere in the world. Contact us to get started. 

What is the Technology Ecosystem?

by

As we enter the sixth month of COVID-19, shutdowns, social distancing and remote work, many companies are starting to think long-term. It’s clear that the current situation will most likely persist for many more months, and the world will look much different when we return to “normal,” whatever that will be. So how can companies meet the challenges of this new reality? Better yet, how can they leverage the current situation to improve their processes and operations? The Vaultas technology ecosystem can help.

What is the Technology Ecosystem?

There are many different definitions of a tech or IT ecosystem, depending on the context in which it’s used. For our purposes, we define the Vaultas technology ecosystem as the coalition of vendors, suppliers, tools and services that deliver custom IT solutions for businesses and institutions.

How Can the Technology Ecosystem Deliver for Your Business?

At Vaultas, we have access to nearly 200 suppliers of IT tools and services, allowing companies to select the individual solutions that are right for their specific needs. We have the skills and experience to integrate your selections into a cohesive, efficient IT system that will work for you.

Fast, Efficient and Automated

Gone are the days of waiting weeks or months for a new IT system to be built and installed. We can identify and connect the right solutions for your business in a matter of days. Systems will be integrated and automated, allowing your team to focus on your business and customers instead of the IT hassles that devour so many resources.

The Power of Choice

You know your business and its needs. The technology ecosystem gives you the ability to select the tools and vendors that are exactly right for your company. And in this current climate, with all options on the table, there’s no better time to exercise your power of choice and find an IT solution that will deliver for your employees, customers and stakeholders.

Vaultas Is Your Trusted Advisor

We know that the options can be overwhelming. That’s why we’re dedicated to helping you navigate the ecosystem from start to finish. As your trusted advisor, we’ll harness the latest trends, identify needs, and help you harness the IT solutions that will give your business a competitive advantage. A trusted advisor is a CIO’s best friend, and Vaultas has the experience to play that role.

In short, the Vaultas ecosystem provides options, improves efficiency, and saves money. From security and connectivity to cloud and colocation, managed services, voice, and everything in between, let the technology ecosystem change how you do business.

Businesses are facing a wide variety of challenges as they navigate our new reality. The Vaultas IT ecosystem is here to help with all of them.

Vaultas is a technology ecosystem provider that facilitates direct access to any network or service provider. Our services include hybrid IT solutions,  data storage and backup, disaster recovery and business continuity services, hosting, colocation, cloud storage, data center consulting, hosted PBX and VOIP solutions, and more. 

Our primary ecosystem access points are located in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, as well as Alexandria and St. Cloud, MN, and Milwaukee, WI, with remote access from anywhere in the world. Contact us to get started. 

How to Make Long-Term Remote Work Successful

by

Whether stay home orders are extended or not, many businesses are now planning for several more months of remote work. With this knowledge, many managers and executives are shifting their mindsets. Instead of focusing on the essential tasks and emergency preparedness that had to take place in those first tumultuous weeks, companies are now thinking about how to approach remote work in the long term.

At Vaultas, we’re here to help businesses of all sizes with the transition to a remote work strategy. Here are a few important aspects to consider as you develop work from home tools and policies.

IT Security

When multiple employees work from home, the risk of hacks and cyberattacks increases significantly. Vaultas can perform a cybersecurity audit and recommend upgrades and additional tools to keep your employees, data and hardware safe. Contact us to learn more.

Protecting Customer Information

In a similar vein, it is essential to take all necessary steps to protect customer information. The reputation of your company depends on it. In addition to security technology, you may need to enact policies and train employees on data protection.

Technology

IT environments that were set up for an office might not easily translate to home. Do employees have all the tools they need to perform their job duties effectively and efficiently? Will you need to adjust standard practices to meet new technology limitations? Can you continue to operate without disruption to customers?

The Vaultas ecosystem was built for challenges like these. Our ecosystem has security, IT and network assets that can be leveraged and deployed quickly. Whatever your IT challenge, don’t hesitate to reach out and see how the Vaultas ecosystem can help your business during these challenging times.

Vaultas is a technology ecosystem provider enabling direct access to any network or service provider. Our services include hybrid IT solutions,  data storage and backup, disaster recovery and business continuity services, hosting, colocation, cloud storage, data center consulting, hosted PBX and VOIP solutions, and more. 

Our primary ecosystem access points are located in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, as well as Alexandria and St. Cloud, MN, and Milwaukee, WI, with remote access from anywhere in the world. Contact us to get started. 

Tips for Migrating a Database to the Cloud

by

The cloud has become an essential tool for business. In fact, a recent survey found that more than 90 percent of organizations have adopted the public cloud, with 75 percent adopting the private cloud. It’s clear that businesses are seeing the benefits of cloud migration, such as increased flexibility and lower costs. This translates to additional benefits and savings for companies with robust databases. By moving a database to the cloud, businesses can take advantage of the cloud’s elastic scalability to create space for database growth.

There are, however, some best practices for the process of migrating a database to the cloud, as recently discussed on the Mission Critical blog.

Migrate Applications and Databases Together

It doesn’t make sense to migrate a database to the cloud without also moving the application it supports. This ensures that the application and the data that supports it remain in close proximity to one another, hopefully preventing any outages. It also allows the scale to be adjusted according to demand.

Move Nonessential Applications and Databases First

In order to minimize downtime and the impact on customers, companies should initially only migrate applications and databases that are not mission critical. To identify these nonessential programs, look for those that have the least impact on customers, business operations and revenue. Also examine the security requirements, looking for applications and databases that require less security. Then, once those are migrated and the cloud scaled appropriately, should customer-facing applications and corresponding databases be moved.

 

 

 

Deploy Security Tools

Before and during migration, it may be beneficial to deploy security assistance tools into the cloud. This will allow for increased visibility and protection of the cloud environment, and will help monitor the effectiveness of the security tools put in place by the cloud provider.

Break the Database into Parts

Databases can be large and complex. To minimize customer impact and avoid issues affecting the entire database, migrate it in parts, following a strategic execution plan. There are some database conversion tools that can assist with this complicated task.

Migrating a database into the cloud can be complex, but Vaultas is here to help. We are a premier provider of IT solutions, providing data storage and backup, disaster recovery and business continuity services, hosting, colocation, cloud storage and more in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Contact us to get started.

Transitioning to the Cloud: Common Issues and How to Overcome Them

by

Across industries, geographical areas, business types and sizes, and even internal departments, the cloud continues to transform the way business gets done. More and more businesses are turning to cloud-enabled IT infrastructure – not just for storage, but for operations – seeking greater efficiency and cost savings. However, there are a few issues businesses commonly experience when transitioning to the cloud. It’s important to be aware of these potential pitfalls before and during the cloud adoption process.

Security and Data Protection

There are several concerns related to the security of data placed in the cloud. Encryption is a good way to protect data. However, in one survey of IT department managers, one-third admitted that their company’s data was only partially encrypted. Failing to fully encrypt data can lead to data breaches, a loss of customer information, fines, legal proceedings, and damage to corporate reputation. It’s essential to take the necessary steps to protect information in the cloud.

Compliance

Businesses must follow strict compliance rules or face severe financial penalties. However, there seems to be some confusion about whether companies or cloud service providers are responsible for protecting the personally identifiable information in the cloud. Ultimately, it is the company’s responsibility to protect its customers’ information and bring itself into compliance with compliance regulations.

Additional IT Department Work

While migrating to the cloud can save a company time and money, that savings often comes with a trade-off: an increased burden on IT departments. IT teams report spending more time on managerial tasks after moving workloads to the cloud. This can mean less time to spend on improving data security and on general IT projects.

So how can businesses overcome these burdens to realize the efficiencies that come with transitioning to the cloud? At Vaultas, we’re experienced in cloud migration, complex or hybrid data center solutions, data security and much more. We can help businesses gain maximum efficiency while maintaining compliance and security. Contact us today to get started.

Edge Computing is the Newest Trend in Hosting

by

In our previous blog posts, we’ve discussed server hosting in detail – the different types and the benefits of server hosting. Today, we’ll cover one of the new and popular trends in the hosting word: edge computing.

Edge computing may seem like a complicated concept, but it’s really pretty simple. It entails a network of micro data centers that store or process the most critical data locally, and push less important data to a cloud storage warehouse or a central data center. This results in a smaller local footprint and faster processing times.

There are many benefits to edge computing, which can explain why it is growing so quickly in use and popularity.

 

Benefits of Edge Computing

  1. It’s more reliable in instances of breaches, outages or intermittent connectivity. This is a big plus for companies who are looking to implement or improve their disaster recovery and business continuity processes.
  2. It’s more secure, processing personal information locally instead of within the cloud.
  3. It’s faster, providing better response times for internet-connected devices.
  4. It can reduce costs, because it allows businesses to cost-effectively decide what information gets sent to which location.
  5. It gives a boost to businesses with multiple locations by allowing data processing to occur at the site while communicating with the home office.

Edge computing is especially beneficial for applications within the Internet of Things (IoT) – devices and objects with the ability to automatically transfer data over a network – which are growing in popularity. Edge computing allows for streaming data to be captured in the moment.  This can prevent devices from failing, and can also prevent defects, reroute traffic and optimize production and speed.

Ready to find a new hosting solution? Give Vaultas a call at 888-998-2858, or contact us online. With custom solutions to meet the most demanding IT needs, we’ll work with you to find the best hosting products for your business.

When Should Hosting Be Outsourced?

by

If you’re in need of a hosting solution for your business, you may find the options and process confusing. What’s the difference between website and storage hosting? Can we manage our hosting in-house, or should we outsource some of it to a third-party provider? Does it make sense to let someone else manage it all?

When determining what and how much to host, the first and best advice we’ll give is to get in touch with a reliable company and ask a few questions. At Vaultas, we’re happy to talk businesses through the details of our hosting solutions, and to help determine what exactly they need.

On the question of outsourcing some or all of the hosting services, what you choose will largely depend on: 1) your company’s personnel resources, 2) your company’s financial resources, and 3) the type of business you conduct. Managing your IT infrastructure in-house can save money, but it will also require an investment in the personnel and technology required to manage it.

One option is to choose an IaaS, or Infrastructure-as-a-Service, provider to manage select hosting needs, while managing others in-house. This allows companies to save money while outsourcing some of the more complicated aspects.

For companies without the personnel or IT resources to manage any part of the infrastructure, fully managed services may be the way to go. A service provider should function as a partner – fully knowledgeable about the company and its needs, and ready to step in whenever assistance is needed. This is a more costly option, but it allows for smoother day-to-day operations.

An important note: if a company does business in healthcare, banking, insurance or financial services, there are federal regulations on security and compliance that can make it more difficult to manage in-house.

Vaultas offers a wide variety of hosting options, including website, application and storage hosting solutions. If your business needs a more custom solution, we can tailor any of our services to meet your needs, providing nonstop, comprehensive support to ensure that there are no interruptions.

To learn more about hosting, cloud storage, data storage or any of our other hybrid IT solutions, visit our website and get in touch for more information and a free quote.

All About Edge Computing

by

Edge computing has become one of the fastest-growing trends in data storage, cloud computing and hybrid IT. But what, exactly, is edge computing? Basically, it is what it sounds like: service providers that operate at the “edge” of existing data centers, rather than in a central data warehouse or in a cloud.

edge computing

To break it down a bit more, let’s examine edge computing from a historical standpoint. Initially, it began as an effort to improve web services for internet users who lived outside of large metropolitan areas like New York and San Francisco. By storing applications and content on servers closer to mid-size cities like Minneapolis and St. Paul, the literal “edge” of the internet was extended to those smaller markets.

So what does this mean for business and internet users? There are many advantages to edge computing. For applications within the Internet of Things (IoT) – devices, digital and mechanical machines, and objects with the ability to automatically transfer data over a network – edge computing allows for streaming data to be captured in the moment, which can prevent parts from failing, prevent defects, reroute traffic and optimize production.

In addition, businesses with multiple office locations can process data at the site while communicating with the home office.

In general, edge computing can improve processing speeds and ease pressure on network resources. This is because, depending on how they’re implemented, edge computing systems may process only the most time-sensitive data at the origin, and send less vital data to the cloud for analysis and data storage. This improves response time and conserves network resources.

There are some challenges, however, such as issues with security and network configuration. It will be interesting to see how these concerns are addressed as hybrid IT continues to grow in popularity and usefulness.

At Vaultas, we offer a wide variety of data solutions, cloud storage and hybrid IT that can be easily customized to meet the needs of your business. Contact us to for a free consultation to determine which data solution is right for you.

Should You Move Your Business To The Cloud?

by

Cloud solutions have grown increasingly popular in recent years, and for good reason. By placing all of your company’s computing services – including software, programs and data – in the cloud, employees can access everything they need to do their job with just an Internet connection. As the workforce becomes more mobile, moving to the cloud just makes sense.

Need a few more reasons to move your business to the cloud? We’ll list a few below. To learn more about the cloud solutions offered by Vaultas, visit our website or get in touch today!

Cloud solutions are scalable

Only pay for what you need, when you need it. If your business grows in size or offerings, simply add more cloud compute power or storage capacity to meet your new business demand and needs.

Easier collaboration

By moving all of your documents and programs to the cloud, employees can collaborate more easily and with fewer errors. This is especially helpful if some or all of your workforce is remote or telecommutes.

Greater security

What if a laptop with sensitive company information was lost or stolen? If your business is in the cloud, using VDI or RDP, you can simply block their log in and/or remove their access to any information altogether. None of your company data needs to be at risk. The cloud also inherently provides solutions for your disaster recovery and business continuity requirements.

Increased mobility

We live in an increasingly mobile society – and that extends to the business world. Even if your employees don’t work from home full-time, having cloud solutions empowers your company to allow employees greater flexibility to telecommute if and when they need to.

Lower cost

By not having to pay for a separate data center or unused resources your company will save significant money for your company that can be spent on additional revenue generating activities. Generally, cloud services are offered with a la carte pricing, so you’ll only pay for what your business needs – and never for more than you use.

Are you ready to move your business to the cloud? Vaultas has a variety of cloud computing solutions that can be customized to meet your business’ needs. Contact our Minneapolis cloud storage specialists today to learn more.