by myCREcloud | Sep 7, 2021 | Uncategorized
The digital and environmental footprint of cloud computing undoubtedly continues to expand – but is it harmful?
Cloud computing is a resilient option for businesses and individuals looks to avoid data loss, enable remote work, and allow businesses to scale.
The Pros
Cloud computing has made working online more efficient than ever before and has a surprising number of positives for the environment:
- People can work remotely, avoiding the impliciations of daily travel like pollution, fuel consumption, and day-to-day waste generated from actions like eating out for lunch or your Starbucks habit
- Energy usage has decreated by 87%, according to a Google study conducted in 2013
- Data centers recover and reuse heat
The Cons
- Equipment generates heat and tech must be kept at a cool temperature to run correctly, as a result, additional energy must be used to keep these areas cool
- Coolants and other battery back-ups are reportedly mined unsustainably.
The Takeaway
Cloud computing improves efficiency and provides an opportunity for more streamlined, cleaner technology. As a community, we will continue to strive for increased transparency from our technology providers.
by myCREcloud | Jul 22, 2021 | Uncategorized
Construction companies have been slow to adopt digital tools and few have fully digitized their operations. What are the challenges construction companies face when considering cloud computing, online invoicing and more?
- Unique Projects and a Lack of Repetition
Many construction projects are a one-time job and require unique solutions and a specified team that might not work together again. Exceptions to this situation include multi-year agreements and subcontracting agreements.
2. Decentralization
Businesses in the construction world tend to be decentralized due to the demands of their work and variance in project locations. While a “corporate” office might stay static, project sites might be remote.
3. Fragmentation
Construction projects frequently require the assistance of small teams of specialists from various organizations, creating a potentially chaotic map of company policies and procedures.
How can the construction industry overcome these challenges?
Improved flexibility
Cloud hosting and mobile business applications keep teams connected despite moving locations.
Ease of Access
Online cloud applications, like time keeping, invoicing, time management software, and business suites like Microsoft Office makes it easy for teams to collaborate across locations and times within an organization and can readily be exported to a format that can be shared across companies.
Savings
Eliminate redundancy and costly, outdated tools that can drain your business by migrating to a centralized platform like a private cloud server.
by myCREcloud | Jul 1, 2021 | Uncategorized
Ransomware infiltrates a user’s PC or mobile device using malicious software that is most commonly installed unintentionally after clicking a link in an email that’s posed as something else. Once it is installed, the software prevents users from accessing their files and demands a sum of money to unencrypt the data. The latest advancements in ransomware introduces a more serious threat for modern businesses, encouraging businesses to take stronger security precautions.
How does ransomware get to your devices or the cloud?
Ransomware is delivered in a wide variety of ways. It can be transferred through:
- Javascript exploits
- Microsoft Office macros
- PDF exploits
- Linus malware
- Backdoors
- Emails
Ransomware uses social engineering to bypass layers of security and once it infects one computer, it can easily spread to every device on the same network (and cloud) via automatic syncing. 1 in 10 companies has some form of malware in their storage – making a strong case for programs that auto-detect malware and recover before malware can spread.
The most common ransomware strains
- Bad Rabbit
- Cryptolocker
- GoldenEye
- Jigsaw
- Locky
- Maze
- NotPetya
- Petya
- Ryuk
- Wannacry
How Do I Prevent Ransomware?
Prevention is the best tool to protecting your devices and business from ransomware. Recommendations include:
- Keeping software up-to-date
- Using unique passwords for your online sign-ins
- Reducing the accessibility of cloud applications to only those who need them
- Reporting suspicious activity
- If you are unsure – take it slow and confirm with a colleague!
- Use two-factor authentication
by myCREcloud | Jun 24, 2021 | Uncategorized
More healthcare providers are utilizing digital records than ever before. Being able to store information securely off site is a significant benefit that was once not an option for medical and billing service providers.
What’s the appeal of cloud computing?
- Decreased costs
- Scalability
- Data Security
- Disaster Recovery
Elevating Healthcare
Cloud computing makes it possible to share critical patient information between hospital and health clinics, allows patients to access medical records, and provides a tool for patients to find medical resources.
Clinical Uses
- Physician-patient communication
- Pharmacy orders
- Electronic health record systems
Healthcare Management
- Task Management
- Revenue cycle tracking
- Inventory
- Time tracking
Patient Management
- Patient billing
- Insurance claims
- Interoffice communication
- Medical record transference
by myCREcloud | Jun 3, 2021 | Uncategorized
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) is a method of providing computing, networking, and storage via the Internet. IaaS enables companies to utilize web-based systems, applications and storage without needing to purchase, manage or support the cloud infrastructure. The most popular examples of IaaS platforms include Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft® Azure®.
Infrastructure as a Service is one of three main categories of cloud computing, along with Software as a Service (SaaS) and Platform as a Service (PaaS). IaaS is the fastest-growing cloud segment. IaaS lets you circumvent the complexity and increased cost of buying and managing physical servers.
What are the benefits of Iaas?
Storage: IaaS offers the processing power to collect and run large data sets significantly larger than the physical hardware budgets of many companies typically allow for.
Disaster Recovery: Natural disasters, fires, theft, or other unexpected events can be avoided by storing backup files or disaster relief plans with IaaS. Keep your business running, even if everything else is down.
High-Performance: Every app used or deployed by a company can be housed in IaaS. When demand grows , processing power can easily be scaled up.
Cost Savings: Reduce infrastructure costs as you no longer hardware for your data centers, eliminate the task of maintaining and replacing equipment, and enjoy 24x7x365 uptime. Pay for what you need, as you need it.
by myCREcloud | May 21, 2021 | Uncategorized
Cloud hosting is crucial to success in a post-COVID-19 world. The arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020 is has had a big impact on the scale of cloud adoption this year, but will the effects last long-term? Thanks to the arrival of vaccines in 2021, this year seems to have brought a ray of hope for economies across the world. Despite an uptick in spending and looser restrictions, this year is going to be critical for digital adoption and adapting to the ‘new normal’.
The Rise of Serverless Computing
Due to pandemic restrictions and the need to collaborate virtually, the tech world saw a massive increase in serverless computing. Businesses no longer have concerns about availability, scalability, provisioning of VM resources, maintaining servers, and other in-house infrastructure issues. Instead, they can focus on their businesses and productivity. This shift has also added to a reduction in maintenance costs and a consolidation of service providers.
Increased Efficacy
The cloud allows for streamlined processes and a reduction in additional outsourced layers of security – instead, businesses can be assured that their clouds are being managed through their cloud hosting provider. Tools like multi-factor authentication allow businesses and individuals to take extra steps to improve security without requiring additional support and services.
Preparing 2021 and Beyond
Infrastructure as a service (IaaS) providers are dominating the cloud world and have only gained traction throughout the pandemic. Organizations will be expected to adopt these services if they aim to stay current with technological advances. Centralizing your business operations and applications with IaaS will also be crucial for collaboration, as many businesses will continue to operate remotely.
