"Save it on the cloud!" "Sync your cloud or change your cloud provider for Syncs directly from your iPhone." "A local and Cloud File Manager enabling one view to manage files from multiple Clouds." "What.. you don't have Dropbox?!" All you hear about these days in regards to storage, hardware and programming usually involves the almighty "Cloud" in some shape or form. I tend to get nervous about devices such as USB and CDs as my primary backup device. What happens if they break or you loose them than your computer crashed? You will loose everything. The cloud allows you to safeguard files and data that are vital to your existence, not to sound so extreme but for a nonprofit that information is usually just that important. Since we have talked a lot about cloud based software in our past few webinars I felt it was important to become better acquainted and up to date with the cloud.
Anna Jaeger's blog, Why Should Nonprofit Care About Cloud Computing?, provides a straight forward definition of the cloud, "Essentially, cloud computing enables computer software and hardware resources to be accessed over the Internet without the need to have any detailed or specific knowledge of the infrastructure used to deliver the resources. You really don't need to know what the phone or electric company does on their end to enable calls and make the lights to go on when you flip the switch; and, you really don't want to know as long as it works." The cloud really isn't as confusing as it seems and many people actually use cloud based programs everyday without even knowing. These cloud based programs include Google's Gmail, Snapfish, Facebook, and even Mason Live. If people understand that they use cloud based software everyday than they may be more inclined to change to this type of software and are likely to become less intimidated.
To better understand the cloud I'm going to do a SWOT.
Strengths:
- The Cloud is essentially a green technology because the power is shared and concentrated between high efficiency data centers while "decreasing the amount of IT infrastructure" in an office space.
- A majority of computing and storage takes place online your organization will use less power and be able to use computers that are cheaper. "The new cloud computing companies have developed economies of scale far beyond what most companies can achieve with their own systems."
- Labor costs and added labor/salary will decrease because there will be a decrease in the need of IT support personnel. "According to Jaeger, the basic advantage of cloud computing is that people don't have to maintain infrastructure for applications, which saves labor costs, as well as electricity costs. Also, people can access the applications anywhere they have a computer and Internet access."
Weaknesses:
- Security is an issue that many cloud users worry about because it is not as a controlled environment as other storage devices and confidentiality may be compromised.
- When using the cloud your organization is relying on the "host company" to maintain and protect all of your data and changes can occur without your knowledge. Jaeger explains, "The disadvantages to cloud computing are mainly that users are dependent on the companies that host applications to maintain them and also to keep user data intact and protected. Changes in applications often happen without user knowledge or consent, and user data is controlled as well by the host company."
- With the cloud, you are ultimately dependent of the Internet and without it you will not be able to access the cloud and your information.
Opportunities: (For this section I wanted to quote it directly from the site because I think Jim Lynch explained it in terms that are easy to understand in his blog,Considering the cloud? What organizations should know before making the plunge)
5 Trends for the future of the Cloud in regards to nonprofits (aka Opportunities for the Cloud)
1) More and more applications and IT services are moving to the cloud, so it's offering more IT choices and hence is making IT decisions more complicated and more confusing. Some cloud-based services like webhosting, HR services, and conferencing (like Skype) are already well developed in the cloud, while others like security and IT service and maintenance will take longer to develop. You might consider plugging more in to online social networks and also the TechSoup Community Forums to ask questions about which services are appropriate to your specific situation.
2) For the next 6 to 8 years we'll be in a state of hybrid cloud adoption, so for instance, more people will be using both "on premises" and cloud versions of standard office software like Microsoft Office, or a combination of the installed software and a different online collaboration or document-sharing suite. The way people use computers will change toward easier collaboration and sharing and better access to the office anywhere you are. You might consider developing more robust management capacity to supervise and support a remote and more mobile workforce.
3) The cloud hype promises to do many things like reduce software and IT staffing costs. In the next 6 to 8 years, nonprofits will probably not be reducing software and IT staffing costs very much - particularly if you've been able to receive donated software applications through TechSoup, where most nonprofits and public libraries can save dramatically from what retail costs would be for the same applications. Migration to cloud software and services will be gradual and costs will be shifting, but not going down much; at least not right away. If you've not been eligible to receive donated software, then the costs will generally be much less expensive to move to the cloud. You'll probably being paying more in monthly fees, and less in buying software packages.
4) There is not yet an IT system that is fully hosted in the cloud (for example, you just get your computers to the Internet and everything you need for day-to-day functions is hosted there), though platform as a service attempts to address this. Cloud adoption will be gradual. For instance, you might find a database service that is useful, or an online meeting service like ReadyTalk, or begin using cloud-based storage like Windows Live SkyDrive. As time goes on you'll probably be using more cloud based IT software and services and fewer "on premises" software and services.
5) IT hardware costs will gradually go down for nonprofits over the next 6 to 8 years. You will probably need fewer on premises server computers, and less robust and expensive desktop or laptop computers as more of your work is online. However, the cost of servers may go up as fewer organizations and companies need to use them, and they end up being designed for a higher-level niche. We'll be covering this field much more extensively in TechSoup's GreenTech program.
Threats:
- With the absence of the Internet connection due to power failure, bad weather or poor service provider, work cannot be completed and vital information cannot be accessed which can cripple the organization.
- Security!! Donor information such as credit cards and personal information could be accessed to third-parties which could affect not just your donors but your organization's reputation.
- Lack of IT support
There are many technical infrastructure and platforms pertaining to the cloud however I think that it is important for those in the nonprofit sector to understand the advantages and disadvantages rather than the technical information during decision making. Half of your staff will listen and not comprehend those technical terms. Sometimes I think it is better to leave those things for those who truly understand it and can use the information to better access the situation. Techsoup.org has a lot of additional resources regarding the cloud. These link are very helpful in further understanding the use of the cloud and how it can help a nonprofit.
The TechSoup Blog
Why Should Nonprofit Care About Cloud Computing?
Blogger: Anna Jaeger
December 7, 2010
Cloud Basics for Nonprofits and Libraries
Considering the cloud? What organizations should know before making the plunge
By: Jim Lynch
November 2, 2010
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