in the cloud:

using online tools to run your

organisation

Ian Goodman

@

We will cover

What do we mean by the cloud

How to move to the cloud

What are the benefits of cloud tools

What cloud tools are out there

Where to get further support/information

Cloud ComputingWhat is it?

Cloud computing is the use of computing resources (hardware and

software) that are delivered as a service over the internet.

Demystifying the Cloud: What is the Cloud?

• Old-School / Non-cloud: An electricity generator, with its requirements for space, hardware, petrol, etc., is old-school, or non-cloud.

• Cloud: Plugging something into the mains, and paying a monthly electricity bill only for what you use, is the „cloud‟ way of getting your electricity.

Simple analogy

Cloud ComputingWhat is it?

Two broad categories

1. Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)- Hosted servers/storage. Can be dedicated or shared

Example Providers• Rackspace, 1& 1• Rise, BT, Think Grid

2. Software as a Service (SaaS)– hosted software/applications. Usually shared platform

Example Providers• Google Apps – Online Office Tools• SalesForce - Customer Relationship

Management• Microsoft – Online Services (365)

Hardware/Software hosted externally and delivered via the internet

Reasons for moving to the cloud…

Drivers Technological Advances. Hardware more powerful,

software more capable, Cloud emerges Economic Climate - More for your money Flexibility - Organisations need to be agile Technically savvy staff/ „social networking‟

generation A highly competitive industry e.g.

HP/Dell/IBMMS/Google/CiscoApple/Blackberry/Microsoft/Android

Consequences More new products and “ways of doing things”

than at any other time New set of challenges – Decision making,

implementation, support & maintenance

What are the key (claimed) advantages?

Reduction of on premise hardware

Can prolong the life of the client machines

Centralised management

Provides better Disaster Recovery

Most providers offer a guaranteed up time of

more than 99%

Flexibility – can scale up & down

Lower cost of ownership??

Environmentally Friendly??

• Cost

• Scalable

• Security

• Accessibility

• Device independence

• No required hardware

Key Features

#1

How are you using cloud technology?

#2

What challenges do you face in making the best use of cloud technology?

#3

What is your technology wishlist?

#4

Tools to make your wishlist a

reality

#5

Finding the right tool:

Lasa Cloud Toolboxwww.ictknowledgebase.org.uk/cloudtoolbox

Finding Cloud tools by function

Back Office – including databases, accounting, file management etc

Publishing – social media, audio/video, web tools

Collaboration – document sharing, project management

Events and Meetings – planning, booking, online meetings

Big bang approach – move everything to the cloud

Charity Cloud

Microsoft 365

Further reading…

Cloud – what every charity leader should know -

http://www.slideshare.net/LasaCharity/cloudsourcing2013

Cloud computing choices for charities -

http://www.charitiesmanagement.com/charity-it.html

Guardian Voluntary Sector Network

- http://www.guardian.co.uk/voluntary-sector-network/2013/feb/11/cloud-

future-charities

Charity Tech News - http://www.charitytechnews.co.uk/tag/cloud/

ICT Knowledgebase -

http://www.ictknowledgebase.org.uk/internetbasedsoftware

Moving Your Database to the Cloud: Key Considerations to Prepare Your Move -

http://www.nten.org/articles/2013/moving-your-database-to-the-cloud-key-

considerations-to-prepare-your-move?