Grove Group Blog

Cloud computing offers a very attractive range of business and security benefits that are becoming harder for organisations to ignore. From everyday email and productivity applications to highly sophisticated geo mapping solutions.

As more and more businesses adopt cloud-based IT and operations solutions it is clear that Cloud is ready for you - the question is, are you ready for Cloud?

We’ve put together a list of important questions to ask yourself before ‘taking the plunge’. There’s no point in moving to the cloud if it’s not going to work for you right? It’s important to have a clear view of your existing solutions, what would work for you and how you would actually benefit. It’s a bit like social media - you need to be involved, but you don’t necessarily need to have an account for every provider under the sun.

Skype or Hangout? Which cloud solution first pops to mind when you need to collaborate with others? One of the many advantages of cloud computing is the array of great business level video conferencing applications that are now available.

Skype is a great quick and easy option, offering free and paid for versions where you simply click on a persons name and off you go. It’s also possible to make cheaper-rate calls to global landlines and mobiles and the solution comes with option to download the management console, Skype Manager. It is worth remembering though that you need a Premium account to chat to more than one person at a time.

Google+ Hangout is a great option too, launched straight from your mailbox or Google+ account, you get video conferencing and so much more. Free video conferencing for up to 15 people with an option to transmit ‘on air’ and a set of fully integrated apps with additional free email, calendar and social media platform. So, as they say, a bit more bang for your buck. There’s even an option to upgrade to a business account through Google Apps for Business for a mere $50 per user per year.

Each cloud application though has its pros and cons, so we’ve put together a list of what we think are the key differences between Skype and Google+ Hangouts.  

On the morning of Valentine's Day, Grove hosted 2 events - well - the same event in 2 different locations, London and Cape Town; ‘Business, Social and Technology Trends for 2013’  where we, along with industry experts, presented and discussed what lies ahead for businesses in the UK and South Africa respectively.

Obviously a topic close to the hearts of businesses in both countries, both venues were down to standing room only, with delegates at Google London HQ having to queue out the door to get in! Full of meeting-and-greeting, enjoying wonderful Valentines cupcakes and loads of great guest speakers (including recently ‘Gone Google’ business Haymarket) and of course, trend predictions for 2013, it seems both events went down a treat.

As Google+ turns 1 it can boast to being the fastest growing social network ever, connecting 250 million users in just 1 year.

But why should business care?

What the +??

Google will tell you that Google+ is different (from Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn), and the truth is - it is [Video]. The web is changing, and so is the way we interact with it. It’s human nature to want to communicate and interact, to share, and to connect with others with the same interests.

If you’re considering a cloud-based IT Strategy, our CTO, Michael Toop and Enterprise Sales Engineer, Louis van Schalkwyk, say there are a few key pieces of information you should know before making a choice about your solutions provider.

The 12 key questions you should ask potential solution providers are:

Businesses are so busy enjoying the benefits of allowing a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) policy that they are potentially overlooking significant risks.

As tech steams ahead and devices become more affordable, it’s not only big business that can afford the best toys; Employees can too - and they want to use it...now. According to Chad Bartlett, Grove Group Enterprise Sales Manager, this desire is moving quickly into the workplace and putting huge pressure on IT to deliver the same feeling of instant gratification.

With the Google I/O conference starting up yesterday the airwaves are buzzing with a load of new announcements, new products, and of course, updates on existing platforms.

Once such update announcement is that of Google+ Events - ensuring Google+ offers a ‘better, richer way for users to connect before, during and after events take place.’

It sounds great! We’re pretty excited (it has to be said) - and below we’re highlighting the key features, explaining why it’s so great for your business.

Google and its partner Onix Networking recently won a $35 million contract to run the U.S. Department of the Interior‘s new cloud-based email and collaboration system, a deal where Google went head-to-head with Microsoft.

The deal sees the Department of Interior become the largest major U.S. Government agency to switch to Google’s cloud to date.

You’ve heard people talking about “The Cloud”, and maybe you’ve done a bit of research of your own, but the big question is, “How would YOUR business actually benefit”?

1. Automatic Updates
You do not have to update any software yourself - it is all done by your Cloud provider, immediately as the updates become available.

2. Lower IT Costs
By moving to the Cloud you are effectively removing the need to purchase, maintain and update your traditional onsite IT infrastructure. In fact, with Cloud Computing, you only pay for what you use.

3. It’s Quick
As there’s no infrastructure on site, it’s quick to set up. It’s also very quick and very easy to add additional services or users as your business grows.

4. Increased Storage Space
The Cloud is online, and as such offers virtually unlimited storage compared to traditional servers and hard drive limits. If you need more Cloud storage space, you just pay for more space - as above, you only pay for what you use.

5. Flexibility, Collaboration & Productivity
Cloud Computing allows staff to access their data and files at any time, from anywhere and through any Internet enabled device, giving them total flexibility. The can work from home or even update customer/prospect data directly from a client meeting. Through the Cloud, employees are even able to collaborate on documents in real-time across company, geographic locations and time-zones. Documents can be viewed online by all parties simultaneously, negating the need for, and management of, version control. This enhanced flexibility and ease of collaboration means that staff can be more productive with their time.

6. Increased workplace innovation
A study recently conducted by the London School of Economics and Political Science, found that Cloud services could be so tailor-made to a company’s unique requirements that employees once bogged down with old processes & infrastructure were now free to think more creatively. According to the study, “With a cloud model, companies can think about processes at a level that is more detailed and personalised to their individual needs, but the solution will not need to be customised in older, prohibitively expensive ways.”

7. Freedom (Focus)
Removing the need for your very valuable IT department to focus as heavily on traditional IT maintenance and end-user support frees up time for them, and you, to focus on what you do best - your business.