I use Google apps for mail, calendar and some docs if collaboration is required so when I arrived into the office this morning to find that Google apps mail and Gmail were down it hit home how much we rely on the cloud for some of our core functions.
Just wait for the wave of cloud computing and SaaS opponents singing “I told you so!” and to some extent they would be right but it really depends on how good your setup is and how you use today’s technology to run your business.
I’m still a staunch supporter of SaaS and cloud computing and here’s a few reasons why:
- Mail servers go down. Its a fact of life and I would back Googles super qualified tech team to get it up and running quickly without data loss over a team of middle of the road IT guys.
- If you use Gmail or Google Apps mail be smart about it. Download Google Gears to give you offline access to your email. Sure you cant get new email if they’re down but you can search, read and compose.
- Hardware dies, gets stolen or lost. It happens all the time. Think about the implications of this happening if you are travelling on business. If you’re running a traditional setup where you connect to the head office for email, calendar etc you will need an IT guy to either send you a new laptop or come out and install/configure all the crazy voodoo VPN software that they use to secure the connections. If you’re running in the cloud and accessing services via the browser then you simply head to the nearest shop, buy a new laptop and you’re back in action. Cloud wins!
- There are more ways to comunicate than email alone. IM, Twitter, Yammer, Facebook and various other social tools are becoming increasingly popular alternatives and don’t forget theres also the trusty telephone.
I could go on about reasons to swithc to the cloud all day but that’s enough for now. Google apps is still down but I have some emails to compose.
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