LA IT Support: Is Your Business Ready to Adopt Cloud Computing?

LA IT supportLA IT support providers can help you make the cloud switch in as cost-effective a way as possible. There are many factors to consider as you adopt the cloud, not least of which is competitiveness. There is widespread adoption of cloud computing in terms of traditional office infrastructure. Google G Suite, Microsoft Office 365, and a number of other cloud options are available. Which works best for your organization will depend on your business. Before you make the switch, you want to ask a few questions. There’s a time and place for everything. If you jump to the cloud too early, you compromise profitability. Do the switch too late, and you’ll–as mentioned earlier–be less competitive. But answering key questions can tell you if the time is right:

  • What does cloud adoption look like now?
  • Is your business the kind to keep tech on-premises?
  • What do hybrid options look like?

What Does Cloud Adoption Look Like Now?

LA IT support providers have increased their provision in terms of cloud computing, and the trend is expected to continue. According to Forbes, over half a trillion dollars will be spent on cloud infrastructural solutions by the end of this year. It’s expected that this trend will continue unless some unpredictable factor inexplicably halts technological progress. With that in mind, if there are areas of operation which can securely make the transition among your business, it would make sense to look into the shift.

Is Your Business the Kind to Keep Tech On-Premises?

There are 1,271 different organizations run by the government for terms of intelligence and roughly 1,931 companies that work on a “private” or “contractor” basis effectively doing the same thing. All these businesses are peppered throughout 10,000 separate locations across the US. Many of these businesses cannot use cloud computing solutions because the information is of a delicate nature that is sought by competing agencies. The same is true for some medical organizations, some technology development firms, and some educational institutions.

What about your business? Is there a reason data must be kept on premises or are you courting an informational luxury that is undermining profitability? If you are, it’s time to upgrade.

What Do Hybrid Options Look Like?

Thankfully, there is a way to have your cake and eat it, too. Hybrid options incorporate on-site solutions with off-site solutions for a public/private hybrid cloud, providing the maximum in cost-effectiveness, security, and competitiveness.

Finding the Best Option

LA IT support providers can help you determine when to make the cloud computing switch. We can also help you make the transition. Contact us now at Advanced Networks for more information.

Using IT Consulting in Los Angeles to Get Ahead in Terms of Cloud Computing Trends

The Cloud’s Here to Stay

IT consulting in Los AngelesAn IT consulting firm in Los Angeles help you differentiate between technology that’s of the “flash-in-a-pan” variety–that is to say, ephemeral–and technology that has staying power. Cloud computing is a kind of technology that is vetted by many as longstanding, and for good reason: it’s used internationally at practically every level of business, from the individual to the corporate enterprise.

The cloud’s first permanent place in the market came in the early nineties, and for over 20 years, it’s been expanding in momentum–almost like a massive cumulonimbus slowly increasing in size as it moves toward you from some western horizon.

The industry will be worth more than $160 billion by some estimates as of 2020. It’s getting to the point where cloud computing is less an innovation and more a standard. Accordingly, migrating operations to the cloud makes good sense. However, there are ways which are better than others to accomplish this thing. If you’re going to migrate your operations to the cloud, you want to do it right.

Making the Switch Effectively

An IT consulting firm in Los Angeles can help you to avoid common mistakes as regards cloud computing migration. Additionally, they can help you to expedite the process. Some businesses will be small enough that the transition can be made over a weekend, whereas some may require most of the year to make the transition. You’ll need to take stock of your business and determine that which is most important.

Different businesses will have different areas of importance as regards migration. Working with the right MSP in terms of migration consultation is essential. Such organizations can go over your business with a fine-toothed comb and even help qualify areas of migration.

Something else to consider here regards security and access privileges. Some proprietary information is so sensitive that it should perpetually remain “in-house”, as it were; while at the same time, the primacy of infrastructural technology is better hosted via cloud. Additionally, operational solutions through the cloud can be facilitated in terms of software as well as data analysis. Big Data utilizes cloud computing and Internet of Things (IoT) to build a digital picture in real-time which can be acted upon for greatest profitability.

Making the Switch

IT consulting in Los Angeles from Advanced Networks can help your business remain as efficient as possible. The cloud trend has yet to reach its fullest maturity, but it has overcome initial “bugs” and has greater sustainability than it has. Getting involved now makes sense. Contact us now to determine what cloud options will best fit your business and the best way to make the migration.

LA IT Support: File Sharing Solutions via Cloud Computing

LA IT supportLA IT support providers often help businesses reduce complication in terms of file sharing through the introduction of cloud computing solutions.

With cloud computing, all you need is a dependable internet connection and the ability to use that connection. From a smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop, all that is on a given network can then be accessed. Now, there are private, hybrid, and public cloud options that can be brought into play in this way.

Private Cloud Computing

Private cloud solutions may utilize an on-site server array and, perhaps, be more correctly characterized as an “intranet.” They would function very similarly to the internet and there may be an interface program that functions similarly to a browser.

Public Cloud Utility

A public solution, in contrast, would involve a cloud server array on which space is apportioned for a given business. Cloud server arrays are already massive and expanding. Right now, the largest server arrays are already well over a million servers— and they’re just getting bigger. LA IT support can help your business determine whether the use of such solutions fits your model in a way that agrees with necessary security pertaining to operations or not.

That said, imagine you’re working with a business who is also on the same cloud. Transfer of data is essentially just an issue of permissions. The right MSP can help you interface with peers, partners, and clients on the cloud in a way that is less complicated and more secure than perhaps it’s ever been.

Hybrid Cloud Combination

A hybrid cloud solution would combine both the public solution and the private one. Basically, that which is especially sensitive or proprietary remains on the private cloud, while infrastructure and other things of a non-sensitive nature are hosted through public clouds.

Additional Cloud Advantages

Cloud computing reduces the need for on-site hardware, which additionally reduces cost. Between cost-reduction from reduced hardware expense, expedited file sharing, increased security, and access to greater computing power, there are a lot of things which recommend cloud computing for businesses both large and small.

As another example of a cloud advantage, consider Big Data, which uses the many servers in modern cloud arrays to process and manage exceptionally large data-sets in a way that is essentially instantaneous.

LA IT support through Advanced Networks can help you create better file sharing solutions through cloud computing solutions. We can additionally help you determine which cloud solutions are best for your business. Contact us for more information.

IT Consulting Firms in Los Angeles Increasingly Provide Cloud Services

IT consulting in Los AngelesIT consulting firms in Los Angeles have increasingly begun to provide cloud computing solutions for diverse clients, and this trend is looking to continue. Convenience and cost reduction are two concepts which basically summarize the reason for this switch, but there are more in-depth reasons worth considering as well. These include:

  • Enough space for any business
  • Better security than onsite solutions
  • Continuous availability of services and support
  • Increased speed in interface, data transfer, etc.

Enough Space for Any Business

Legal firms are migrating to the cloud en masse. Certainly, not all of them have made the switch, but many have— and it makes sense. There is a ubiquity of paperwork generated during even small legal cases. Managing this can be a nightmare, and it takes a lot of time. Just moving a group of files from one location to another takes a lot of time and energy, and physically storing them is expensive. Cloud computing eliminates the majority of those problems. Data can be scanned up to the cloud and immediately requisitioned as necessary, then printed if that’s also necessary–but with continuous accessibility wherever an individual happens to be, a tablet can surrogate paper in many situations.

Not only legal institutions have made the switch, but they represent an excellent object example of why cloud computing has become an increasingly sought service from IT consulting firms in Los Angeles.

Better Security than Onsite Solutions

When it comes to security, onsite servers as managed by onsite techs are limited in terms of safeguarding by the knowledge of those managing them. Certainly, professional techs are going to do a good job of safeguarding systems, but their modus operandi isn’t the continuous development of their IT knowledge for the purposes of serving multiple diverse clientele. Additionally, your onsite servers aren’t being continuously augmented to be competitively cutting edge. In the cloud, technology is being updated like this, and it is imperative that those maintaining the cloud increase their knowledge set regularly. Plus, they deal with different clients, so they can see problems from multiple angles and account for them.

Continuous Availability of Services and Support

If you want to have onsite personnel managing data internally available around-the-clock, you’ll need multiple teams that have fail-over staffing for when somebody gets sick. Ultimately, you’ll spend many times what you would in the cloud, which has such availability built into its operational model. Especially, considering that offices are becoming increasingly outsourced, it becomes obvious that cloud computing represents a substantial advantage here.

Increased Speed in Interface, Data Transfer, and More

Even if you’ve got the best onsite servers, unless you’ve got hundreds–or even thousands–of them networked together into a single array, you just can’t match the speed of the cloud. The largest cloud arrays have over a million servers networked together. That’s a lot of computing horsepower at your fingertips! No wonder legal teams prefer the cloud as do many other businesses.

Upgrading to the Cloud

An IT consulting firm in Los Angeles like Advanced Networks can help you make the cloud switch, advise you on which cloud computing solutions are best for you, and optimize your overall operations. Contact us now for top-tier cloud computing solutions.

5 Questions to Consider When Looking For an IT Services Provider in Los Angeles

When you’re looking for an IT services provider (MSP) in Los Angeles, there are certain questions you need to ask in order to determine if they’re going to be able to serve your business properly. Some of those questions include:

  • Do they serve businesses similar to yours?
  • Do they have any certifications?
  • Do they provide cloud computing services?
  • What’s the monthly cost of operations?
  • What kind of things does the business provide on a monthly basis?

Similar Services

The right IT services provider in Los Angeles should provide services to organizations similar to yours. They should also be able to provide vetted reviews and testimonials from similarly situated businesses to help assure you that their offerings are “above the board”, as the saying goes. If the MSP you’re considering serves no clients like you, then it’s likely they’ll mishandle your company’s IT needs.

Certifications

What kinds of certifications does the IT provider in question hold? If they don’t hold any, that’s a pretty strong indicator that you may need to look elsewhere. However, you can’t just take the fact that they hold certifications at face value. There are certifications that demonstrate some standing, some don’t. You need to determine if any certifications are held and what kinds they are.

Do They Provide Cloud Computing Services?

Cloud computing is absolutely integral in the modern-day workplace. It is quickly coming to define the market with the kind of impact that hasn’t been seen since the internet itself came onto the scene. Lost files are no longer a pressing issue when automatic updates can be put to use so that every change in your network is documented and logged. Additionally, cloud computing provides a high quotient of computing power, security, and innovation that can save your business time and money while enhancing its internal security.

Monthly Costs

You need to be sure that monthly costs of the MSP you’re considering are within your budget and reasonable. You want a discount, but you don’t want something so “bottom of the barrel” that you know something is wrong. However, if all the other questions on this list are answered, then perhaps that’s not a bad thing. This is one reason you ask a lot of questions. On the other side of the same token, you don’t want to pay more than you should. There is no shortage of MSPs that overcharge because they know they can get away with it. You’re looking for a balance.

What Kind of Monthly Services Are Provided?

Cloud computing is one thing you should look for. Additionally, you should look for security solutions, help desk support, and technology innovation. Finally, you should also ensure that whatever monthly services are provided should match the needs of your company.

Securing MSP Support You Can Rely On

IT services in Los Angeles from Advanced Networks can help your business maintain operations in a way that is cost-effective, innovative and cutting-edge. Contact us for the most sought-after technology solutions, as well as burgeoning trends, like cloud computing, which are coming to define the market. We can help you find the best suite of services for your business and ensure comprehensive tech support.

How IT Consulting Firms in Los Angeles are Evolving with the Cloud

While there are various IT consulting firms in Los Angeles to choose from, the ones on the cutting-edge work with the cloud and beyond. Many businesses are realizing it’s a helpful solution for storage as well as collaboration on applications. Here are some of the ways that the cloud has transformed modern business:

Primary Cloud Benefits

  • Lower costs – reduces the need for onsite hardware
  • Integrates with cross-platform systems
  • Easy file sharing
  • Remote access to data and applications anytime/anywhere
  • Allows it support to explore new innovations
  • Automated solutions
  • Access to a wide array of subscription software services

Emerging Cloud Developments

The most innovative IT consulting firms in Los Angeles are using the cloud as a medium for simplifying tasks. This leads to a more efficient and productive work environment. The cloud has steadily evolved over the past decade to now encompass hybrid clouds, multi-cloud solutions, IoT, and edge computing.

Hybrid clouds are for businesses that thrive on flexibility, scalability, and agility while providing robust security. A hybrid cloud allows you to combine local IT infrastructure with storing data in the cloud, as well as access to cloud computing for workloads. Essentially, you’re able to utilize private and public clouds.

A multi-cloud is a similar but more expanded concept. It allows you to run applications over various clouds. Many firms use at least four different clouds. This concept has manifested into a realm of greater protection of data, in case of a cyberattack.

It’s wise to store copies of your digital assets in multiple places, in case something prevents you from accessing a particular account. Power outages and human error (e.g. overwriting files by accident) can and often do occur sometimes. If you have immediate access to backups, the problem won’t disrupt business continuity. One issue you need to be aware of, however, is that some applications may not work the same way when shifting to another cloud.

Mobile and IoT Technology

The proliferation of mobile devices and the advent of the Internet of Things (IoT) are other key developments that blend well with cloud computing. The fact that many businesses are adopting a “bring-your-own-device” model is helping cut hardware and maintenance costs. IoT, which is the connection of various data generating devices with the internet, is producing an enormous amount of data. The cloud accommodates unlimited storage space, especially on cloud-based virtual machines.

Edge Computing

One way to speed up data transmission is the use of edge computing. It’s a process in which data processing occurs on the edge of a cloud with a closer connection to the data-generating device. It gives you access IoT data in real-time. This dynamic sidesteps the conventional cloud computing process of data taking long journeys across the internet to data centers. The faster flow of information is extremely beneficial to tech, financial, media, and healthcare organizations.

Conclusion

Several IT consulting firms in Los Angeles offer local services, but the ones that offer both onsite and cloud solutions are the ones paving the way for the next generation. At some point, maybe even something more powerful will surface, as technology accelerates at a rapid pace. Contact us at Advanced Networks to learn more about cloud computing and how we can modernize your operation.

How IT Services Experts in Los Angeles Can Help You Avoid Potential Network Failures

IT services experts in Los Angeles have ways on how to avoid and deal with network failures. Prevention is especially important for small and medium-sized businesses that do not have enough funds to recover in the face of such disasters.

Data loss will definitely interfere with the day-to-day activities of the company. Some major causes of data loss may be human errors or even cyber-attacks. Thus, SMBs need to take proactive measures in order to avoid any network failures and be able to move on swiftly even when the network fails. The following steps will help you to avoid a network failure:

Preparedness

Being prepared for a disaster involves taking certain proactive steps. To know how to be fully prepared for a disaster, you must first know all your system’s shortcoming. The second most important thing is devising ways in which you will curb the weaknesses in your system in order to keep your network secure.

Weakness Identification

It is essential that you try to figure out possible causes for your system failure. Inspect every bit of your software and hardware. Carefully examine any possible external and internal factor that can cause network problems. In the process, you should be able to ascertain the following:

  • Test your backup process often
  • Ensure any custom-made software that you are using can be updated or reinstalled when necessary
  • Ensure that all data including those that are stored on mobile devices are backed up on a regular basis
  • Figure out how fast you can respond to downtime and minimize possible damage
  • Ensure adequate protection from viruses and hackers by changing passwords whenever your employees exit your company
  • Keep your backups in an offsite location which can be accessed fast in the event of fire, floods or disc corruption
  • Be sure that your business can come on track without much distractions in case of a network failure

How to Prevent Network Failures

The following are steps adviced by IT services experts in Los Angeles to avoid network failures:

  • Problems may arise due to data loss, and for this reason, SMBs are advised to back up their data every day to avoid any downtimes.
  • You should monitor your server drives to ensure that they are not full. Full server drives usually cause program crashes and slow email delivery.
  • It is essential that you inspect your backup procedures frequently. It could be very daunting for you to realize that all along your data has not been back up the way it should. By then, it could even be too late, as you will have lost so much. It is also advisable to ensure that your employees follow the proper backup procedures on their mobile devices.
  • Do regular reviews of built-in logs. This will help you identify small issues and correct them before they become a major problem.
  • Enable your virus and firewall protection to evade vulnerabilities to viruses.

IT problems can be a big setback for SMBs. Advanced Networks is an IT services provider in Los Angeles that can help you counter network issues. Contact us now for more information on how we can help you with IT-related issues.

IT Support in LA: Cloud Monitoring Makes All The Difference

According to the advice given by IT support experts in LA, you are driving businesses to your competitors if you don’t use cloud services.

To keep the IT infrastructure up and running 24/7 can be a challenge for small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs). They have limited IT resources and often experience downtime as a result. A slow loading website or one that doesn’t load at all will send customers looking to the competition for help. And that spells disaster for any business, big or small.

How Can Your Company Keep Your Customers and Employees Happy?

Keep your website, internal servers, and mobile apps up and running with minimal downtime. It’s that simple and that complicated.

There is a simple test to see if your current infrastructure and support is sufficient for keeping everything running as it should. Can your IT team go home at night and on weekends without constant worry about something critical going down? If your team makes regular visits back to the office to fix things when they should be resting and relaxing, your current system is just not working for them or for your customers.

What can you do? Cloud monitoring is the answer according to IT support experts in LA. It offers your company a way to keep your infrastructure up without overworking or stressing your IT teams.

Benefits of Cloud Monitoring Your Company Can Enjoy

  • 24/7 monitoring of your infrastructure – The faster a problem is detected, the sooner it’s fixed. With cloud monitoring, you get notified as soon as a problem is found and your IT team can get moving as quickly as possible.
  • Detecting potential problems before they develop – Many times, a problem starts out as a minor issue. When it’s not addressed quickly, it can compound and become a major outage level problem.
  • Meeting Benchmarks – How fast do you want web pages on your site to load? Do you want to know when your internal network experiences a bottleneck? These are just two benchmarks that you can have monitored.
  • Finding unapproved changes and instances of tampering – The most common reason for downtime is actually human action whether intentional or not. Cloud monitoring offers you a way to detect these actions and to correct them before they become an issue.
  • Reduce downtime – With your infrastructure under constant monitoring, you will minimize your downtime. In some cases, companies have seen a downtime reduction of as much as 75 percent. This makes customers and employees much happier.
  • Enhancing customer experiences – With faster load times and smoother transactions, your customers will be very happy with your website’s performance and will enhance their experience and opinion of your company.

If your company hasn’t yet made the leap to cloud monitoring, you should do now. Any downtime your infrastructure experience can drive away customers and negatively affect your employees. Shifting to the cloud is the first step. Contact us at Advanced Networks now to get it started. We are an IT support provider in LA that can help you make the transition to the cloud.