1. Flexible working hours from anywhere and from any device

Office 365 migration permits your employees to access the company files away from the office without having to set up the VPNs, and it saves time and hassle. If you move to the cloud your employees can work from any place if they have access to an internet connection. It is terrific for progressive companies permitting their employees flexible working hours for better productivity. Because your files are centrally located in a data center owned by Microsoft there is a single data source available. If you make any changes to a document from home your colleagues in the office will get to see them. The days of emailing the new versions of data by using excel documents are gone.

2. Business data is secure

There are several security features associated with MS Office 365 that will make sure that the business remains secure in the Cloud. The applications of Office 365 can be accessed via TLS/SSL encryption. This ensures that if the files and communications are intercepted with malicious intent by someone, he will not be able to read them. MS continuously monitors their systems by performing regular security audits and they are constantly on the lookout for suspicious activities. They have a strong incident response protocol in operation. Other security benefits with Office 365 migration include,

· Updated antivirus signatures.

· Email protection from anti-virus software and anti-spam and malware filtering.

· Computing security measures trusted by MS.

3. Instantaneous upgrades and access available to the new features

As mentioned earlier MS is committed to making sure that your business is secure with the Cloud. Instantaneous updates are provided for all Office 365 solutions. You may avoid the need to go through the continuous cycle of having to update the business software manually. Be assured that the network is not susceptible to people looking to exploit older versions. You will also have access to the new features whenever they are launched permitting your employees the use of newer technologies for improving their productivity.

4. Greater mailbox storage

All businesses have a mailbox storage capability. No matter what the nature of the email is, the message remains in the inbox even in case it is spam and can be easily deleted. This may result in issues for the in-house servers and they can have their storage filled with old files that are not required for the present functionality of their business. If you can perform Office 365 migration it provides your employees the opportunity to maintain their files and emails safely within the cloud. Office 365 has a massive storage capability. It is also possible to automate the whole back-up process so that there is no need to spend time on it for manual working.

Many options become available with the Office 365 migration. You can also find the MS Office 365 partners providing advice on the situation you are facing. If you live in Clearwater, FL area you can get in touch with IB Systems USA for further advice about Office 365 migration.

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Specifically, we’re talking about an act dictating everything regarding how the website should look and function, not to mention that those who visit the website need clear and exact information. Also, it’s important to offer additional website security features, so visitors won’t be at risk of having their information exposed.

Therefore, the idea is simple: in order to remain HIPAA compliant, a website needs to follow specific requirements.

Install an SSL Certificate

Probably one of the most important steps you should take in the HIPAA compliance process is to have an SSL certificate for your website.

Technically speaking, this will show visitors that the website is fully secure and no data passing through it, like usernames, passwords, and any other sensitive information is encrypted and unreadable by and third parties. Simple as that. Oh, and it will turn the “http” in your address into “https”.

Remove clients information

There are situations where clients may require to have their information permanently removed from your website. And you need to be able to do this at any time.

Yes, you can keep and maintain the information after the visitor provides it, but in case of them leaving for another service provider, everything, including backed-up information, must be erased.

Encrypt everything

It doesn’t matter if we’re talking about information entered and submitted into your website or files, stored both locally and using a cloud service. Everything must be encrypted, no matter how many backups you’re using, in order to have a HIPAA compliant website.

Medical records need special attention, as once inputted and submitted to your site, you need to make sure they are protected since you are operating with very sensitive information.

Backup all the data

It is essential to back up all your clients’ information. Also, any kind of data collected by your website needs to be backed up as well, no matter if you’re relying on local backups or a safe and secure cloud solution.

Sign privacy agreements with employees

Most likely, the information stored on the website will be accessed by your employees, as part of their daily activities. However, to maintain the HIPAA compliant status, they must be authorized to do so.

It is your responsibility to inform employees about the need for signing a privacy agreement before giving them any levels of clearance or access to the information you store.

…as well as with business associates

There’s a high chance that you already have multiple business associates and work with third-party vendors. If they need to access the information stored on your website, they first need to sign a HIPAA Business Associate agreement.

This will keep your visitors’ information safe and, of course, maintain the website’s compliance with the HIPAA rules and regulations.

Of course, the list could go on, as there are multiple regulations a website should follow to remain. However, the ones presented above are clearly among the most important and the first you should consider following.

With over 20 years of experience, we, at IB Systems, approach any project with the determination to provide excellent results. Schedule a call today and our team will present you complete website development solutions, according to the HIPAA ruleset.

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Nowadays, for most of them, email is pretty much the most important component service provided by IT. However, it was observed that there’s a trend among organizations to move to cloud-based email for the past period, and this is definitely a sign of progress, as there are major benefits associated with switching to this type of service.

If you’re part of a company that is still waiting for the perfect moment to make the switch to cloud email, we’ve put together a short list with a few of the most important benefits, in an attempt to convince you that the future is in the cloud.

It allows you to save money

Probably the most important feature of this service is that it’s a subscription service model, meaning that it provides significant cost savings for implementing, but also maintaining the environment.

After making the switch, you basically get rid of the large capital outlay you’ve been using and convert your email to a monthly (or annual) operational cost.

No uptime problems

Using cloud email you will notice a serious uptime improvement, which allows a more optimal email usage. Since most cloud-based email providers are relying on multiple redundant sites, but also because the data is kept in the cloud, the entire organization will enjoy better uptime, as well as disaster recovery response times.

It’s simple to administrate

Another advantage of this switch – probably among the ones you’ll first notice – is that it’s very easy to administrate your email system. You won’t need to worry about issues with version control, neither maintenance issues that can come up. Keeping it short, all your administrative needs will be simplified.

It comes with improved security

When using cloud email, all your corporate emails will be stored in an off-site, highly protected location. This means that they’re more secure than if they were when you were using on-premises email services.

A cloud-based email provider is able to allocate more resources to securing facilities than most other organization out there. Basically, if you make this switch, you’re also taking a step in the right direction of further securing the company’s data.

Everything can be accessed from anywhere

Probably one of the most important benefits of cloud services is the ability to access files from anywhere. With cloud email, your remote workers can check their email anytime, no matter their location, thus making them more productive.

There’s a current push for mobile/remote workforce, so this type of email is definitely a plus if you’re following this trend. Basically, everything you need is an internet connection and you’re ready to go. And your remote workers will definitely be happy with this.

Obviously, these are a few of the most important benefits of using cloud-based email solutions. We shouldn’t forget that there’s no need to hire dedicated IT staff to manage all servers, not to mention that you don’t need to purchase software either and everything is completely scalable.

If your company is also interested in making the switch to cloud services – email, particularly – but feel like you don’t have all the information you need, our recommendation is to ask a specialist.

Founded in 1995 by experienced system consultants, IB Systems, Inc. can help you with all the details you need about cloud email – from picking the best provider to implementing the solution in your work environment. Just get in touch and you will be amazed by their professionalism.

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Nowadays, you just need to have an internet connection to take advantage of cloud networking and take your online business to the next level. For instance, you can exploit cloud computing for creating a backup of all your vital data to managing your CRM, ERP, and ERM modules. You or your business could benefit in the following ways by becoming a part of the cloud network.

Monitoring growth

Resources in the cloud are highly scalable or flexible which gives you the leeway to plan how best to use limited resources at your disposal. Cloud computing allows you to respond accordingly to your needs as and when they arise and spares you from the hassle of having to do guesswork which could prove to be risky. For example, if you need to team up with an outfit or individual for a specific project, you could use the partnership tools and techniques right away without having to plan in advance.

Enhanced collaboration

The biggest advantage of cloud computing is that the technology can be exploited by any device or gadget companionable with the net. This benefit facilitates improved collaboration and teamwork, especially for firms and companies who depend on employees based in far-flung and remote locations. Nearly 66% of micro, small, and medium enterprises can coordinate with their staff situated in distant locations through tasks lists and activity schedules.

For subscribing to cloud service, you do not need to download or install any software program. You simply log in to your web browser for accessing the services. You network with your colleagues via webcasts, video conferencing, and instant messaging. The benefit of sharing vital information with a larger number of stakeholders is that you are able to capitalize on potential business opportunities.

Failsafe data backup

Nobody knows better than you about the significance of your data archived in the hard disks of your computers. But what if your computer hardware malfunctions or is damaged due to some unforeseen disaster? You could end up losing whatever you had backed up without any chance of retrieval. Opting for cloud computing frees you up from the worry of having to lose your data as the same is backed up in a web-based location which can be accessed at anytime from anywhere you like. There are numerous service providers that provide data redundancy facility, enabling your database to be saved in different locations across multiple centers.

Monetary savings

When you sign up for cloud-based services, you enjoy another crucial benefit and that is upfront savings. You are spared from the need to maintain massive servers, upgrade your software apps, and renew their licenses, and so on. You also save money on electricity and using cooling equipment.

Optimum use of resources

Once you subscribe to cloud computing services, you are in a position to make the most of the services almost instantly. So you can devote the better part of your time, resources and efforts towards focusing on your business.

Better use of IT tools and human resources

Since the servers are located in the cloud, you do not have to depend heavily on aged hardware. The service providers of cloud employ dedicated and experienced staff implying that they can solve your issues quickly, thereby giving you an edge over your competitors who are yet to join the cloud.
Innovative Business Systems could collaborate with for providing cloud computing services. For details call 727-938-8891 or log in at www.ibsi-us.com

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Cloud computing is essentially computing over the internet. It is an extension of the concept wherein people used to run programs and applications from another physical server or computer in the same building or premises. The only difference is that you can run those applications using cloud computing from any place in the world now. You would only need internet connectivity and access to the desired cloud server. For a simpler explanation, we can take the example of Facebook. You definitely love to update your status on the move, but have you ever wondered how it gets updated instantly from wherever you are? It is the concept of cloud server that allows you to access your profile, pictures and stay connected from anywhere you have the internet. As per estimates, it is believed that approximately 90% of UK businesses use one or the other cloud computing services.

This leads to a question as for why are these businesses using the concept of cloud computing and why has it been on the rise rapidly? We try to list down top 10 benefits that have contributed towards the increased usage of cloud computing:

• Flexibility: It goes without saying that cloud-based services add to the aspect of flexibility for businesses. They are available in fluctuating bandwidth and with time a business has the option to scale up the cloud capacity as per the increase or decrease in demand. This aspect of agility offers the businesses to use cloud computing as a real advantage over its competitors.
• Recover data: Most of the big business houses invest a lot to have a robust disaster recovery mechanism. However, for small businesses, there has been both lack of awareness and funds. Moreover, they do not have the required time or infrastructure. Cloud computing comes to the rescue in such situations. Small businesses now have the option to implement cloud-based backup recovery solutions that not only protects data or saves time but also avoids any form of up-front investments.
• Automatic updates for software: One of the most amazing features of using cloud computing is the aspect of servicing. The service provider takes care of everything and releases regular software updates for its users. Hence, one need not worry about devoting time to maintain the system themselves.
• No capital expenditure needed: There is no need to invest in acquiring any form of hardware. It is a pay as you go service and you only pay for the space you use. Other things like setup, management, and protection come as added features with the service.
• Highly collaborative: Working in teams is a lot easier. Team members having the access to the cloud computing accounts can edit, share or perform collaborated tasks from any place on the planet. They only need an internet connectivity to get access to real-time collaboration.
• Work Remotely: In the past, for any team to work on a project, it was essential that the team was at a single place. However, with cloud computing in place, this is no longer the scenario. A team needs to connect to the internet and have access to the cloud servers and start working from any place. It is one of the aspects that have resulted in increased productivity and reduced costs.
• Better control and document management: With cloud computing, the level of document control also gets better. Traditionally employees had to send files to one another as email attachments and could only be worked by a single user at a time. With a lot of edits and several people performing the edits, there were greater chances of messing things up or corrupting the content, titles, or formats. But as all files are stored in a single place, everyone only gets to see a single version of a file. Hence, there is a greater visibility and this facilitates better collaboration. Hence, work can be carried out in a timely manner and in an effective manner.
• Highly Secured: Data is one of the most expensive assets of any company and losing them may be a disaster for the business. With cloud computing, you get a better degree of security and as it is stored on a cloud server, you need not worry if your machine fails or gets damaged. The data will remain where it has been stored and can only be accessed by people whom you want them to be accessed by.
• Competitive: Cloud servers are the next step towards introducing enterprise-class technology. It helps a firm remain competitive and allows them to act in a much quicker manner. With the option of paying as per use, small businesses are now able to use the technology and keep up with some real big players.
• Good for the Environment: Besides the points mentioned above, adopting cloud computing for your business benefits the environment too. Depending on the usage, the server capacity scales up and down to fit the fluctuating needs of the server. Hence, it ensures that you only use the exact amount of energy needed and not leave any kind of oversized footprints. Most of the cloud service providers pledge to offer sustainable solutions that leave minimal impacts on the environment.

Image credit: krisckam

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Cloud computing proves to be growing and evolving better as it gets more and more popular among the different sectors of government and industry. Whether you are managing a small size business or an empire, more people today are starting to adapt the philosophy of cloud computing, incorporating it in their business and services. How does computing operate and what are the advantages and disadvantages? It is important to properly understand what really cloud computing is before diving to this kind of trend now, especially when it poses some risks for your privacy and security.

Benefits and Advantages of Cloud Computing

• Achieve economies of scale. Cloud computing enables you to produce more while working with fewer people. This increases your profitability.
• Reduced spending on technology infrastructure. With cloud computing and the net, you don’t have to maintain hardware or a bigger infrastructure to store your information while making it accessible to the market. All you need is the net and a server.
• Globalize your workforce on the cheap. As long as one has an internet connection, people around the world can access your marketed products and view them. This is made possible without even paying much amount.
• Reduce capital costs. Since cloud computing provides a virtual infrastructure, you don’t have to allocate bigger amount of money for hardware and licensing fees.
• Improve accessibility. Again, as long as you have an internet connection, you can access you business or work anytime, anywhere. This aspect of cloud computing makes it easier for people to do multitasking. This also means accessing your work or data from remote areas.
• Less personnel training is needed. It is a fact that working with cloud computing allows you to employ lesser people only.

Cloud computing is indeed productive and very innovative both for government and the business industry. Cloud computing and the net allows information dissemination easier and less cost is needed. Also, cloud computing allows you to access data anytime and anywhere with different computers.

However, one must realize that aside from the advantages and benefits, there are disadvantages to consider. Once your data is stored in the cloud or the server, it will become public and accessible to any people browsing over the internet. If data is sensitive, you must be able to store it with a trusted and secured server over the clouds. Hacking attacks are prone in the cloud. Hence, one must be properly oriented before using cloud computing and the net or else, it could mean serious harm to your company.

Author Bio:

Liam Reed is an avid blogger on technologies and related topics. He is keenly following the speed at which VoIP is taking over the telecommunication field. He spends a lot of time understanding the technology and looking at the product and services being offered by major companies.

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