Archive for February, 2010
Thursday, February 25th, 2010
Today, companies involve huge IT departments that are dedicated to storing and sharing extensive data. This means huge amounts of data and data servers being handled by companies who are at best minimally familiar with the ins and outs of computing. Presently there are more than 15 million computer servers operating globally. Every organization has to build its network for its peak demand leaving 80% of the running servers idle every day, which as you may imagine leads to huge waste of time and money for these companies.
There is an expansion of networks, computer storage and servers, and the growth has left companies wanting a new solution to their computing needs. “Data Utilities” will allow companies to discard their data storage infrastructure and hand off all their data storage and maintenance needs to third parties able to efficiently and responsibly manage them. These data utilities will allow sharing of servers to meet the peak needs of companies without requiring the company to pay for and maintain the server during its times of lower demand.
The concept of data utilities isn’t all that new, and we all use them everyday. For example, every time you share photos through services such as Facebook, snapfish, Shutterfly, Kodak, or Flicker, you are operating in the cloud and using a data utility. Similarly, the online software suite from Google Apps allows users to generate and access information and spreadsheets exclusively online. Users can create, edit, and share all sorts of files from any computer with Internet access.
Basically any kind of storage can be met by a data utility. It is estimated that the internet contains 5 million terabytes of data. That is just an initiating point since constant improvement will only increase storage demands. Data utilities will allow the collaboration of computing power, data storage, software applications, and other IT needs through a global network. It will permit businesses to concentrate on what to offer rather than technical know-how of how to offer the service.
At the time of great economic concern where cost efficiency is gold, the data utility trend has only hastened. IT decisions are being made based on economic reasoning as well as a technical viewpoint. Data utilities enable companies to utilize resources on demand and pay for them when needed.
Tags: Business, Company, Computer, computer servers, computer software, computer storage, computing power, data, data servers, data storage, Facebook, global network, google, HR, infrastructure, internet, IT, network, new solution, peak demand, server, snapfish, Software, software applications, software suite, storage demands, storage infrastructure, storage software, time and money
Posted in Business | No Comments »
Thursday, February 18th, 2010
Businesses of all sizes are witnessing an explosion in the volume of data they hold. Whether it is the result of the internet, email, or increasingly heavy and media rich application software, there is a massive growth in the volume of data all around. Data is increasingly being recognized as one of the real assets of a company, and losing this data would cause severe damage to any organization. An effective back up strategy is essential if your business is to be safe from the effects of data loss.
Companies big and small are under constant pressure to manage and protect critical data in complex environments, both in the data center and across multiple remote locations. Limited resources, complex IT environments and hyper data growth are inevitable no matter what size the business. Integrated Backup and recovery offers unparalleled data protection giving companies the ability manage the hyper growth without the hassle or drain on resources. Data duplication, remote storage, remote content management, and enhanced data security are just some of the benefits of such system.
StoneHill’s system, Backup & Recovery Server (BRS), provides this solution by providing a backup disk product that sends data offsite to multiple information centers and turns itself into a virtual server in the event of a client hardware problem. It saves time and effort with an “install in minutes” feature as well as reducing back up storage capacity requirements up to 95%. This recovery platform is incredible since it hacks backup windows up to 90%. The method provides a cost effective data security solution and is executed on an off-site disk backup system for rapid disaster recovery. The BRS system provides tremendous operational benefits since it is cost competitive, fast and secure.
Tags: backup, backup disk, backup recovery, backup system, Business, client hardware, data loss, disaster recover, disaster recovery, Hardware, hardware problem, information centers, IT, IT environment, real assets, recovery platform, recovery server, remote content management, security, server, Software, StoneHill's Website, storage capacity, Windows
Posted in Information Technology | No Comments »
Tuesday, February 16th, 2010
Image via Wikipedia
Cloud computing is a new technology which essentially utilizes the power of a cluster of servers to power a website by dynamically scaling resources such as processing power, memory and storage among others. Each server in the cluster can be thought of as hosting the website. If this is ambiguous to comprehend, then think of it as if your website resides on a super high powered server which never breaks down because this super high powered server actually is a combination of several servers working together.
It is a fact that maintaining a huge IT department is costly and a lot of corporations have no idea what networking and computer software involves. Cloud computing introduces strategies in which companies can send their files to people that can manage and handle them more effectively. With this facility, companies will be able to cloud into any kind of IT that they need including hardware, software, web hosting, networking, and etc. As a result, companies can focus on what to offer rather than technical details on how to offer their services.
Some of Technology’s biggest names are leading the cloud computing system. Google’s internet based word processor and spreadsheet program are fighting to replace the desktop version of Microsoft’s Word and Excel. But perhaps, even a better way to jump in the present is through the more vague service providers. These businesses provide the physical servers, hosting space, and means to communicate with them. Well-known names include Equinix (EQIX), Rackspace (RAX), and Terremark Worldwide (TMRK).
I believe there will be a vast amount of consolidation in the production over the next decade. The largest tech names will gulp up the less relevant players as a cheap way to gain admittance to the most recent breakthroughs. The new IT attitude of outsourcing will provide companies with more effective support and will further allow them to focus on what they do best, instead of struggling with computer issues and constantly breaking servers and networks.
Tags: Business, Computer, computer software, data, google, Hardware, internet, IT, microsoft, network, new technology, outsourcing, physical servers, processing power, rackspace, RAM, relevant players, server, service providers, Software, software web, Support, Technology, terremark worldwide
Posted in Business | 2 Comments »
Monday, February 15th, 2010
Google claims it’s new, experimental ultra high-speed broadband network will serve as a playground for developers, giving them the bandwidth they need to dream up next generation, data hungry online apps. But, Google may have other motives for its speedy network as well.
The whole transition from dial up to broadband has brought so much innovation to the internet, and now Google plans to make the delivery process for new applications even more intriguing and deliverable.
There are already concerns with the limitations on Bandwidth as businesses and consumer become more internet dependent. Internet applications such as video conferencing and telephoning are becoming so popular and accordingly so is the demand for bandwidth . As more businesses adopt internet related practices, traffic jams may take place and could affect the net. Google’s new super network may address these bandwidth concerns. As of now, the super network is in an experimental phase as Google looks to see how smaller businesses, consumers and institutions as well as the local government will utilize this high speed access. While Google promises new enhanced applications to increase the technology system on the net, the super network may also be the answer to the bandwidth troubles that currently face already existing applications.
But Google may also have ulterior motives for its super network. Google has been a frontier in providing internet services to consumers and stealing away consumer from other carriers. The new internet based technology, some say, may allow Google the opportunity to take control of internet services in the market as well. This may be a bit skeptical, but there is no question that a faster-speed super network will displace other carriers, and cause a shift in internet service carriers.
As the idea is still at its inception, Google has not yet completely figured out how it will deal with information ownership and privacy issues. Additionally, Google may have to figure out a way to work through the conflicts its new idea may cause with other carriers and providers that form the backbone of internet services and data communication. Such issues might be determining factors on the success of the super network.
So while the new super highway might provide the promise of new applications, and added support for existing applications, it’s still unclear how Google will address certain issues, and how the new super highway will effect other competitors in the market. We all know that faster is better, but what will the cost be to the market and consumers is yet to be determined.
Tags: bandwidth, Business, data, google, high speed access, information ownership, internet, internet applications, internet service, internet services, IT, network, next generation, privacy issues, speed broadband, StoneHill's Website, Support, Technology, Video, video conferencing
Posted in Business | No Comments »
Thursday, February 11th, 2010
“Green” back offices and data centers are becoming quite a trend these days — not only because of their energy efficiencies, but also because of the costs they save. With the economic downturn, making IT operations more efficient not only makes practical sense, but is becoming necessary. As your business grows your IT infrastructure will become more complex, therefore the time is NOW to implement strategies that will save time, energy, money, and increase your company’s overall productivity.
StoneHill Tech’s Green IT Strategies:
Go Virtual
- Virtualization dramatically improves the efficiency and availability of applications in your organization, reduces energy cost and improves operations by managing information traffic and workflow.
- By condensing all files and applications to one server, your business will best utilize your hardware and software resources.
Improve airflow: Improving airflow is easy and inexpensive. To immediately improve efficiency, ensure that:
- Cables, etc., are positioned so they do not restrict airflowMissing ceiling tiles are replaced so no cold air is misdirected.
- Hot air does not ecirculate, by flowing over the tops of racks or around the rows.
- Migrating racks to hot aisles/cold aisles is a continual process.
- CRAC units are positioned for maximum efficiency.
- Servers are designed with front-to-rear airflow.
- The return (hot) air plenum accommodates required airflow
Dispose of eWaste
It is probably no surprise that in our current age of technology and computer dependency eWaste (electronics waste) is the fastest growing form of toxic waste in the world. However, since society has begun to realize this there have been companies sprouting up all over that will actually come to your business and collect all your eWaste for free. We use an awesome local company; Go Green eWaste Recyclers.
Tags: Business, Company, energy cost, energy efficiencies, Green, IT, maximum efficiency, Recycle, virtualization
Posted in Business, Computer Support, Tips | No Comments »
Wednesday, February 10th, 2010
“Above the fold” refers to the story printed at the top of the page. The term originates from the newspaper industry where the story on the front cover is the most important story. It is the most sought after spot because it is what readers see first.
The web design industry picked up the term and many professionals are still biased about how it works. In companies employees and teams look for prominent positions to place their contents, assuming that the content below the fold will be missed. I am not 100% influenced by the “above the fold” concept. There could be no clear fold line since monitors vary in sizes, tool bars use space and browsers may not necessarily be full screen.
However, there may be certain design squeezes that can make sure that viewers notice detailed areas. A perfect example is Google. They managed to increase Google Earth downloads because they altered the “Download” button upward by 100 pixels. It is a proven fact that Google likes to show the world their speed and accuracy, but now they have designed a way for other companies to follow their lead. Google has once again astonished us with their technical expertise coming up with an application called “Google Browser Tool” that will show website owners how the layout and design of their website influences user exposure.
The company created “Browser Size,” a new tool from Google Labs that indicates how many people see certain areas on your webpage. The illustration is calculated from browser height and width information gathered at Google.com. A given point in the browser, the tool will tell you what percentage of users can see it. For example, if an important button is in the 80% region it means that 20% of users have to scroll in order to see it. If you’re a web designer, Browser Size can be utilized to minimize scrolling and to highlight the essential parts of the page that are always important to your viewers. This is a good tool to make websites better and making the web improved for everyone.
Links:
Google Labs Browser Size tool
Google Blog announcement – Browser Size: a tool to see how others view your website.
The new tool aims to help website owners figure out how the layout and design of their website should be made in order to attract more followers. Isn’t that great? The tool may not be perfect, but it appears that it’s worth a try, and offers an easy to see way of figuring out if your content is seen by your users the way you intend it to be.
Tags: Company, downloads, google, google labs, Help, IT, technical expertise, tool bars, web design industry, web designer
Posted in Tips | No Comments »
