Cloud Insights

As cyber threats continue to evolve, so must our strategies for defending against them. For small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs), the digital world presents an array of risks, from Business Email Compromise (BEC) to ransomware and even the challenges that come with moving to the cloud. Whether your business operates fully in-office, remotely, or in a hybrid environment, cybersecurity should be at the top of your mind because, no matter your size, you’re a target. What are the most significant cyber threats to SMBs, and how can you begin protecting your essential business data? Here’s what the cybercriminals don’t want you to know. Top Three Cyber Threats to SMBs Understanding your business’s key threats is essential to building a robust defense. While cyber threats are numerous and varied, three consistently top the list for SMBs: Business Email Compromise (BEC) — The Cost-Effective Way to Steal Your Identity The number one threat facing SMBs today is Business Email Compromise. Why? Because it’s incredibly cheap and easy for cybercriminals to execute. BEC attacks involve tricking employees into handing over their credentials through socially engineered emails. It could be as simple as an email that appears to come from your CEO asking for a password reset or access to sensitive information. Once the hacker has access to your employee’s email, they can impersonate them, access other systems, reroute payments, or steal sensitive data. The integration of generative AI allows them to craft error-free, highly authentic-looking phishing emails, making it increasingly difficult for employees to spot the scam (we’ll talk more about AI’s role on both sides of the cybersecurity war in an upcoming post)​. According to data from the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), BEC attacks led to nearly $2.95 billion in reported financial losses in 2023, marking it the second most costly cybercrime behind investment fraud. The number of complaints also remained high, with over 21,000 incidents reported for the year. These figures highlight the growing sophistication and impact of BEC attacks, which have increased by more than 58% in terms of financial losses since 2020​. Ransomware — Holding Your Business Hostage Ransomware remains one of the most damaging and disruptive threats to SMBs. It’s designed to encrypt your data and hold it hostage until you pay a ransom to regain access — often with no guarantees that paying the ransom will restore your data. Ransomware groups like LockBit and RansomHub continue to target small and mid-sized businesses, exploiting vulnerabilities in outdated systems and relying on employees to make critical mistakes, such as clicking on a malicious link. In 2023, ransomware attacks surged globally, with a 72% increase in attacks targeting SMBs, and 2024 is set to set a new record. The cost of ransomware goes far beyond the ransom itself. Business downtime, lost revenue, and the reputational damage from a data breach can cripple a company. And with Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) making these tools more accessible to cybercriminals, it’s a growing risk for businesses of all sizes. The Human Factor — The Cloud Can Leave You Exposed With the rise of hybrid and remote workforces, many businesses have shifted their operations from on-premise servers to the cloud. While cloud solutions offer flexibility, scalability, and convenience, they also expose businesses to new risks. When employees were confined to the office, businesses could build a secure perimeter around their on-premise environment. But with remote work becoming the new norm, that perimeter is gone. Now, companies need to secure data and applications on-premise and in the cloud — a challenge requiring access controls, application controls, and data protection strategies. Despite their willingness to invest in new tools and technologies, many small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) face significant challenges in fully securing their cloud environments. According to recent reports, 48% of organizations identified budget constraints as a major obstacle to cloud adoption​. SMBs, in particular, struggle with managing multi-cloud environments and controlling long-term costs, which makes it difficult to implement comprehensive security measures. Additionally, as hybrid workforces expand, the attack surface grows, making it harder for SMBs to secure both on-premise and cloud systems​. This complexity, combined with a lack of resources, makes it increasingly difficult for smaller businesses to keep up with evolving threats. The CIA Triad — Protecting Your Business from Every Angle Cybersecurity threats can be understood through the lens of the CIA Triad: Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability. The CIA Triad is a fundamental concept in cybersecurity and provides a helpful framework for understanding how attackers target your business. These three pillars represent the core objectives of most cyberattacks: attackers either want to steal your sensitive information, compromise the integrity of your systems, or deny you access to your data. Confidentiality: Attackers seek to steal identities or access sensitive information, like customer data or financial records. This is often done through phishing attacks, where employees are tricked into giving up their login credentials. Integrity: Once inside your network, cybercriminals work to breach the integrity of your systems by launching malware or advanced persistent threats (APTs). These attacks can go unnoticed for weeks or even months, quietly compromising your operations. Availability: Finally, attackers often turn to ransomware, locking you out of your systems until a ransom is paid. This freezes the availability of your data and can bring business operations to a standstill. The best way to secure your business is to apply the principles of CIA to the data and systems you care about most. Ask yourself: How am I ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of my most critical information? Securing Your Business in 2024 — A Call to Action The cybersecurity landscape in 2024 is more complex than ever. From Business Email Compromise to RaaS and the challenges of securing cloud-based operations, SMBs face unprecedented risks. So, what can you do? Start by applying the CIA Triad to your data and systems. Ensure that you’re protecting the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of your critical information — and work with a trusted partner like Cloud at Work to secure your cloud infrastructure. Cloud at Work’s virtual private cloud hosting service offers a critical solution by providing a secure, managed environment tailored to the needs of SMBs — specifically those running Sage applications. The cyber threats facing SMBs are real, but they’re not insurmountable. You can navigate the cybersecurity landscape and protect your business by staying informed, implementing the right technologies, and working with the right partners. Contact us to learn how Cloud at Work can help safeguard your business and vital Sage applications in this complex threat landscape.

Imagine arriving at your office, ready to start the day, only to find that your entire system is locked down and held hostage by a faceless cybercriminal demanding a ransom. This scenario plays out in businesses of all sizes every day. This threat is all too real for small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) that rely on Sage business management solutions (Sage 100, Sage 300, Sage 500, Sage X3, Sage HRMS, and Sage Fixed Assets), and the stakes have never been higher. The Illusion of Immunity: Why Small Businesses are Prime Targets Many SMBs operate under the assumption that they’re too small to be targeted by cybercriminals. “Why would anyone bother with us?” they think. But this false sense of security is precisely what makes them attractive targets. Hackers know that smaller companies often lack the robust defenses of larger enterprises, making them easy prey. 2023 was an especially brutal year for SMBs. Over 60% of them experienced a cyberattack, with devastating consequences. The average downtime experienced after a malware attack is 21 days. Many of the target companies are unable to recover from the damage and shut down within six months. These aren’t just statistics — they are the grim realities faced by businesses that thought they were too small to be targeted. The Rising Tide of Cyber Threats The cybersecurity landscape is constantly shifting, with new threats emerging at an alarming rate. Three of the most prevalent and damaging threats are phishing, ransomware, and human error. Let’s explore each in more detail and how they’ve wreaked havoc on businesses like yours. Email Phishing Attacks — The Trojan Horse of Cybercrime Phishing is the most common entry point for cybercriminals. It’s deceptively simple — a fraudulent email masquerades as legitimate communication, tricking the recipient into clicking a malicious link or downloading an infected attachment. Once someone clicks on that link, it’s game over. Consider the case of Ubiquiti Networks, a major provider of networking devices, which fell victim to a phishing attack in 2021. Cybercriminals used a phishing email to trick employees into transferring $46.7 million to fraudulent overseas accounts. Although Ubiquiti eventually recovered some of the funds, the incident is a stark reminder of how easily even well-established companies can be duped. For smaller businesses, the risk is even greater. A single phishing email can lead to a data breach, exposing sensitive information and crippling operations. And with nearly 90% of successful breaches starting with a phishing email, it’s clear that no one is immune. Ransomware — Modern-Day Kidnapping Ransomware attacks have surged, becoming a favored tool for cybercriminals. These attacks involve locking users out of their systems or encrypting their data until a ransom is paid. And they’re not just targeting large corporations—SMBs are frequently in the crosshairs. In 2021, Colonial Pipeline, a major fuel supplier, was hit by a ransomware attack that forced the company to shut down its operations, leading to fuel shortages across the Eastern United States. The attackers demanded—and received—a $4.4 million ransom. While Colonial Pipeline was able to resume operations, the incident underscores the devastating impact ransomware can have, even on critical infrastructure. For SMBs, the costs of a ransomware attack extend beyond the ransom itself. There’s lost revenue, reputational damage, and the expense of restoring data and systems. And let’s not forget the disruption to business operations, which can be catastrophic for a smaller company. Human Error — The Weakest Link in Cybersecurity Even the most advanced security systems can be undone by human error. Whether it’s using weak passwords, mishandling sensitive data, or simply not recognizing a phishing attempt, employees can unintentionally open the door to attackers. In June 2022, Pegasus Airlines discovered an error in the configuration of one of its databases. An airline employee had misconfigured security settings, exposing 6.5 terabytes of the company’s valuable data. As a result of the improper configuration of an AWS bucket, 23 million files with flight charts, navigation materials, and the crew’s personal information were available for the public to see and modify. The incident highlights the critical role that human factors play in cybersecurity. Despite rigorous training and security protocols, the human element remains a significant vulnerability. For SMBs, where resources for training and oversight may be limited, the risk is even greater. Why Cybersecurity is So Hard to Solve Given the frequency and severity of these threats, why is cybersecurity still such a daunting challenge for SMBs? The answer lies in the complexity of the problem. The Evolving Nature of Threats Cyber threats are not static — they evolve. Hackers constantly develop new techniques to bypass defenses, exploiting vulnerabilities that didn’t exist yesterday. For example, in response to improved email filters, phishing attacks have become more sophisticated, with cybercriminals using deep fake technology to mimic the voices of executives in business email compromise (BEC) schemes. The rapid pace of innovation in the cybercrime world means that security measures must be continuously updated. What worked to protect your business last month may be inadequate today, requiring constant vigilance and adaptation. The Complexity of IT Environments As SMBs adopt more digital tools and platforms, their IT environments become more complex. Each new tool introduces potential vulnerabilities, creating more opportunities for cybercriminals to exploit. Cloud computing, while offering numerous benefits, adds another layer of complexity. Managing these environments requires a level of expertise that many SMBs simply don’t have. Resource Constraints Cybersecurity isn’t just about technology — it’s about people. SMBs often lack the resources, both financial and human, to implement comprehensive cybersecurity measures. Hiring cybersecurity experts, maintaining up-to-date defenses, and ensuring continuous monitoring are costly endeavors. These expenses can seem prohibitive for many SMBs already operating with tight budgets. Regulatory Challenges Navigating the complex web of cybersecurity regulations adds another layer of difficulty. SMBs are often required to comply with various standards, depending on their industry and geographic location. Non-compliance can result in hefty fines and legal repercussions. However, staying compliant requires a significant investment in time, expertise, and technology —resources that many SMBs struggle to allocate. A Path Forward — Smart Solutions for Business Defense So, how can SMBs navigate this complex landscape? The key lies in adopting a smart, comprehensive approach to cybersecurity — one that addresses both the technological and human elements of the problem. At Cloud at Work, we understand the unique challenges faced by SMBs. Our virtual private cloud hosting solutions are designed with security at the forefront, providing a fortified environment for your Sage applications. We offer advanced email security that filters out phishing attempts, robust ransomware defenses, and continuous monitoring to ensure your systems are always protected. But technology alone isn’t enough. We also focus on empowering your team with the knowledge and tools they need to recognize and respond to threats. By building a culture of cybersecurity awareness, we help you turn your employees from potential vulnerabilities into your first line of defense. Cybersecurity is a complex, ever-evolving challenge, but it’s one you can meet with the right approach. In the coming weeks, we’ll explore specific strategies and solutions in our comprehensive cybersecurity series, so stay tuned. In the meantime, contact us to learn how Cloud at Work can help safeguard your business and vital Sage applications in this complex threat landscape.

Making an informed choice regarding cloud hosting for your Sage ERP and Sage HRMS applications is pivotal for aligning your organization’s IT infrastructure with its business objectives. The choice often involves considering the merits and distinctions of private cloud hosting against its public and hybrid counterparts. What are the differences, and which is the best choice for hosting your Sage business applications? Public Cloud Hosting Public cloud hosting is characterized by a multi-tenant model where the infrastructure’s resources are shared across various organizations. The big players in this space are familiar names like Amazon AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud. While public cloud hosting can offer scalability and potentially cost savings, it may not provide the same level of control, customization, or performance predictability as a private cloud, which could be critical for businesses with specialized needs or those handling sensitive data. In addition, public cloud hosting introduces unnecessary complexity for Sage customers, leading to increased costs, potential delays, and a general sense of frustration. The reality for many businesses utilizing major public cloud services is a lack of direct interaction with their providers. Instead, their cloud relationship is filtered through various intermediaries — we often call them layers — from managed service providers to smaller cloud services. This multilayered structure can result in a messy accountability chain, where resolving issues becomes a game of passing the buck. Hybrid Cloud Hosting Model The hybrid cloud serves as a bridge between the private and public clouds, offering some of the benefits of both models. Cloud migrations often naturally lead to hybrid cloud implementations as organizations often have to transition applications and data slowly and systematically. Hybrid cloud environments allow you to continue using on-premises services while taking advantage of the flexible options for storing and accessing data and applications offered by public or private cloud providers. The hybrid cloud model can also refer to the common scenario where your business hosts some of its applications on a public or private cloud and has others installed on your on-premises server and access via your network or VPN. This is quite common. Many businesses we work with continue running some applications outside of “the cloud.” In this way, we think of hybrid cloud as an approach, not a separate hosting option. Virtual Private Cloud Hosting Virtual private cloud hosting, such as the services offered by Cloud at Work, provides a bespoke environment dedicated solely to your organization. A virtual private cloud is essentially an isolated section of a public cloud — with an added layer of privacy and control not typically found in standard public cloud offerings. This makes it an excellent choice for hosting Sage ERP and HRMS applications, combining the ease of access associated with the cloud with the security and dedicated resources of an on-premises infrastructure. Unlike public clouds, where resources are shared among various tenants, a private cloud allows for greater customization to meet specific business requirements and regulatory compliance needs. Moreover, private cloud environments typically provide stronger performance guarantees due to dedicated resources, vital for resource-intensive applications such as Sage ERP or Sage HRMS. Why Choose a Virtual Private Cloud for Sage? The combination of dedicated support, Increased control over the IT environment, and the ability to tailor the infrastructure precisely to your business’s needs makes private cloud hosting an advantageous choice. It is proving to be the best hosting option for businesses that rely on Sage ERP and Sage HRMS. The advantages include: Dedicated Resources In a virtual private cloud, your Sage applications run on dedicated resources, ensuring that your operations are not affected by the “noisy neighbor” effect often seen in public clouds. Customization and Control Virtual private clouds provide the flexibility to customize the environment according to the specific needs of your Sage applications, offering control akin to an on-premises setup. Enhanced Security With a virtual private cloud, you benefit from the security protocols of a private cloud—such as dedicated firewalls and advanced access controls—ensuring that your sensitive financial and operational data is securely managed. Scalability While offering a more secure environment, virtual private clouds maintain the scalability of the cloud, allowing your Sage hosting infrastructure to grow with your business. Direct Expert Support Cloud at Work provides direct access to Sage experts so that any support you need is both expert and expedient, without the delays that can occur with public cloud service layers. Your Next Step Towards Cloud Excellence Choosing the right cloud hosting environment for your Sage applications is critical to your business’s digital transformation. We can help you determine if virtual private cloud hosting is the best option for your organization. Interested in learning more about Cloud at Work’s Sage application hosting? Contact us at 800-719-3307. We’re here to help you build a cloud hosting solution that works for you.

Get paid to move clients to the cloud? That’s right! The team at Cloud at Work is thrilled to announce the rollout of our new Cloud Partner Enablement Fund (CPEF)! The fund provides financial support and incentives to Sage partners who migrate their clients’ Sage ERP and HRMS applications to the Cloud at Work hosting platform. What’s in it for you? We’re glad you asked. What is the Cloud Partner Enablement Fund? With a generous allocation of $500K the Cloud Partner Enablement Fund allows Sage partners to receive financial compensation for the time and effort spent migrating their customers’ Sage ERP and Sage HRMS applications to the Cloud at Work hosting platform. How does it work? For every customer who qualifies for this promotion, you, the partner, will receive $1K towards the billable time spent moving the customer’s Sage ERP or HRMS applications to Cloud at Work. There is no limit to the number of qualified clients. You will earn $1K for each qualified client (up to our $500K cap, of course!). How do I qualify for the promotion? We like to keep it simple, so here is the process: Join (if you haven’t already) the Cloud at Work Partner Program. Provide basic information about your customers interested in making the move. Cloud at Work will gather and propose a hosting budget that you can share with customers during the upgrade conversation. You’ll register the lead using the lead generation form. Once the migration is complete, you’ll submit an invoice to Net at Work for the $1,000 for your qualified client. Your payment will be delivered to you via ACH. You mentioned incentives? Moving your clients to Cloud at Work can generate a generous recurring revenue stream. Partners have the potential to earn Sage (ERP) Hosting tier credit of $7,500, Sage HRMS Hosting tier credit of $7,500, Sage Hosting margin in perpetuity (20%), DaaS margin in perpetuity (10%), and CPEF of$1,000 USD or $1,000 CAD (depending on the region in which the customer operates). What’s the catch? Just join the Cloud at Work Partner Incentive Program, and you’re able to qualify for any or all of the incentives. Grab your share! We invite Sage VARs to seize this opportunity to elevate their business, drive new revenue streams, and deliver exceptional value to their clients. Together, let’s unlock new growth opportunities and pave the way for a future clients can thrive in the cloud. Join us in this exciting journey and take the first step towards a more profitable and sustainable business model. Discover how to become a Cloud at Work partner and tap into the Cloud Partner Enablement Fund today. Visit here to get complete program details and sign up.

The stakes are high when choosing a virtual private cloud hosting provider for your business-critical applications like Sage ERP, Sage HRMS, and other line-of-business tools. The right cloud hosting provider can skyrocket your business efficiency, while the wrong one can bottleneck your growth. Here are 12 key factors to consider that will help guide your decision. 1. Specialized Expertise and Compatibility Consider choosing a provider with proven, specialized expertise in hosting the specific applications your business relies on. Cloud at Work, for instance, specializes in hosting Sage ERP, ensuring that the nuances of these complex systems are well understood and managed. Additionally, you should confirm the provider’s ability to host other vital applications, such as Microsoft 365 or Azure Virtual Desktop, to ensure seamless operations. 2. Security and Compliance Security is non-negotiable. Ensure any provider you consider adheres to the highest security standards and complies with industry regulations. Ask potential providers about their security measures. For example, do they offer end-to-end encryption, regular security audits, and compliance with GDPR, HIPAA, or SOC 2 standards? 3. Performance and Reliability Your business functions 24/7, and so should your cloud hosting. Evaluate the provider’s uptime record, disaster recovery options, and the performance metrics they guarantee. Some providers promise a 99.99% uptime service level agreement (SLA), ensuring that your applications always run at peak performance with minimal downtime. Cloud at Work offers this, and our SLA is financially backed. 4. Scalability and Flexibility As your business grows, your cloud requirements will change. It’s crucial to select a provider that offers scalable solutions. Cloud at Work provides flexible plans that allow you to scale up or down based on your current needs, ensuring that you only pay for what you use while accommodating future growth. 5. Customer Support and Service Level Agreements (SLAs) Customer support can make or break your cloud hosting experience. Providers should not only offer comprehensive SLAs but also accessible, knowledgeable, and responsive support teams. Cloud at Work distinguishes itself with dedicated support for Sage ERP and other line-of-business applications, ensuring expert assistance is always available. 6. Data Sovereignty and Location Understanding where your data is stored is critical due to varying international data protection laws. It’s essential to ensure that the hosting provider’s data center locations comply with your organization’s or industry’s data sovereignty requirements. For example, Cloud at Work has data centers in both the US and Canada to help ensure your adherence to specific regional compliance and data residency laws. 7. Customization and Control Your business is unique, and your cloud needs may also be unique. A provider offering customizable solutions to your specific requirements can be a game-changer. This includes control over the virtual environment, software configurations and updates, and networking options. 8. Backup and Data Retention Policies Regular backups and clear data retention policies are paramount to prevent data loss. Investigate the frequency of backups, retention duration, and ease of data recovery. Providers should offer robust backup solutions that align with your business continuity planning. 9. Technology and Infrastructure Modernity The provider should utilize the latest technology and infrastructure to ensure optimal performance and future-proof services. This includes modern hardware, high-speed networking, and the latest virtualization platforms. 10. Cost Transparency and Pricing Structure Look for clear and straightforward pricing without hidden fees. Providers should offer a pricing structure that is easy to understand and predict, which will help in budgeting and cost management over time. 11. Integration Capabilities Your cloud provider should be able to integrate smoothly with your existing IT environment and other cloud services. This can include APIs, third-party software compatibility (such as ISVs), and support for hybrid cloud architectures. Cloud at Work’s virtual private cloud is designed to have no limitations with regard to the Sage ISVs and other third-party add-ons that our clients leverage. 12. Reputation and Track Record Research the provider’s history and reputation within the industry. Long-term customer reviews, case studies, and testimonials can provide insight into the provider’s track record of reliability and customer satisfaction. Choosing the right private cloud hosting provider is critical for your business. By considering these factors, you can find a provider that aligns with your business objectives, ensuring your cloud infrastructure is a catalyst for growth. We invite you to contact the Cloud at Work Sage ERP and Sage HRMS hosting specialists with your questions and to learn about current incentives.

The Sage HRMS Strategic Hosting Provider Program gives partners and customers access to the tools, support, and flexibility to successfully migrate on-premises Sage HRMS to the cloud.  NEW YORK, NY – January 23, 2024 – Cloud at Work, a purpose-built  Sage hosting solution and a Sage Strategic Hosting Partner, today announced that it has been selected as the first Sage partner to offer its partners and clients access to Sage’s Strategic Hosting Provider Pilot Program for Sage HRMS. The program enables non-hosted HRMS subscription customers to seamlessly move to a subscription-based, hosted environment, while receiving the best customer experience from the Cloud at Work team. The initiative allows Cloud at Work’s partners to provide their clients with a flexible, easily administered hosted solution that improves client satisfaction and facilitates their  long-term success.  Cloud at Work has previously received accreditation as a Sage Strategic Hosting Provider for Sage 100, 300 and X3 for its proven ability to smoothly fast-track customers to the cloud. This pilot program leverages Cloud at Work’s deep understanding of the Sage family of applications and extensive experience hosting Sage solutions in their Virtual Private Cloud or within Azure to give their customers the increased performance, efficiencies, and financial benefits of a cloud-hosted HRMS solution, while enjoying a familiar user experience.   “Today’s announcement is recognition of Cloud at Work’s reputation for providing our Sage partners and clients across the U.S. with a world-class cloud experience, which now extends to HRMS customers looking for a similarly smooth, painless experience,” said Tyler Bower, Practice Director at Cloud at Work. “The program further underscores our commitment to giving our partners, their clients, as well as ours, hosted solutions that unleash the power of their business.”   Cloud at Work offers the most secure, scalable technology and best user experience via the most experienced Sage team in North America and works seamlessly with Sage Business Partners to fast-track best-in-class cloud solutions that fit specific needs and improve business processes. Cloud at Work takes all the work out of creating and maintaining the infrastructure, backing up critical Sage solutions, upgrades and updates of patches, and ongoing monitoring to ensure security, reliability, and redundancy.  “We selected Cloud at Work to be our first go-to-market partner because of their track record in providing our customers with reliable, secure, high-performance cloud hosting,” said Jeff Parow, Sales Director at Sage. “We look forward to working with the Cloud at Work team in helping Sage HRMS customers move to the cloud and giving them the ability to thrive in today’s challenging, fast-changing business environment.”  For a limited time, partners and customer incentives are being offered by Sage and Cloud at Work. For more information, please contact us. About Cloud at Work Cloud at Work gives users of Sage applications more capabilities and control to increase business performance using their technology investments. With a knowledgeable, highly responsive team of Sage application experts and advanced cloud hosting solutions personalized to customer strengths, Cloud at Work helps its customers pivot more quickly to capitalize on new business opportunities and resolve issues faster. From hosting Sage solutions to leveraging managed virtual desktops, businesses trust Cloud at Work to help them achieve higher levels of business productivity and resiliency that outpace competitors and help them capture more market share. Visit thecloudatwork.com for more information.

In business, agility and adaptability are essential to success. Companies must embrace solutions that enhance their operational efficiencies and ensure their long-term success — in other words, they must future-proof the business. Moving to a cloud-based business model adds the agility and adaptability necessary for that future. However, the move can seem overly onerous and impractical for businesses relying on a legacy on-premises Sage ERP application. You may simply have too much invested in your existing ERP application to consider swapping it for a newer, next-generation, cloud-based ERP. For these businesses, though, there’s a solution. A way to capture the benefits of a cloud-based application while leveraging your current ERP. Cloud at Work, a specialized private cloud hosting provider, offers a seamless pathway for companies to bring their Sage ERP applications forward, leveraging their investments for longer-term advantage. Why should future-proofing be part of your present planning? And how does private cloud ERP hosting help future-proof your business? Digital Transformation Is Part of Future Proofing Future-proofing is about preparing for and mitigating future risks, and digital transformation is one of the key strategies employed in this process. At Cloud at Work, we believe that digital transformation isn’t a finite process. Instead, it embodies continual evolution — an evolution that is essential for business success. And in the 21st century, that evolution relies on digital tools. Modern businesses must continually adopt technology tools that help future-proof their operations, remaining agile, efficient, and scalable. In short, if your business isn’t moving forward, it will be left behind. A 2022 survey by Sage found that 87% of businesses were already using a cloud-based or hybrid solution. If you’re not part of that statistic, you may already be falling behind. Future-Proofing Your On-Premises Sage ERP It’s understandable why you haven’t taken the leap into the cloud. Your on-premises Sage ERP represents a significant investment. Over the years, you’ve invested heavily in building enhancements, custom reports, and integrations. And the software works — it fits your business. The thought of tossing out the investment and starting from scratch just doesn’t make sense now. Leveraging the legacy system for as long as possible just seems like the right idea. On the other hand, the ongoing infrastructure maintenance and replacement costs are high. Downtime is frequent and disruptive. Security and compliance may be concerns. Plus, IT personnel are hard (and expensive) to find. Cloud at Work’s private cloud hosting model was built to address this very conundrum. With Cloud at Work private cloud hosting for your Sage ERP, you can enjoy nearly all the benefits of the cloud while continuing to maximize the ROI of your existing software. By migrating your Sage ERP applications to a private cloud environment, your business reduces the immediate costs and risks associated with on-premises infrastructure and sets the stage for a smoother transition to modern, cloud-based ERP solutions when you’re ready. Cloud at Work also offers hosting and infrastructure management within Azure. How a Hosted Cloud ERP Model Helps Future-Proof Your Business Scalability Cloud platforms offer unparalleled scalability. As a business grows or experiences fluctuating demands, cloud services can be scaled up or down accordingly. This flexibility ensures that a business can adapt to market changes or growth without significant upfront investment in physical infrastructure. Cost Efficiency and Reduced Downtime Moving to the cloud significantly cuts down on the expenses related to physical hardware and on-site IT infrastructure. This transition also minimizes the risks of system downtime, which can be costly in terms of both direct expenses and lost opportunities. Enhanced Collaboration and Accessibility Cloud services facilitate better collaboration and accessibility. Data and applications can be accessed from anywhere, at any time, which is essential in today’s increasingly remote and globalized work environment. This enhances productivity and allows businesses to adapt to new ways of working. Enhanced Security and Compliance With Cloud at Work, your data is protected with state-of-the-art security protocols, ensuring compliance with the latest data protection regulations and giving you peace of mind. Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity Cloud-based models improve disaster recovery and business continuity planning. Data backup and recovery are typically faster and more reliable in the cloud, ensuring that a business can quickly resume operations after an unexpected event. Innovation and Competitive Advantage The cloud offers access to the latest technologies, including artificial intelligence, machine learning, and advanced analytics. These tools can drive innovation, improve decision-making, and provide a competitive edge in the market. Agility and Speed Deploying and updating applications in the cloud can be much faster than on traditional infrastructure. This agility allows businesses to respond more rapidly to market changes, customer needs, and new opportunities. Focus on Core Business By leveraging cloud services, your company can focus more on its core business activities than on managing IT infrastructure. This shift can increase efficiency and effectiveness in the business’s primary operations. Future-Ready Infrastructure By moving to the cloud, you’re not just solving today’s challenges but laying the groundwork for future technological advancements. A cloud environment is inherently more adaptable to new technologies and integrations, allowing your company to take advantage of innovations in the future. A Steppingstone to the Next Generation Migrating to a private cloud hosting model can be a strategic interim step towards adopting a fully cloud-based, next-generation ERP system. The transition buys your company time to plan and move to a more modern ERP solution without disrupting current operations. Embrace the Future In a business environment where adaptability and technological agility are critical drivers of success, sticking with an on-premises legacy ERP system is a risk that companies can no longer afford. Migrating to a private cloud hosting solution with Cloud at Work addresses the immediate challenges of cost, security, accessibility, and scalability and also strategically positions your business for a later move to a modern, fully cloud-based ERP system. Virtual private cloud hosting is a solid step into a successful future. Speak to one of our cloud hosting experts to learn more.

The shift from traditional on-premises ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) systems to cloud-based solutions continues to gain momentum. While the benefits of cloud ERP include scalability, cost-efficiency, and enhanced collaboration, some businesses remain hesitant. Do you have concerns about moving your Sage ERP to a private cloud hosting model? Here, we explore six common concerns about migrating ERP systems to a private cloud hosting service and provide insights into how each can be effectively addressed. Concern 1: “Our data is too sensitive to be stored off-site.” Resolution: Private cloud hosting services like Cloud at Work understand the foundational importance of data security. We’ve built the platform with strict security protocols that exceed on-premises solutions — and exceed the standards of many other cloud providers. These include advanced encryption, regular security audits, and compliance with industry standards like GDPR, HIPAA, SOC 2, and ISO 27001. Each of our data centers is categorized as Tier 4, the highest designation, and built to be completely fault tolerant. Concern 2: “We can’t afford any downtime during the transition or after.” Resolution: A common business misconception is that cloud systems are less reliable. In reality, most private cloud services guarantee 99.9% or higher uptime percentages. Most also provide robust disaster recovery and data backup solutions, ensuring that your Sage ERP system remains operational even in the event of an unexpected outage. Cloud at Work leverages geo-diverse data centers to further guard against downtime. During the transition to private cloud hosting, asynchronous or synchronous replication keeps the cloud instance in lockstep with its on-premises counterpart. This means that throughout the migration, all data or server updates are synced between the copies. Concern 3:  “The transition appears costly and doesn’t seem to offer a clear return on investment.” Resolution: While there are costs associated with the initial migration to a private cloud, the long-term ROI is significant. One of the most significant benefits is a cloud-hosting model’s inherent support to your hybrid workforce. Hosting your Sage ERP with a virtual private cloud hosting provider reduces the need for physical infrastructure, ongoing maintenance, and support staff. They typically offer a predictable subscription payment model, simplifying your organization’s financial planning and resource allocation. Concern 4: “We’re concerned about losing control over our ERP system.” Resolution: Transitioning to a cloud-hosted ERP doesn’t mean relinquishing control. Many service providers offer customizable solutions that allow businesses to configure and manage their ERP systems as needed. Remember, in a virtual private cloud hosting model, your software “instance” is yours alone. You choose when, or even if, to update the software. A reputable private cloud hosting provider will also ensure transparency in operations by providing you with regular reporting and analytics. The cloud provider should also document the schedule and process for conducting maintenance on the infrastructure. Cloud at Work works directly with your organization’s Sage ERP Partner, ensuring continuity and keeping you and your trusted ally in the driver’s seat. Concern 5: “The process of moving our ERP to the cloud is too complex.” Resolution: Cloud at Work is the only cloud hosting provider specializing in migrating Sage ERP (we are accredited by Sage as a Strategic Hosting Provider), and we’re experts at it. Our migrations include detailed planning, data migration assistance, and training for your IT staff and end-users. The complexity is significantly reduced with the right partner guiding you through the process. Because Cloud at Work specializes in hosting Sage ERP applications, we understand that many businesses rely on the functionality of Sage ISVs and third-party applications. So, we make it our business to remain in front of the ISV landscape, developing collaborative relationships with many publishers and ensuring all of your solutions transition seamlessly to the virtual private cloud. Concern 6: “With so many public and private hosting options, it seems easier to keep the status quo rather than to risk making the wrong decision.” Resolution: You indeed have options, but don’t let the fear of making the wrong choice lead you to inaction. The benefits of moving from an on-premises to a cloud deployment model are too significant to pass up. We encourage you to interview potential cloud providers to make an informed decision. Ask them if they offer both virtual private cloud and public cloud hosting. Providers that offer both options can help you objectively decide which path is best for your organization. For example, while most of our hosted Sage ERP clients elect to leverage our virtual private cloud solution, we also have clients successfully hosting their Sage ERP in Azure. With deep experience hosting Sage ERP, a provider like Cloud at Work can help you successfully identify the best solution based on your current needs and long-term goals. Proceed Confidently Moving your Sage ERP to a private cloud hosting service is a significant decision, so understandably, you have questions and concerns. However, by better understanding the migration path, your business can make an informed choice that aligns with its strategic goals. The key is to select a private cloud partner that understands your needs and has a proven track record of successful Sage ERP migrations. For more information on successfully migrating your ERP system to the cloud, contact our Sage ERP cloud migration team.

IT spending is on the rise—66% of companies say they expect their IT budgets will increase in 2024. Gartner expects double-digit growth in software and IT services spending during 2024—with some companies spending up to 18% of their revenue on IT. With a budget line that large, it makes sense to find ways to optimize your company’s IT spend—and moving to a private cloud hosting model is one smart tactic. The emergence of virtual private cloud hosting providers, like Cloud at Work, revolutionizes how companies manage their IT infrastructure. Such providers represent more than accessibility and convenience—private cloud hosting can significantly reduce an organization’s IT expenses. Let’s explore how a private cloud hosting provider like Cloud at Work can lead to substantial savings for your company—but first, just a bit about how Cloud at Work works. How Cloud at Work Works Traditionally, businesses have invested heavily in on-premise IT infrastructure. This requires significant capital expenditure on hardware, software licenses, the physical space to house these systems, and the personnel needed to maintain them. Cloud at Work disrupts this model by offering a virtual private cloud environment, where virtualized resources replace the need for physical servers and storage. This transition alone can result in massive savings, eliminating the hefty upfront costs of purchasing and upgrading equipment. Unlike other private cloud hosting services, Cloud at Work specializes in hosting Sage ERP applications along with access to a suite of services, including Microsoft 365, Hybrid hosting, Disaster Recovery as a Service, Virtual Desktops.  It all combines to help you simplify, streamline, and secure your IT resources while minimizing traditional IT-related expenditures. Here’s how virtual private cloud hosting can help your organization reduce its IT infrastructure costs: Eliminate the Cost of Servers and Storage The average cost of a mid-range server can be around $7,500, while high-end servers can exceed $20,000 depending on the specifications and software requirements. When you choose Cloud at Work, you no longer need to invest in physical servers and storage devices. Instead, you tap into a virtualized environment that offers the same capabilities without the associated capital expenditure. This shift from a capital expenditure (CAPEX) model to an operational expenditure (OPEX) model means your business pays for only what it uses, transforming significant upfront costs into manageable monthly expenses. Reduce Maintenance Costs The ongoing maintenance costs for legacy servers can be as much as 18-22% of the original hardware cost per year, and that doesn’t include the cost of the initial setup and installation. Maintenance costs plummet as the responsibility for hardware upkeep shifts to Cloud at Work. With a team of experts dedicated to ensuring the high performance and availability of the hosted infrastructure, you can reallocate your internal resources to focus on strategic initiatives rather than day-to-day maintenance. Streamline ERP and Software Management For organizations relying on Sage ERP applications, keeping the software up to date can be time-consuming and disruptive when the software is housed on your on-premises server. Cloud at Work specializes in hosting Sage ERP applications, providing an environment where updates and upgrades are handled seamlessly by our experts. It reduces the internal labor costs associated with these activities and mitigates the risk of downtime due to update errors or incompatibilities. Reduce IT Labor Costs The average salary of an IT systems administrator is over $80,000. Plus, they’re hard to find and expensive to keep. Consider your business costs related to the salaries you pay your system administrator and any other IT staff member who maintains your hardware or fixes software bugs. Add any contract consultants and additional staff time to implement new systems, support hardware and networking, and upgrade software. Private cloud hosting through Cloud at Work minimizes or eliminates your organization’s need to hire and retain skilled IT professionals. This can potentially save you tens of thousands each year. Enhance Business Continuity and Reduce Recovery Costs Downtime is expensive. For 91% of mid-sized and large enterprises, a single hour of downtime can cost over $300,000. An on-premise IT disaster can lead to lost revenue, data, and customer trust. Cloud at Work offers robust business continuity solutions with regular backups and disaster recovery plans in place. Should an issue arise, the recovery process in a cloud-hosted environment is significantly faster and more cost-effective than traditional methods, minimizing the financial impact on your business. Capitalize on Scalability and Flexibility A recent report from Statista found that companies can save 15-30% on their IT costs over 18 months by using cloud infrastructure—due to the platform’s ability to scale resources on demand. By using a cloud provider like Cloud at Work, you can align your spending with business growth more effectively, only paying for the computing resources you actually use. Private cloud hosting offers a level of scalability that is challenging to achieve with an on-premise setup. As your business grows, Cloud at Work’s infrastructure can easily accommodate increased demands without the need for physical hardware changes. The scalability ensures that you only pay for additional resources when needed. Optimize Workforce Efficiency with Virtual Desktop Infrastructure Employee workstations, with corporate programs and data held locally, pose an enormous security risk to your organization. Virtual desktop solutions, like Cloud at Work’s purpose-built workspaces, mitigate risk by centralizing data and programs in a controlled environment. The desktops run on virtual machines located on servers in a data center (such as Cloud at Work’s) instead of the actual desktop/laptop hardware. A “virtual image” of the user’s desktop is sent over the network to the remote user, allowing them to access the desktop image as if it were rendered locally. It allows employees to access their work environments anywhere, on any device, promoting a more flexible and productive workforce. It also means your business can reduce expenditures on office space and workstations while still providing employees with the tools they need to succeed. A Smart Move for Modern Businesses in 2024 Leveraging the services of a virtual private cloud hosting provider like Cloud at Work offers many cost-saving opportunities for businesses. From minimizing capital expenditure on hardware to reducing operational, maintenance, and personnel costs, the financial benefits are clear. By simplifying software updates, enhancing business continuity, and offering scalable resources, Cloud at Work positions companies to thrive in a competitive market while maintaining a leaner, more cost-effective 2024 IT budget. Learn more about private cloud hosting by speaking to one of our experts.