Cloud Insights

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.

If the pandemic, increasing cyber-attacks, and snowballing natural disasters have taught us anything, it’s that ensuring operational resilience is more crucial than ever. Companies that invest in comprehensive business continuity planning position themselves to navigate disruptions without compromising their operations, reputation, or financial stability. Organizations rely on many applications to keep their operations running smoothly. Among the most critical applications is an organization’s Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, which manages everything from inventory and order processing to financials and human resources. One of the single best ways organizations can enhance business continuity and navigate risk surrounding their ERP application is to move to a private cloud hosting model. Let’s talk about business continuity, why it matters, and how private cloud ERP hosting might fit into your organization’s continuity plan. What Business Continuity Planning Is and Why It Matters Simply put, business continuity planning is a strategic process that prepares an organization for disruptions that can affect its normal operations. These disruptions can range from natural disasters like hurricanes and floods to incidents like cyber-attacks, power outages, or even supply chain failures. The primary goal of business continuity planning is to ensure that essential functions can continue during and after a disaster, thereby minimizing the impacts on the business. In addition to the inconvenience, downtime is extremely costly. The average cost of downtime per minute for small businesses is $427 and $9,000 for larger enterprises. From an hourly perspective, a single hour of downtime costs small businesses roughly $25,620 and over half a million ($540,000) for enterprises. How Private Cloud Hosting Fits Into the Plan Moving your organization’s critical business applications, such as its ERP, to the cloud mitigates many of the dangers facing your operation. In addition, private cloud hosting offers numerous benefits that promote productivity and optimize your technology spending. Flexibility and Scalability One of the most notable advantages of cloud hosting is its inherent scalability. Whether you’re facing a sudden influx of web traffic or need to scale down operations, cloud resources can be quickly adjusted to meet your current needs. This flexibility is crucial in ensuring your business can adapt to unforeseen situations, adding vital resiliency to your operations. Redundancy and Reliability Modern cloud hosting service providers design their platforms with redundancy in mind. They often store your data across multiple geographic locations and distribute computational resources across various servers. This design ensures that even if one component or site fails, another will take its place, minimizing downtime and service interruptions. Automated Backups and Disaster Recovery Cloud hosting providers often offer automated backup services and robust disaster recovery solutions. In the event of data loss due to a cyber attack, human error, or any other disruption, these features allow businesses to restore data and resume operations quickly. Remote Accessibility With your ERP and other business applications hosted in the cloud, remote access becomes exponentially easier. Whether due to a natural disaster that makes your primary location inaccessible or a pandemic that necessitates remote work, your team can continue to operate as long as they have internet access. This accessibility ensures that your business can maintain operational continuity, which is difficult to achieve with on-premises ERP solutions. Cost-Effectiveness Business continuity planning often involves preparing for scenarios requiring rapid resource scaling. In traditional, on-premises setups, this would mean investing in hardware and software that may sit idle during periods of normal operation. Cloud hosting eliminates this issue by offering a pay-as-you-go model, allowing businesses to only pay for the resources they use. This cost-effective approach ensures that resources can be quickly allocated when needed. Security and Compliance Security is a paramount concern in any business continuity plan. Reputable cloud hosting providers invest heavily in security measures such as encryption, firewalls, and multi-factor authentication to protect your data. Additionally, many cloud services are designed to meet compliance standards like SOC 2, GDPR, HIPAA, and ISO 27001, adding an extra layer of assurance. Vendor Support and Expertise Cloud hosting service providers specialize in maintaining uptime, security, and system performance. Their expertise frees up internal resources to focus on other aspects of business continuity. If an issue does arise, 24/7 support and professional service-level agreements (SLAs) help ensure that any disruption is addressed as swiftly as possible. The Cloud at Work Advantage Cloud at Work is a virtual private cloud hosting provider specializing in hosting Sage ERP and extended Sage applications (Sage 100, Sage 300, Sage 500, Sage X3, Sage HRMS, and Sage Fixed Assets) in our secure, high-performance, private cloud infrastructure. We’ve designed our solution to optimize your application performance, secure your data, and, most importantly, ensure business continuity. Part of what sets Cloud at Work apart is our partnership with Microsoft Azure, which allows us to deliver unparalleled service reliability and scalability. Why Microsoft Azure? As part of our commitment to delivering superior service, we built Cloud at Work’s private cloud infrastructure on Microsoft Azure. The Azure platform offers significant and unique advantages that amplify the Cloud at Work value proposition: Seamless Resilience and Scalability Azure’s global network of data centers provides unparalleled fault tolerance and geographic redundancy. This means your ERP system remains online and accessible, even if one data center experiences issues, ensuring the business continuity you need. Built In Security and Compliance Azure meets a broad set of international and industry-specific compliance standards, including GDPR, ISO 27001, and HIPAA. This adds an extra layer of credibility and security to your data. Access to Advanced Technologies Azure’s range of innovative services, such as AI and machine learning capabilities, offers a path for future expansion and competitive advantage. The infrastructure can quickly adapt to your increasingly sophisticated needs as you grow. For example, many of our ERP hosting clients also elect to have us host Microsoft 365 and their Exchange servers on the platform. The integration of Microsoft Azure into the Cloud at Work service offering amplifies our ability to promote business continuity. It’s part of our commitment to ensuring that your business remains operational and that your data is safe, no matter what challenges come your way. The Business Continuity Factor When choosing a hosting service for your ERP applications, look for a solution that aligns with your short and long-term business goals. It’s a dangerous world out there. Cloud at Work offers a robust, secure, and scalable private cloud hosting service built to meet your business continuity goals. Our partnership with Microsoft Azure provides a fortified environment that puts business continuity at the forefront. Contact our cloud hosting experts to learn more.

Many organizations continue to leverage legacy on-premises ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) systems. If yours is one of them, please read on. These ERP applications, including Sage 100, Sage 300, and Sage 500, still serve your company well on many fronts — offering familiarity, reliability, and a customized suite of features. But in an era where remote work and collaboration are paramount, these legacy systems can fall short, jeopardizing your ability to grow profitably. How do you balance the benefits of your trusted Sage ERP system with the increased demands of a modern, hybrid workforce? The solution is simpler than you may think. Transition your Sage ERP to a virtual private cloud hosting provider, like Cloud at Work. Hosting your Sage ERP on a private cloud not only modernizes the system in terms of accessibility and scalability but also fosters an environment where real-time, integrated collaboration becomes an integral part of the workflow. Here’s how private cloud hosting can boost collaboration and power remote access for your organization: Streamlined Access One of the most immediate and apparent benefits of hosting Sage ERP on a private cloud is the ability for team members to access it from anywhere, whether from different office locations, at home, or even while traveling. This seamless access ensures everyone can collaborate in real time, regardless of location. Sure, there are remote access options (VPNs for example) that will allow off-site employees to log into your Sage ERP. Still, they are undeniably slow, require IT resources to maintain, and worse, VPNs present a security risk you don’t need to accept. Enhanced Security for Collaborative Work Private cloud ERPs offer robust security features like encrypted data transmission, secure access controls, and multi-factor authentication. This ensures that your team members can collaborate without compromising the security of sensitive business data. For example, Cloud at Work’s Tier 4 data centers offer a 99.99% uptime guarantee, SOC 2 Certification, 24x7x365 support and monitoring, and real-time replication across geo-diverse locations (including a Canadian data center.) In addition, hosting your company’s Sage ERP and other business productivity tools in the cloud minimizes, or even eliminates, the demand for VPN resources. Advanced, cloud-based endpoint protection tools, along with multi-factor authentication, provide increased security to remote connections. Integrated Communication Tools Modern private cloud environments often come with integrated communication tools or can easily integrate with third-party collaboration tools. These tools allow team members to communicate instantly within the context of the data they are viewing, facilitating quicker resolutions and discussions. Scalability for Collaboration As your business grows and onboards more team members, a private cloud can quickly scale to accommodate more users. This ensures that team collaboration remains smooth even as your number of concurrent users increases. Reduce IT Roadblocks Traditional on-premises Sage ERP systems might require IT intervention for things like setting up access for new users, resolving system glitches, or installing updates. With a private cloud ERP, much of this is streamlined or automated, allowing teams to collaborate without frequent IT-related interruptions — or even without an IT department! Add Additional Cloud Services Hosting your Sage ERP on a private cloud is often a company’s first step into the cloud. This step opens the door to hosting other business and productivity applications, including Microsoft 365, Exchange, and Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop, further enhancing collaborative capabilities. Why Compromise When You Don’t Have To? Your Sage ERP system has plenty of useful life left, so it’s understandable to want to maximize that investment. But in the face of rapid technological evolution, sticking to the status quo can stifle your growth. By considering private cloud hosting for your Sage ERP, you can get the best of both worlds—retaining the familiar functionalities of your legacy system while ensuring that your organization remains agile, collaborative, and ready for the future. Cloud at Work specializes in transitioning Sage ERP (Sage 100, Sage 300, Sage 500, and Sage X3) to our secure and efficient virtual private cloud. Let us help you bridge the gap between on-premises and the cloud, ensuring your business is always ready to take the lead.

In business, the path to success is often paved with calculated risks, bold decisions, and the willingness to embrace the unknown. But as every seasoned business owner knows, not all risks are equal. While some risks propel growth, others can hinder progress, particularly those associated with sticking to the status quo. Every small to mid-sized business grappling with an on-premises ERP system should ask: How much risk are you willing to take, and more importantly, do you fully understand the consequences? Is clinging to the status quo of your Sage system a gamble you’re willing to make? And ultimately: What is your acceptable level of risk?  The Hidden Risks of On-Premises Sage ERP As technology evolves, so too should your measure of acceptable risk. On-premises Sage accounting/ERP systems once stood as the pinnacle of security and control. However, as technology has evolved, so have the risks associated with maintaining these systems. Here’s how the perceived safety of on-premises ERP can deceive you:  Security Vulnerabilities Older systems often lack the agility to adapt to emerging cyber threats. Patching and updating become increasingly complex, leaving your business exposed to potential breaches. Compliance Challenges Modern compliance mandates like SOC and MFA require technological changes, continuous updates, and ongoing monitoring. It is becoming increasingly difficult (and costly) for on-premises ERP systems to adapt.  Cost Burden Maintaining, securing, and updating an on-premises system can be financially draining, diverting resources from innovation and growth.  Understanding Acceptable Risk  In the context of your Sage ERP, we’re using the term acceptable risk to refer to the level of risk you are willing to tolerate by not migrating to a more secure and flexible private cloud hosting model. This requires your organization to perform a careful examination of:  Potential Threats Are you aware of the security threats that your current system is exposed to? Are you adequately investing in the technology tools and expertise required to protect you from those threats? Are you comfortable with the risks associated with your system’s vulnerabilities?  Compliance Readiness Can your existing system adapt to new compliance mandates like SOC, SOX, MFA, HIPAA, and CCPA without significant time and financial investments?  Business Impact How would a security breach or compliance violation affect your business reputation, operations, and bottom line?  Mitigating the Risks With the Private Cloud Hosting Model  Moving to a private cloud hosting model is an effective way for businesses to mitigate the risks associated with Sage ERP while continuing to leverage the legacy and ongoing investments they’re making in those applications.   Transitioning to private cloud hosting uses a “lift and shift” approach. Lift and shift is a strategy used in information technology, particularly in cloud migration. It refers to moving an application or operation from one environment to another without modifying its design, architecture, or functions.  Here’s a high-level look at what the lift and shift process entails:  Lift: This part of the process involves taking the existing applications, data, and operations from the current environment, whether it’s an on-premises data center or even another cloud provider. This is done without changing the code, structure, or architecture.  Shift: This involves relocating the lifted applications, data, and operations to a new environment, such as a private (or public) cloud. Again, this is done without modifying or optimizing the applications for the new environment.  The lift and shift approach can be an attractive option for organizations looking to quickly move to the cloud or another environment, as it typically requires less time, effort, and cost than replacing the applications. Businesses often use it as a first step in a larger cloud migration strategy. Moving your Sage ERP and other critical business applications from an on-premises server to a private cloud hosting provides is not about abandoning the familiar — it’s about embracing a future that offers:  Enhanced Security Private cloud providers specialize in combating the latest cyber threats, ensuring your data remains secure.  Compliance Agility Cloud-based ERP enables you to adapt quickly to new regulatory requirements, minimizing the risk of non-compliance.  Scalability and Flexibility Private cloud hosting accelerates your ability to incorporate additional applications and productivity tools that help your business scale and adapt, ensuring your technology never holds you back.  How Much Risk Are You Willing to Accept? Remaining with an on-premises ERP system presents some clear —and some hidden — risks and limitations. It’s a decision that requires you to honestly evaluate how much risk is acceptable for your business.  Are you willing to accept the security vulnerabilities? The compliance challenges? The potential cost burden? The time to ask these questions is now. Transitioning to a private cloud hosting model is a strategic and surprisingly simple move that aligns with modern business demands, offering enhanced security, compliance, and flexibility.  Don’t let acceptable risk turn into unacceptable consequences. Explore the opportunities private cloud hosting offers and position your business for a future defined not by limitations but by possibilities. Virtual private cloud hosting of your Sage ERP application can mitigate many risks, allowing you to continue growing and scaling your business while maximizing your software investment. Learn more about Sage Cloud Hosting by contacting a member of our cloud services team. 

The hybrid workplace is here to stay. A recent McKinsey survey found that 86% of organizations expect remote work to increase (53%) or remain unchanged (33%). For companies large and small, this evolution requires investments in technologies that facilitate seamless collaboration, productivity, and security—which is where virtual desktops come into play. While the terms virtual desktop and virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) are familiar, it’s helpful to consider them again in the context of the rise of the hybrid workforce. What is VDI, and how can Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop help your organization enable, secure, and optimize its hybrid work model? TMI on VDI Virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) software allows you to configure and manage virtual desktops hosted on-premises—or in the cloud. 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. Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop is perhaps the most commonly used VDI. Here’s a simple way to think about VDI. Think about your computer or laptop at your home or work. It has your operating system (like Windows), files, and applications (like Word, Excel, etc.) stored in it, right? Now, imagine if, instead of being tied to just one physical device, you could access your entire computer – with all its files and applications – from anywhere, on any device. That’s essentially what Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop does. Azure Virtual Desktop creates a version of your computer that lives in Microsoft’s secure cloud instead of on a physical device. You can access it through the internet on any device, including a laptop, tablet, or smartphone. This means, for example, you could start a report on your computer at work, continue working on it from your home computer, and even make final edits from your tablet while on the move. Your work is always there, updated, and saved, regardless of your device. Essentially, when you’re using VDI, your devices function as a keyboard and screen—the cloud is doing the heavy lifting. Furthermore, because the virtual desktop is hosted in the cloud, it is protected by robust security measures. The organization’s data remains safe even if your laptop or phone is lost or stolen. It Matters Where Your Data Lives Employee workstations, with corporate programs and data held locally, pose an enormous security risk to your organization. VDI mitigates those risks in several ways by centralizing data and programs in a controlled environment. Data Security With VDI, data is stored centrally in secure data centers instead of being held locally on individual workstations. This reduces the risk of data breaches since sensitive information is not directly accessible from the endpoint devices. Even if a device is lost, stolen, or compromised, the data remains secure since it is not stored on the physical device. Enhanced Access Controls VDI allows for centralized access control and user authentication. Your IT administrators can define strict access policies, implement multi-factor authentication, and enforce granular permissions to ensure only authorized users can access the virtual desktop environment. This helps mitigate the risk of unauthorized access to sensitive data. Reduced Malware Exposure Since the virtual desktops are hosted in a centralized environment, your employees interact with the desktop through remote protocols or thin clients. This reduces the risk of malware infections on individual workstations. Even if a user accidentally encounters malware while browsing the internet or opening suspicious files, the impact is limited to the virtual desktop session, and the underlying infrastructure remains protected. Centralized Management and Control VDI enables centralized management and control of the virtual desktop infrastructure. IT administrators (or your cloud services provider) can easily enforce security policies, apply software updates, and simultaneously deploy security patches across all virtual desktops. This ensures consistency and reduces the chances of security vulnerabilities caused by inconsistent configurations. Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity Azure Virtual Desktop provides built-in backup and disaster recovery mechanisms. Your MSP or cloud services provider performs regular backups of the virtual desktops and associated data, ensuring that your critical information is protected and can be restored in the event of hardware failure, natural disasters, or other unforeseen circumstances. Minimized Insider Threats Not all threats are external. VDI helps mitigate insider threats by providing enhanced monitoring and auditing capabilities. You can track user activity, monitor access to sensitive data, and enforce data loss prevention (DLP) measures. In the event of suspicious or unauthorized behavior, administrators can quickly revoke access or take appropriate action to prevent data breaches or misuse. In short, VDI provides a more secure environment for your organization’s data and programs by centralizing them, enabling stricter access controls, reducing exposure to malware, and facilitating centralized management and monitoring. These factors combine to improve security, data protection, and risk mitigation. The hybrid work model is gaining steam, and technologies like Microsoft Virtual Desktop accelerate this transformation by enabling flexibility, facilitating collaboration, and boosting security. As your business adapts to the changing work models, the role of such technology becomes even more critical. Learn more about Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop solutions by contacting a member of our cloud services team.

A new paradigm is emerging as forward-thinking businesses consider private cloud hosting a more effective option. Your Sage ERP application plays an essential role in managing core business processes. Still, as technology advances and your business needs evolve, the traditional on-premises deployment creates roadblocks in meeting the demands of your modern organization. For example, remote access barriers, costly server maintenance, and limited scalability are common challenges with on-premises applications. It may feel like you have two options—keep doing what you’re doing or migrate to a cloud-based next generation ERP application—and neither option feels right. A third option is available—one that combines the best of both. It’s Sage virtual private cloud hosting—an innovative approach that ushers in a new era for Sage ERP customers. This approach offers the perfect blend of security, scalability, and flexibility, making it an ideal option for modernizing your organization’s ERP infrastructure while continuing to leverage the value proposition you’ve spent years building. Think of it as the cloud on your terms. What are the distinct advantages of private cloud hosting for Sage ERP users? What will your ERP future look like? How confident are you in your plans for business continuity, cybersecurity protections, and compliance mandates? How do you make the move to a private cloud? We’ll address and answer these questions and more in an upcoming series of articles highlighting Sage in the Cloud. But before we get there, let’s start at the beginning—what is private cloud hosting, what makes it different from public cloud hosting, and what makes it the best option for Sage ERP users? What is private cloud hosting? Private cloud hosting refers to a cloud computing model where dedicated cloud infrastructure is used exclusively by a single organization. In a private cloud environment, the infrastructure, including servers, storage, and networking resources, is designed and managed specifically for your organization’s use. While individual companies can establish and host their own private clouds, small to medium-sized enterprises typically partner with a virtual private cloud service provider to provide the necessary physical and virtual infrastructure. Some private cloud hosts specialize in specific sectors. Cloud at Work, for example, specializes in hosting Sage ERP and companion applications. Many also offer additional, value-added services, such as hosting Microsoft Exchange. How’s it different from public cloud hosting? Virtual private cloud hosting differs from public cloud hosting in several key ways. A virtual private cloud is a cloud environment located within a public cloud. In a private cloud, services and infrastructure are hosted off-site, just like in public cloud hosting. However, with private cloud providers, users receive their own private section within the public cloud that is isolated from other users and managed by the provider. Some private cloud providers specialize in specific industries or niche markets. Cloud at Work, for example, specializes in hosting Sage ERP and complementary applications. The private cloud environment allows for a higher level of security and privacy compared to a public cloud because you are not sharing resources with other users. Also, you get a certain level of control over your network settings, similar to operating your own private data center, but without the hassle of maintaining the infrastructure. On the other hand, public cloud hosting is a service where a provider (think AWS and Google Cloud) makes resources, such as applications, storage, and virtual machines, available to the general public over the internet. These resources are shared among multiple users (also known as multi-tenancy), and you have less control over your data and how it’s stored and secured. In addition, small and medium-sized businesses like yours do not deal directly with a public cloud host. Instead, you’ll work through several layers, including a managed services provider, none of which understands your Sage application. Why should I consider private cloud hosting for Sage ERP? You can unlock many benefits by shifting your Sage ERP system to a private cloud environment, including: Scalability and flexibility: On-premises ERP systems are notorious for their limited scalability, making it challenging for businesses to accommodate growth or sudden surges in demand. Private cloud hosting enables organizations to scale their ERP infrastructure (up and down) effortlessly, ensuring you can adapt to changing business needs without disrupting operations. Enhanced security and data protection: On-premises ERP systems require you to invest heavily in robust security measures and regularly update them to counter evolving cyber threats. By leveraging private cloud hosting, you gain access to dedicated security professionals, cutting-edge encryption protocols, and proactive monitoring, ensuring your critical data remains safe and protected. Improved accessibility and collaboration: With an on-premises ERP system, accessibility to remote employees or business locations is challenging. With private cloud hosting, employees can access your Sage ERP applications and data from anywhere, using a range of devices. Business continuity and disaster recovery: Unforeseen events such as natural disasters, power outages, or hardware failures can severely impact on-premises ERP systems, leading to costly downtime and even data loss. Private cloud hosting ensures data redundancy, backup solutions, and disaster recovery mechanisms, safeguarding your business against disruptions and minimizing downtime. Maintenance and updates: In private cloud hosting, your managed service provider or the hosting provider take responsibility for infrastructure maintenance and updates, reducing the burden on your organization’s IT staff. And importantly—you can control when (and even if) your Sage ERP software is updated. Future-proofing your business For decades, on-premises ERP systems have been the go-to solution for businesses, offering a sense of control and familiarity. However, as technology advances and the demands of the business environment intensify, traditional on-premises ERP systems are revealing their limitations. Virtual private cloud hosting of your Sage ERP application can overcome many of these limitations, allowing you to continue growing and scaling your business while maximizing your software investment. Learn more about Sage Cloud Hosting by contacting a member of our cloud services team.

We are excited to be a Platinum Sponsor of the sold-out Sage Partner Summit 2023, and look forward to greeting all our partners, and future partners in Las Vegas. For those attending please be sure to visit our team at booth #418 for updates on the Cloud at Work partner program and our service offerings. We also invite you to join the Cloud at Work team for an unforgettable evening of fun, networking, and entertainment at Summit After Dark at Top Golf Las Vegas! Co-sponsored by Cloud at Work, along with some of our key strategic partners, this is the perfect opportunity to unwind and connect after a long day of learning and growth at Sage Partner Summit. We hope you can make it! Details and registration info is below. What: Sage Partner Summit After Dark at Top Golf Las Vegas! Date: Monday, May 22 | 8 – 11pm PDT Location: Topgolf | 4627 Koval Lane, Las Vegas, NV 89109 Register Here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/summit-after-dark-tickets-619110725847 This Event is Complimentary. Space is Limited. Food and beverages will be provided at the event.

Sage partnership will accelerate expansion of Cloud at Work’s Canadian customer base; company builds new data center in Toronto to give Canadian customers robust data security, assured application uptime and data compliance. NEW YORK, NY – June 8, 2022 – Cloud at Work (www.thecloudatwork.com ), a purpose-built Sage hosting solution, today announced it has been named by Sage Canada as an approved Strategic Hosting Provider to help Sage Partners migrate Canadian customers to the cloud. Cloud at Work allows Sage customers who are currently using on-premises solutions, including Sage X3, Sage 100, Sage 300, and Sage CRE, to realize the increased performance, efficiencies and financial benefits of SaaS, with the Sage support and SaaS expertise of the Cloud at Work team. A new state-of-the-art data center based in Toronto adds to Cloud at Work’s two data centers based in the U.S., and gives Canadian customers robust data security, assured application uptime, and data compliance for those required to house their data in-country. “Cloud at Work’s new data center will better serve our customers with Canadian data residency needs” -Daniel Oh, Country Manager (interim), Sage Canada.   “Today’s announcement is recognition of Cloud at Work’s hard-won reputation for providing Sage customers across the U.S. with a world-class cloud experience, and Sage’s trust in our ability to deliver the same high level of performance for their customers across Canada,” said Tyler Bower, Director of Cloud and Hosting at Cloud at Work. “Building the data center in Toronto demonstrates our investment in and commitment to our Canadian customers, in meeting the demand for a robust, reliable, compliant hosting environment that unleashes the power of their business.” “Cloud at Work has a proven track record in providing our U.S. customers with reliable, secure, high-performance cloud hosting, which is why our Canadian customers should be delighted with today’s news,” said Daniel Oh, Country Manager (interim), Sage Canada. “With their SaaS knowledge and Sage product expertise, Cloud at Work’s new data center will better serve our customers with Canadian data residency needs. We look forward to the Cloud at Work team continuing to support our Canadian customers and helping them adapt to change, smoothly migrating their Sage applications to the cloud, and giving them the agility needed to succeed in today’s challenging business environment.” Cloud at Work offers secure, scalable technology and a great user experience via an 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 recently received Sage’s accreditation as a Sage X3 Strategic Hosting Provider, adding to previous accreditation as a Sage 100, Sage 300, and Sage CRE Strategic Hosting Provider, validating the strength of the company’s SaaS and Sage application expertise. Cloud at Work’s recent SOC 2 certification assures customers of maximum data security and business continuity, further demonstrating the company’s commitment to client trust and care in helping unleash the power of their business. 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. Businesses using Sage 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.

Adds to Cloud at Work’s previous accreditation as Sage 100, Sage 300, and Sage CRE Strategic Hosting Provider, validating the strength of the company’s SaaS and Sage application expertise in providing customers with a world-class cloud experience. NEW YORK, NY – May 3, 2022 – Cloud at Work, a purpose-built Sage hosting solution, today announced that it has been accredited by Sage as an approved Sage X3 Strategic Hosting Partner. Cloud at Work allows Sage customers who are currently using on-premises solutions, including Sage X3, Sage 100, Sage 300, and Sage CRE, to realize the increased performance, efficiencies and financial benefits of SaaS, with the Sage support and SaaS expertise of the Cloud at Work team. “Today’s announcement provides further reinforcement of Sage’s trust in Cloud at Work’s ability to support Sage partners and customers in providing a world-class cloud experience for their Sage applications,” said Tyler Bower, Director of Cloud and Hosting at Cloud at Work. “The Sage-Cloud at Work partnership meets the growing demand for flexible, fast and safe migration to a reliable hosting environment, giving organizations the agility they need to compete in today’s rapidly changing business landscape, unleashing the power of their business.” Cloud at Work was previously selected by Sage as an Accredited Cloud Hosting Provider for Sage 100, 300 and CRE applications, based on their Sage application expertise and proven ability to provide Sage customers with a hosted environment that provides optimal flexibility and reliably high-level performance. Cloud at Work’s recent SOC 2 certification assures customers of maximum data security and business continuity, further demonstrating the company’s commitment to client trust and care in helping unleash the power of their business. 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. Businesses using Sage 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.