Gain Better Control Over Your IT by Moving to the Cloud

In the current era of globalization, organizations must make the best use of accounting. The rapidly changing landscape of IT outsourcing means that organizations must review and redesign project development processes to reduce the development cost of IT projects and make the best use of human resources.

Cloud computing is a type of IT outsourcing that shares resources between multiple users, such as processing and storage. The computing power with many clients makes it more reliable than traditional methods. It is a new paradigm in IT outsourcing. It allows businesses to use software and resources as needed while having unlimited access anytime. The cloud enables organizations to reduce costs and increase productivity by shifting back and forth between on-premises and off-premises environments.

The Challenges of Moving to the Cloud

The idea of outsourcing IT services has been introduced previously. Although outsourcing has been around for decades, it has only recently become more popular and widespread. Outsourcing is a complex process that requires careful planning and execution to ensure that all parties get what they need from the relationship and benefit as much as possible.

Everyone has some experience with outsourcing. Due to inexperience, some software vendors who outsourced a new development project could not meet the deadline and switched from one platform to another. The big question, however, is who gained access to the platform and whether the customer worked daily. Did it have an automated status retrieval system?

Cloud = Better Solution for IT Outsourcing

In recent years, the nature and characteristics of cloud computing have changed dramatically. Cloud computing has proven to be a more scalable and secure approach to providing IT services. It is not just a better means of IT outsourcing; it has become a newer way of delivering IT services.

The Characteristics of IT Outsourcing

1. Resource pooling: The provider has complete control over all aspects of the environment and provides a service abstraction layer to separate the resource allocation from the underlying structure of the target infrastructure.
2. Broad network access: Users can access any application service at any time, from any location, using devices such as PCs or mobile phones.
3. On-demand self-service: Users can launch application services without prior interaction with the administrative service provider.

The critical difference between traditional and cloud-based outsourcing is that with cloud-based services, you don't have to manage your servers because third-party service providers provide them. Instead, you pay only for what you use and contain the software yourself. You can also scale up or down your IT resources as needed because they are always available on demand in real-time.

Immense Importance to Accounting and CPA Firms

Cloud computing provides companies with a transparent, affordable, and scalable model of outsourcing that has proven beneficial to both CPA firms and accounting professionals. Cloud computing allows accounting professionals to manage tasks remotely via mobile devices or computers. It means they can be in a different room than the company's hardware or software, thus saving both parties money on office space and travel expenses. 

Virtualization has made this method affordable. Virtualization allows cloud computing to share hardware resources amongst its users, reducing costs for both parties.

The Applications and Services of Cloud Computing as a More Efficient Method of IT Outsourcing

Cloud computing also ensures that data security is not compromised when implementing IT outsourcing via cloud resources, applications, and services.

1. Application Hosting of CPA and Business Software — Hosting hundreds of applications, including QuickBooks, CCH, and Thomson Reuters accounting applications. Cetrom can host your application even if it is unique to your business model.
2. Microsoft 365 Hosting, Backup, and Retention Services — Cetrom protects Microsoft 365 with cutting-edge AI antivirus security technology. Ninety-five percent of cyberattacks originate via email. AI-based security technologies examine the behaviors and characteristics of potentially malicious emails and files to prevent potential cyber threats.
3. Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) — Cetrom's EDR solutions monitor and analyze the activity and behavior of endpoints, such as laptops, desktops, servers, or mobile devices. Our EDR tools, like NGAVs, collect and store data from endpoints and use various techniques, such as signatures, heuristics, machine learning, or behavioral analysis, to identify and alert potential threats. Cetrom's EDR tools can also perform automated or manual actions to contain or remediate threats, such as isolating infected devices, blocking malicious processes, or deleting malicious files.
4. Managed Detection and Response (MDR) — Cetrom's MDR solution combines advanced technology, expert analysts, and proactive threat hunting to protect businesses from cyber threats. Cetrom clients already benefit from our MDR solution at the server level. Cetrom takes it a step further and is offering MDR for local workstations. Cetrom's MDR solution includes 24/7 monitoring and analysis of the network, endpoints, cloud, and email environments, as well as rapid response and remediation capabilities to contain and eliminate attacks. If a real threat is detected, our Managed Detection and Response (MDR) solution helps mitigate that threat in real-time, helping clients sleep at night.
5. Virtual Desktop (VDI) – Remote Desktop Services — This cloud-based remote desktop solution provides access to the same icons, applications, folders, and files as your office desktop computers. You can access the virtual desktop through a single hero or any web browser with only an Internet connection. This robust solution is entirely secure because we store and execute virtual desktops directly from our servers in our top-tier security data centers in the United States. However, the virtual desktop solution might not be necessary for every firm. It depends on how you need to access various networks and data. Cetrom works closely to identify your unique IT needs and challenges to design a custom environment that meets your unique IT needs.
6. Published Desktop - Published App Services - Published Applications, also known as Virtual Apps, is a solution that allows end users to access individual applications hosted on a remote server. The applications are delivered as high-definition images over the network, and the user interacts with them using a thin client, a web browser, or a mobile app. The user can access multiple applications from different servers, and the applications appear as if they are running locally on the client device.
7. CetromFS – Secure File Sharing — CetromFS was created by and for its users. CetromFS is a corporate data synchronization product that allows users to access and share critical files and folders from their computers and mobile devices. Many Cetrom products result from customer feedback or requests, and we strive to provide cutting-edge technology solutions that exceed our customers' expectations.
8. Cloud Printing Solution — With Cetrom’s Cloud Printing Solution, your team can securely release print jobs when and where they want, from any smartphone, tablet, or computer to any printer. With Single Sign-On, users are automatically logged in and can print across branches or from home to office and release documents using their credentials at the printer from any device. This eliminates the need for local printer servers and facilitates flexible remote printing by hosting all configurations and infrastructure in the cloud.
9. CetromCP—Cetrom’s “Client Portal” allows firms to manage their user accounts as they scale throughout the year, including adding, removing, deleting, and disabling users, adjusting billable services, adding new email addresses, 365 licensing, permission, and data drive access, and more without having to contact Cetrom. CetromCP grants clients more control over maintaining their usage within the Cetrom cloud environment, including paying for their needs.
10. CetromRMM—Cetrom grants firm IT decision-makers access to its Remote Monitoring & Management tool (CetromRMM), giving them more control over their IT systems, workstations, etc. Most notably, CetromRMM enables Cetrom to extend support and security to all devices and optimize performance.
11. Infrastructure and Data Centers — Our two cloud data centers, located in Virginia and Colorado, are geographically separated to provide automatic failover protection and remote backups, ensuring the security of your data and the smooth operation of your IT solution. Both facilities are SSAE 16 (formerly the SAS70 standard) and SOC 2 compliant for top-tier security.
12. Complete Migration Services—Earning your business also entails doing the heavy lifting. As a result, we are taking responsibility for the entire cloud migration process for our services and clients. Although no two migrations are alike, we adhere to the same well-defined Four-Step Cloud Migration Process to ensure a smooth transition.
13. Cybersecurity Awareness Training — 91% of successful data breaches start with a spear phishing attack. Employees need to be trained and remain on their toes with security at the forefront of their minds. Cetrom recommends that clients subscribe to an ongoing cybersecurity awareness program like KnowBe4 to maintain a culture of cybersecurity awareness and prevent security threats from penetrating their network.
14. Outsourced IT Services — Cetrom can support your IT department by providing top-tier services such as a Virtual CIO, Virtual Cyber Security Office, Incident Response Center, and Development and Training tasks. Our outsourced experts supplement your IT staff, allowing you to focus on your CPA and accounting functions.

The Benefits of Moving to Cloud

• Access to a support team available 24x7x365: When you outsource your IT services to a cloud provider, you gain access to a support team available 24x7x365. You gain a security team monitoring threats around the clock. You gain access to cybersecurity awareness training. In addition to these benefits, you get the autonomy and control only an in-house IT department can provide. Some organizations may be more concerned that they won't completely control their data when stored in another company's servers, but ease this process with encryption technology. Cloud computing gives you the best of both worlds: the flexibility of outsourcing and the security of keeping it in-house, all brought together by a consistent technology stack and access to top-notch support.
• Security team monitoring threats around the clock: Cloud service providers have round-the-clock support teams to keep your data safe and secure around the clock. But even if they didn't, cloud servers come with automatic backup capabilities (either online or offsite) that allow you to quickly recover from security breaches or other incidents that would otherwise be costly and time-consuming to fix.
• Controlled maintenance at your preferred schedule and frequency: Cloud computing allows more flexibility in scheduling and frequency of updates and maintenance. You can schedule any maintenance at your preferred schedule and frequency instead of waiting for a third-party entity to come into your building and complete the work.
• More robust security methodologies: Cloud-based systems are more secure because the data is located outside your network and accessed through an external source. Since the information is not stored on your network, there is no malware like viruses or backdoors to access the data. Also, cloud-based systems are updated automatically, so if one of your aspects were to be breached or compromised, it would be fixed much faster than if you were maintaining your servers.

Cloud Computing: The Business Advantage

Cloud computing has much potential for businesses. It offers unlimited access to information and software anytime, potentially decreasing overhead and productivity. Businesses of any type can use the cloud, from small companies to those with hundreds or thousands of employees. It's an excellent way for them to share documents, calendar events, and data files in real-time. Cloud computing also has a high level of redundancy, which means users shouldn't lose data or be slowed down by a faulty server if something goes wrong.

The cloud is growing in popularity with organizations across many industries. Its flexibility, cost savings, and scalability are too good for many businesses. It truly is the future of outsourcing your IT needs and is well worth researching for your business. As cloud computing continues to grow and become more accessible to companies, its benefits lead to more significant competitive advantages.

Cetrom is your trusted cloud and IT advisor in a volatile and uncertain cloud provider market. We provide stability and the best of both worlds, combining big-company technology and experience with a smaller-company emphasis on quality, personalization, and responsiveness.

We handle each client, migration, and support request individually. We've considered how rapid expansion might affect our clients and future partners. That is why our development is highly selective and deliberate.

Don't hesitate to contact us for more information on our customized cloud hosting solutions.