One of the concerns that I hear is about whether or not thin or cloud based solutions are stable and concerns about data being off site. Thin client computing is actually based on the origins of computing. Mainframe systems have always had a heavy computing back end with a thin client user interface. This is no different than today, other than the interface changing from a green screen to a GUI driven web interface (in most cases). The solutions are fast and stable, and in most cases the data is more secure than if it was on a client’s site.

Generally, companies want to know how to determine if cloud or thin based solutions are right for them. Here are the top 5 questions that you should ask yourself and your service provider when considering these strategic plays:

1. What types of applications are your users running? If your users are running high demand applications such as CAD/CAM, development platforms, heavy graphics (Photoshop, etc), or any kind of rendering, cloud computing may not be a good fit. This isn’t to say that other applications cannot be intermingled in hosted solutions, this is where you need to ask the questions from your consultant.
2. How many users will be on your environment? This is important to determine bandwidth requirements and back end computing resources. Make sure that the size of your environment is matched with your available resources and that it supports the number of users in your environment.
3. Does the infrastructure need to integrate with your local infrastructure? Unless you are planning to migrate all of your systems you may still have to integrate portions of your existing infrastructure with your hosted applications. Make sure you plan for things like directory services and email integration in your plan.
4. What is the basis for the remote access? Do you plan to have most of your users at a single location or at several large sites? Will the majority of your users be in the field accessing the applications via whatever link is available to them? How your business is run can have a dramatic impact on what your hosted solution will look like. Make sure these questions are answered before you move forward with any solution.
5. How will you address printing? One of the most challenging parts of a hosted environment is ensuring that all of your users are able to print. When an application is hosted in a data center that is off site, it can present technical challenges that need to be addressed early on. In most cases this is easy to overcome with the design phase of your project, however make sure you have a plan here.

In summary, hosting can be an absolute godsend to companies and their users in stability, accessibility, and security as long as it is planned correctly. Make sure you talk to your hosted service provider and plan for your step into the world of hosted applications.

If you have any questions please contact us at 623.234.2000 or at sales@hostinglogistixs.com.

Below is the press release.

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PHOENIX, AZ – (Marketwire – September 21, 2010) – Today hostingLogistixs is announcing the launch of its new website at www.hostinglogistixs.com. The new website provides an enhanced user experience, new products, new hosting plans and pricing, and a fresh look for the company.

The new website was designed to help better communicate with customers and deliver our products more clearly. Our product offerings include Hosted SharePoint, Hosted Dynamics GP, Hosted Microsoft Exchange, Hosted Fax, and Virtual Servers.

About hostingLogistixs:

Founded in 2005 by Jim Gorman, hostingLogistixs, a division of Logistixs Group, LLC., is a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner, Microsoft Small Business Specialist, Citrix Certified Partner, Cisco Certified Partner, and VMware Certified Partner. The company’s comprehensive service offerings include Hosted SharePoint Server, Hosted Dynamics GP, Hosted Microsoft Exchange, Hosted Fax, and Virtual Servers.

Marketing Contact:
Aaron Relph, Creative Architect
Logistixs Group, LLC.
8233 W. Country Gables Dr.
Peoria, AZ 85381
TEL: 623.234.2019