Provide a brief description of the Solution?
Since 2006, Oriso has build and deployed a cloud solution for the SMB market. Under newly registered trademark iGOvirtual(R) (www.igovirtual.com), Oriso has integrated over 35 customers (more than 1000 users) in its fully hosted and virtualized outsourcing solution, providing all its customers applications, network services, user support and infrastructure maintenance while only an Internet browser and an Internet link is required on premise.
Describe what elements of the cloud computing architecture were deployed in this solution, such as private vs. public cloud, how those decisions were made, and how security concerns were factored into the project design and implementation?
We deploy both semi-private and private cloud solutions. All of our customers are setup with entirely secured and private data storage environment built with virtualization, while than can use many shared services throughout our infrastructure (such as multi-tenant Exchange solution, Sharepoint, anti-spam, anti-virus, etc.). It is built as a condo tower where each customer has its own secured place, while accessing their condo services (indoor pool, parking, training room..). Architecture design has been carefully designed to cover all security aspects: physical, logical, access rights & privileges setup and change management, etc.
Describe what makes your cloud computing solution unique or innovative, and how you pushed the boundaries of a typical cloud computing architecture in designing and implementing this solution for your client?
We have developed our own secured access portal, independent of all technologies used in our infrastructure, which gives us two main advantages: keep the customer in its own customized portal environment year after year, even if application deployment technologies change over time and secondly: provide the opportunity for a wide VAR channel network to brand and resell our cloud services without making any investment, nor hiring any new person.
Discuss why a cloud computing-based solution was the right choice for your client in this business case, rather than a traditional IT architecture?
It has started in 2005 when we were discussing a third full-network renewal with a customer and he asked us if instead a selling again new servers, upgrading PC, and changing its backup system, we could provide a fully hosted solution including everything they need and invoice monthly for a “rent”, per user, so he could budget yearly for his IT expenses. So we built iGOvirtual. No more server required, same PC, no IT staff, just logon and connect.
Describe the business need this solution was expected to fill for your client, and how this solution has meet or exceeded those expectations. What measurable metrics, such as reduced costs or other efficiencies, can be provided to support the customer’s return on investment?
Cost is always part of the discussion, but the many other reasons push a customer in our iGOvirtual cloud solution: standardization of all applications, speed of deployment, worldwide secured remote access with very satisfying speed, unlimited user support, full maintenance activities (even during daytime, not affecting operations because of our double-site virtualization setup), and ease of deploying new applications and services.
Discuss how designing and implementing this cloud computing solution challenged or broke new ground for you as a solution provider. How did it differ from other cloud computing implementations you have done, and what new challenges were faced by your technical and sales staff?
We have always been a local IT network integrator and outsourcer, not a hosting company. It has been quite challenging to take our same staff and migrate them to a hosting team. Four years ago, a lot of people thought we were out of our mind to invest so much in such a solution, that NO SMB entrepreneurs would move data out of their local server: they were wrong. Not only have we developed our own specific way of going to market and close our deals with new customers, we were also able to pull-off our biggest reselling agreement with a large Canadian IT company: Hartco.
How does this solution further your customer’s green or environmentally friendly plans?
Most SMBs don’t have a formal or legal environmental pressure, but it is more a moral pressure and they totally see in iGOvirtual a way to make their mark towards a greener environment.
