This is How the Cloud Will Change Your Sys Admin’s Job
For all you sys admins who weren’t sufficiently appreciated on System Administrator Appreciation Day last July 26, we thought we would clarify a few things about how the cloud can make your job easier by eliminating many of those time-consuming daily tasks you’d rather not be doing anyway. (And you C-level managers might also want to read this, because instead of bogging down your best IT pros with patches and maintenance, they could be developing strategies for adding value to the business.)
So, what tasks will change for sys admins after migrating to a cloud-based email environment such as Microsoft Hosted Exchange with an experienced provider like SherWeb? Here are 6.
1. Manage Users, Not Infrastructure
Having an email or collaborative platform in the cloud with a hosting pr fovider means sys admins no longer have to manage the environment’s infrastructure. This includes patches, security, server maintenance, etc. In other words, all those burdensome tasks that eat up too much of your time. In exchange, the sys admin gets the peace of mind of knowing that in the event of downtime, there’s a dedicated team working non-stop at the hosting provider’s end to fix the problem. After all, reputable providers have an SLA to respect.
2. Increase IT agility and performance
The cloud’s strongest selling point is its ability to vastly improve IT agility. Because competition in the cloud market is fierce, hosting providers regularly have to improve and upgrade their infrastructure, while still keeping costs down. Infrastructure is updated frequently without any work on the sys admin’s part, but they get all the credit for ensuring reliable performance. Because cloud-based services are instantly scalable, sys admins can easily add new services and users, change settings, etc., in just a few clicks. (And on a user-friendly control panel, instead of more command lines in PowerShell.)
Stop fighting for budgets
3. Less fighting for budgets
Because hosted Exchange, Lync or SharePoint environments are charged on a predictable monthly basis, the cloud also takes fighting for software and infrastructure upgrade budgets off the sys admin’s shoulders. Sys admins no longer have to plan for software upgrade investments, either. The hosting provider will have a simple upgrade process in place.
4. Change platforms with greater ease
Since the better hosting providers will have an experienced and dedicated team in place, migrating from one platform to another becomes much easier for sys admins. Some providers offer this service free of charge, and will plan the migration around your needs.
Cloud is all about security
5. Worry less about security and performance
A lot of stress for sys admins is caused by not having access to the necessary resources to do their job properly. Ensuring server security and performance isn’t easy when you’re working with outdated or overburdened resources. Most hosting providers boast an infrastructure that most SMBs can only dream of. Their secure and modern datacenters are manned round-the-clock by trained and certified professionals who have detailed procedures in place should a security breach occur. For most SMBs, hosting an email environment with an experienced provider will improve service performance and data security greatly. And that’s a big worry to take off your shoulders.
6. Build value instead of just putting out fires
By eliminating these hands-on tasks, the cloud gives sys admins time to be more proactive in the organization. Such as by ensuring a better and more productive user experience. Sys admins can also focus on implementing projects that will help the organization reach its objectives.
Have you migrated Exchange to the cloud? How has it made your job easier?
featured photo credit: IvanWalsh.com via photopin cc
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