Clearing the fog from the cloud:
how ODI moved Sage and core
IT to a private cloud
When the Overseas Development Institute moved offices
last summer, we wanted to make our Sage 1000 finance and
IT systems more secure and resilient.
IT ‘cloud’ solutions have been promoted very heavily
recently but often without being realistic about the risks
and challenges, particular for systems like Sage.
Our response to these challenges:
a private cloud solution
About us
•
ODI is an independent think tank on humanitarian and
international development
•
Founded in 1960 – approaching middle age?
•
It is a charity, but not a membership organisation
•
Has expanded to current staff of just over 200, plus
research associates, contractors, consultants and interns.
•
A mix of programme and project funding
• Tetra from 1989; Tetra CS; Sage Enterprise; Sage Line 500 • Sage 1000 from 2010
• combining a version of Sage CRM with Fin and Ops • With Sage BI; Paperless; Replicon (Timesheets and
expenses) • Qlikview • SharePoint 2007
• Standard Windows network environment • Hosted on server in our computer room
• Accessed mainly within building on desktop PCs though secure web access also possible
Office move and changed IT
• ODI’s lease at 111 Westminster Bridge Road ended September 2012 • Negotiations with landlord to stay failed
• By mid 2011 it was clear that we had to move • Search launched, brief not to move too far
• New office to support increased meeting and events • With enhanced technology
Decisions on Technology
•
We would not just move our existing IT
•
Our IT systems worked, but DR and business continuity were
problematic
•
New phone/voice comms needed
•
Need to improve and simplify backup
•
Do we go to the cloud?
Noun
The practice of using a network of remote servers hosted on the Internet to store, manage, and process data, rather than a local server...
cloud com·put·ing
•INSHARE0
f computing in which scalable and elastic IT-enabled capabilities are delivered as a service using Internet technologies•INSHARE0
Many kinds of cloud
• Cloud computing is now widely discussed and recommended, but the term is often used ambiguously. It can be broadly defined as a type of computing in which the provision of dynamically scalable and often virtualised resources are provided
as a service over the Internet.
• Several different components can be identified: (
http://www.infoworld.com/article/08/04/07/15FE-cloud-computing-reality_1.html) – Info World April 7 2008, Galen Gruman , Eric Knorr
• Software as a service (SaaS) A single application is delivered through the browser to
thousands of customers using a multitenant architecture eg Google Aps, or Office Live from Microsoft.
• Utility Computing Storage and virtual servers available on demand via the Internet
• Web services in the cloud Services offered to developers to exploit functionality over the Internet
• Platform as a service Development environments are provided as a service- applications can be developed to run on the provider’s infrastructure.
• Managed Service Providers Services for IT systems rather than end users – security, anti-virus or anti-spam services.
• Service commerce platforms A service hub that users interact with eg. Automated service bureau
Everyone going to the cloud?
• Apparently, there is a rush to go there; many IT corporates have
made a massive investment in capacity
– Google widely adopted
– Microsoft putting more there
– Amazon is everywhere
– Resellers also buying into cloud
• Huge savings to be made?
– Opportunities to focus on core business
– Op ex rather than Cap ex
Big cloud or little cloud
•
Some huge players: Google, Microsoft,
Amazon, IBM ..
•
Medium-size: Sunguard
But..
•
Concerns about data security
•
Contracts – too rigid?
•
Transferability
Our situation
•
New server infrastructure (4 + yrs of life left)
•
Fully licenced Microsoft Exchange 2010;
•
Licensed Microsoft Office 2010
•
Hosted email; Office apps would all cost much
more
Our decision: private cloud
•
We decided to move core IT servers to a
datacentre
•
And to migrate services to cloud where it
makes sense
–
Timesheets (Replicon)
–
New HR system from ADP
Private cloud:
relocating our servers to an external data centre – with
high bandwidth fibre link
– Much better resilience – with guaranteed backup power
supplies
– Reduces fit out costs
– Reduces maintenance and support burden
– Improved performance for remote users
– Backup and business continuity become very much easier
On the desks:
18
•
Compact desktop PC
,
with screen, keyboard and
mouse for those working mainly in the office
or
•
Laptops with docking station,
screen, keyboard,
19
Lync 2010
• new phone system as part of unified communications –
• links Exchange 2010 email server; to Lync 2010 server for messaging; conferencing; presence
•Improved video conferencing
• better phone or • all managed through Laptop or PC.
•Simpler cabling, saves on costs
Lync on the desktop
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• Microsoft Lync 2010
• Everyone has a softphone on their
desktop/laptop
• With earpiece/handset
• Integrates with messaging, and
conferencing
• Will work from home/remotely wherever
there is broadband internet access
Printing
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• A high quality multi-function printer/scanner/copier on each floor
– A3/A4 booklets/collating.
• ‘Follow-me’ printing: - print to any printer and collect your prints
when you touch the card reader.
• Will cut wasted paper – save 10-15% straight away
• Printing tracked by person/team
• All supported by one supplier
Audio Visual provision
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• Main conference room facilities with high
definition video-conferencing and resilient streaming
• Larger display screens as well as projector, visible
all round when all 3 rooms combined.
• Interactive white boards for some meeting rooms
• Re-use of newer existing screens and VC
equipment in other rooms
Cloudy future
• Provision becomes more complex
• Increasingly need to draw from range of IT solutions:
• Cloud attractive for certain specialist applications
• Also for generic – Googlemail; Office 365
• But finance/ERP systems? Clear attraction for smaller companies –
financial services as Op ex
• Conservatism of finance directors – reluctance to invest too much
• Private cloud has clear attractions – minimum disruption, yet extra
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Thank you – any questions?
