Transition to Cloud Computing

[Larry Tew]

I find it hilarious that you think of apple and firefox as non standard technology.

If 100% of the software I use on a daily basis is designed for Windows and 10% (or whatever percentage you want to say) is written for Apple, that's what I mean by standard versus non-standard. Having to run the program in Virtual Windows on an Apple doesn't count. Same with browsers. I've read scores of posts here where people talk about this company or that program only working properly in IE.

Standard vs non-standard isn't necessarily good vs bad. It's not like I insulted your mama or anything.

 

[Guest]

Standard vs non-standard isn't necessarily good vs bad.

I can make a good argument that "the cloud" is "standardizing" all applications and is making individual platforms... Windows, OS X, Linux, ... more and more irrelevant in business offices across the world each year.

You know how the old saying goes... what's old becomes new again?

In the "old days" we had dumb terminals hooked up to giant mainframes in some far-off data center. Then everything got local ("balkinized" as some would put it) via first mini-computers and then personal computers. Now, with the web and better networking we're going back to the "dumb terminal" concept.

Now, the counter to that argument is that we're being further fragmented via mobile devices.... Apple apps vs. Android apps, etc. But just like Beta vs. VHS, and Windows vs. CPM, some platform will emerge dominant and everyone will write software for that platform. My guess right now is Apple which I see as the "new" Microsoft... the "monopoly" of the "app."

As for the insurance industry, yes there are still those who publish proprietary desktop software (Ohio National, Principal, etc.) and some that have websites that are IE centric (Aetna, LIMRA) but the movement has been away from that and toward cloud computing. It's a better business model for both the carrier and the end-user as the investments for each are smaller and timelines are shorter.

Ohio National just brought out a new UL product. They had to roll out a new version of their desktop software... meaning thousands of agents had to be alerted and had to download it and had to install it... with the usual percentage of corrupted downloads, computer crashes, server overloads, and "expensive" tech support calls where their help desk gals would hear "I installed your software and now my PC won't boot up." Compare that to a quote system on the web where there is one update to go live and the entire user-base is on board. If there is a bug, you don't have to have yet another download to your 10,000 agents.

But... if you are comfortable with only using desktop software, that is what you should do. You were spot-on about one thing. Technology must be a servant, not a master. I think you and your business has it right. Unfortunately for me, I like to have the newest and greatest... I'm addicted to "new tech" and "cool stuff" which is one reason I'm on the Mac platform... because I can do so many "cool things" easier than on Windows or Linux.

I'll be starting my 12-step program soon to get this tech monkey off my back and maybe be a normal person again!

 

[ksigmtsu]

In terms of managing other people, cloud (intranet or internet) is 100x better than installed on each system.

If you want to make sure all your users are using the newest rates in your quote engine, make the data be collected from the server where you do your updates. If you want the leads called a certain way, control it from the back end.

You can minimize a certain amount of mistakes, or at least make them your fault.

You can also do this using a server in your office, and mitigate the risk even though the hardware is on site.

 

[Larry Tew]

Ohio National just brought out a new UL product. They had to roll out a new version of their desktop software... meaning thousands of agents had to be alerted and had to download it and had to install it... with the usual percentage of corrupted downloads, computer crashes, server overloads, and "expensive" tech support calls where their help desk gals would hear "I installed your software and now my PC won't boot up." Compare that to a quote system on the web where there is one update to go live and the entire user-base is on board. If there is a bug, you don't have to have yet another download to your 10,000 agents.

Yep, I had to download it too. The other side is that for a while I decided to use Jackson's software (Jill) web based only. That didn't last long. Several times I found the software sluggish and unresponsive. I downloaded the desktop version and now can run their illustration software regardless of their server or web connectivity

But... if you are comfortable with only using desktop software, that is what you should do. You were spot-on about one thing. Technology must be a servant, not a master. I think you and your business has it right. Unfortunately for me, I like to have the newest and greatest... I'm addicted to "new tech" and "cool stuff" which is one reason I'm on the Mac platform... because I can do so many "cool things" easier than on Windows or Linux.

I'll be starting my 12-step program soon to get this tech monkey off my back and maybe be a normal person again!

I'm comfortable using either platform - I simply don't want to be at the mercy of servers or connectivity to run a meeting. Whichever way that minimizes that threat is ok with me.

And being a technology early-adopter is nothing to apologize for.

 

[retread]

Early Adopter?...Arg-g-g-g! I funded more hardware and software over the years than I can count... wish I had put that money in a bank instead.

I left Apple because Apple obsoleted my investment and let me no alternative but to upgrade to their newest invention or go elsewhere. I went elsewhere.

IBM I abandoned because they abandoned support for OS/2.

Off-shore motherboards I abandoned because they tend to terminate driver support as fast as they build another mobo.

I found I was spending too much time as the IT department of my own business than running my business. I finally settled on some rock solid equipment, a good backup scheme, and as much automation as I can tolerate.

I backup my files realtime. I backup daily work each evening on a schedule, and clone my primary drive weekly. This is commonly called the Grandfather-Father-Son scheme and it works for me.

Like Larry Tew said, my work is to run my business, not my IT demands. As also stated, machines are made to be used, not to be enslaved to them.

I avoid cloud computing because I don't have the level of control over my data that I have with my setup. I refuse to be subservient to another company's policies and/or foibles.

An example: I had a bank account that ran a promo, giving away a free safety deposit box. One day I find myself locked out of all my accounts. I called the bank to find out what's up. They informed me that I had not paid my safety deposit box annual fee. I reminded them they had given it to me free. "Oh!" They said. "We're sorry... we'll fix that." Well, I fixed it myself... I moved all my accounts to another bank around the corner. I have to protect my business from other businesses that aren't operating in my best interest.

Same thing with cloud computing... I will not give them the keys to my business. There is always going to be some dolt that will screw things up. I make enough of my own mistakes without having to worry about employees of some other organization.

 

[Larry Tew]

...I left Apple because Apple obsoleted my investment and let me no alternative but to upgrade to their newest invention or go elsewhere. I went elsewhere.

IBM I abandoned because they abandoned support for OS/2.

Off-shore motherboards I abandoned because they tend to terminate driver support as fast as they build another mobo...

It's called "Planned Obsolescence". Things arrive at market with a lifespan already decided. I bought my first HP Laserjet in 1990 and paid $1500 for it. Since then I've bought two HP laptops and at least 8 HP printers. I bought an HP 3055 all-in-one in 2006 and it worked great. When Vista came out, and then Windows 7, HP decided they were not going to provide fully functional drivers. The result is that the machine won't scan unless you're using Win XP. I called HP about it and got the standard corporate double talk.

Brother, on the other hand, was quick to deliver fully functional drivers for Vista and W7. They have been taking long-time HP customers left and right. Go into a Staples and you will see HP printers and all-in-ones STILL not fully supporting W7. The sticker on the unit says "Windows 7 Ready"... meaning NOT fully functional.

 

[retread]

It's called "Planned Obsolescence". Things arrive at market with a lifespan already decided. I bought my first HP Laserjet in 1990 and paid $1500 for it. Since then I've bought two HP laptops and at least 8 HP printers. I bought an HP 3055 all-in-one in 2006 and it worked great. When Vista came out, and then Windows 7, HP decided they were not going to provide fully functional drivers. The result is that the machine won't scan unless you're using Win XP. I called HP about it and got the standard corporate double talk.

Brother, on the other hand, was quick to deliver fully functional drivers for Vista and W7. They have been taking long-time HP customers left and right. Go into a Staples and you will see HP printers and all-in-ones STILL not fully supporting W7. The sticker on the unit says "Windows 7 Ready"... meaning NOT fully functional.

YES!! I didn't mention it, but I also abandoned HP in favor of Brother printers several years ago. I found the ethics of HP questionable when they incorporated a chip in their inkjet cartridges that terminated print capability on their time schedule, independent of the amount of ink left in the tank. I complained to HP and got a similar run-around. I know some people filed lawsuits over this, but I simply threw HP out.... and I had a HP laptop that I junked as well. I have not bought a HP product for about 5 years, and I used to be a regular customer.

 

[Robert Barney]

Just a hiccup:

Sony PlayStation Network and Qriocity hacked: Sony's PlayStation Network, Qriocity hacked - latimes.com

Nothing to worry about folks:

Sony Corp. said hackers had obtained personal data, and possibly credit card information, of tens of millions of people who have registered for PlayStation Network, the company's online game and movie service, as well as Qriocity, its on-demand digital music service.
​

Just a fluke.

 

[stuy119]

Just a hiccup:

Sony PlayStation Network and Qriocity hacked: Sony's PlayStation Network, Qriocity hacked - latimes.com

Nothing to worry about folks:

Sony Corp. said hackers had obtained personal data, and possibly credit card information, of tens of millions of people who have registered for PlayStation Network, the company's online game and movie service, as well as Qriocity, its on-demand digital music service.
​

Just a fluke.

I find this funny, because if someone REALLY wanted to break in and change all the CL rates, they could. Easily, I'm sure. But they don't want to, so you're safe.

The fact is, no data is safe. There is always a way to get to it if that's the end goal.

 

[Crabcake Johnny]

Just a good safety precaution. I have that one little separate debit card I use for all online purchases - insurance related and anything else where I have to plug my info in online.

My balance is always near zero and money is moved onto it only to make purchases or payments. Then it's back to $5.

So yes, it would suck if my CC info got stolen....but I'd be potentially be out $5. Per the new CC laws, no purchases can be authorized over the amount I have available.