Fascinated or confused by talk of “moving to the cloud”? This brown bag will help demystify the concept and demonstrate various ways that new cloud-based technology can help your nonprofit streamline operations, improve engagement and extend your reach.

1. Cloud Storage
May 16, 2012 Seminar

2. Introductions
Stephen Eggers
HandsOn Tech AmeriCorp VISTA
Serving at NPower NW
vistastaff@npowernw.org

3. What is the cloud?

4. What is cloud computing?
The practice of using a network of
remote servers hosted on the
Internet to store, manage, and
process data, rather than a local
server or a personal computer

5. You're already in the cloud!
Video hosting
Online Email
Photo Sharing

6. Why move to the cloud?
• Move away from IT administration and
towards your core mission
o "Outsource" the management of your IT, data,
backups, remote access, etc.
• Cost
o Economies of scale mean that service providers can
be more efficient than you
o Often a free version
o Pay for what you use

7. Why move to the cloud?
• Flexibility
o Access from anywhere with an internet connection
o No IT infrastructure investment
o Easily scalable
• Security
o Industry experts whose full time job is security
o Data redundancy means your data is recoverable
even if your (or their) hardware fails
o Failure of hardware is expected, so they anticipate it
and build around it

8. AMD 2011 global attitude study -
benefits
Source: http://blogs.amd.com/work/amd-2011-global-cloud-computing-adoption-attitudes-and-approaches-study-infographics/

9. AMD 2011 global attitude study -
risks
Source: http://blogs.amd.com/work/amd-2011-global-cloud-computing-adoption-attitudes-and-approaches-study-infographics/

10. Pros / Cons
• Benefits
o Easy access anywhere (with internet connection)
o Built-in backup and redundancy
o Strong security
o Inexpensive
• Drawbacks
o Need a stable internet connection
o Security is only as strong as your password
o Must trust the company

11. Types of Cloud Storage
Sync
Backup
Collaboration
Hybrid

12. Types of Cloud Storage - Simple
Backup
Cloud storage backup solutions allow you to copy your computer’s files onto a
remote server. You can then recover your files should your computer get
stolen or damaged.
Examples include:
• Mozy
• Backblaze
• Carbonite

13. Most cloud storage solutions also
offer synchronization
There are also services that allow you to synchronize data on multiple
computers or devices. Files stored in a special folder or directory get
automatically uploaded and synced across devices.
Examples include:
• Dropbox
• Google Drive
• Microsoft SkyDrive

14. Let's look at Dropbox
• Easy to set up
• Limited in what can be synced
o Anything in the "Dropbox" folder is automatically
synced
• 2GB Free storage
o Paid plans up to 100GB
• Accessible from most platforms
o PC, Mac, Linux
o iPhone, iPad, Android, Blackberry
o Web browser
o Has an API for 3rd party integration

15. Let's look at Google Drive
• Easy to set up
• Limited in what can be synced
o Anything in the "Google Drive" folder is automatically
synced
• 5GB Free storage
o Paid plans up to 16 TB
• Accessible from most platforms
o PC, Mac
o Android (iPhone and iPad coming soon)
o Web browser
o Has an API for 3rd party integration

16. Resources
• Dropbox features
• Google Drive features
• AMD Cloud Study 2011 Cloud Infographic
• Worried about security? - a video tour of
Google's data centers
• Feedback form for this presentation

17. Any questions?
Is that it?
photo by http://www.flickr.com/photos/plasticrevolver/164351244/