Increase your CRM revenue 5x

Unless you’ve been in a cave for the past year, you already know that Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 is one of the most readily-adopted customer relationship management software programs and the Windows & Office friendly interface is running laps around SalesForce.com and other public web offerings. You probably also know that you can buy Dynamics CRM to install on your client’s server, buy it from a private cloud company like Reviora, or buy it from Microsoft in the form of CRM Online.

If you resell CRM, what you may not know is that Dynamics CRM Online doesn’t allow you to control your margins.  If you do know, then you are one step ahead of your competition. The retail price is set (as of today) at $44 per user per month, and then depending on your status with Microsoft, you will get a certain dollar amount back per month in the first year, and then a reduced amount for the second year and every year thereafter. 

With a private cloud version of CRM, you can pay a highly discounted price and then still charge $44 per user for up to a 5x increase in your margins.  If you can add additional value in the form of training, implementation or customizations, you can charge more and increase you margins even further. 

Keep in mind that with CRM Online you are also implementing a stripped down version of Dynamics CRM 2011 that Microsoft built as a multi-tenant, direct-to-market platform.  Not only are customizations different and limited, but things such as access to reports is not permitted, and third party plug-ins are either limited or not-allowed, depending on the plug-in. 

For a detailed comparison of Microsoft CRM private cloud vs Microsoft CRM Online visit: http://reviora.com/cloud/microsoft-dynamics-cloud/crm-private-cloud/

- written and published by Brian Sallee for Reviora, the leading provider of managed private cloud solutions for ERP software and hosted dynamics. Call 888-REVIORA for questions or comments

Cloud Security

Before signing up for any cloud solution, make sure it is secure! How can you tell? Security in the cloud is similar to security anywhere: there are some basic components that must be secured regardless of whether your data is on your laptop, or in the cloud

Physical Security: All technology relies on physical equipment, and whether that equipment is in your office building, or powering a private cloud from a datacenter, the equipment must be kept protected. The equipment should be locked, secured from theft and vandalism, and resistant to natural forces such as fire and flood. Every datacenter will offer their own set of features, so be sure to check before you buy.

Reviora’s answer to physical security is that your data will be protected physically by enterprise class datacenters complete with biometric access, video cameras, multiple doors, security systems, and even physical security guards.

Virtual Security: Whether your data is on your laptop or in the cloud, it must be protected from hackers and unwanted eyes. It should be guarded by multiple layers of devices and software to protect it. The most important layers is that of the firewall and if you are storing any type of financial or enterprise data, it will need to be an enterprise class system that will not only limit all traffic except for the traffic you want, but also fend off denial of service or intrusion detection attempts.

With the private cloud from Reviora, your data will be protected by powerful firewalls, intrusion detection, physical security devices and virtual software, and the highest level of locked-down access available.

Intellectual knowledge: The best security hardware and software are worthless if they are not managed correctly, or if the user puts their password on a sticky note on their monitor, security is compromised. When you select an excellent datacenter or private cloud solution, you can be assured that experts are running and supporting your data to the best level.  You might have experts on staff, but you will need to evaluate the cost of sending them to ongoing training and having them keep up with daily changes to threats, as well as investing regularly in the latest physical technology with the proper configuration.

- written and published by Brian Sallee for Reviora, the leading provider of managed private cloud solutions for ERP software and hosted dynamics. Call 888-REVIORA for questions or comments

Cloud Confusion: 3 Reasons for the Great Disconnect

Cloud Confusion: 3 Reasons for the Great Disconnect

Ever since Wakefield Research (who was commissioned by Citrix) released data from a cloud-computing survey, “cloud confusion” has been the topic of many articles.

Chances are, you’ve seen the infographic released by Citrix or you’ve read how the majority of people have no idea what the cloud is. Does this statistic sound familiar to you? Fifty-one percent of respondents from Wakefield Research’s survey believe weather can affect cloud computing.

To be honest, I laughed the first time I read these results. The second time I read the results, I was in disbelief. After all, 95 percent of people surveyed use some cloud computing service. By the third time I saw the facts, I was asking myself, “what is causing the big disconnect?” If so many people are using the cloud (anyone take advantage of some good Cyber Monday deals? Cloud computing makes online shopping possible) then how do people still not know what it is? I looked for an explanation in those articles, but found none. Therefore, I’m taking it upon myself to give some sort of clarification as to why so many people have no idea what cloud computing is all about.

1.       Cloud computing isn’t talked about as much as it’s used. Although the actual technology of cloud has been around since the 1960’s, the widespread use of the term has just picked up in recent years. The first time I heard the term “cloud” on TV was in Microsoft’s Family Photo commercial promoting Windows 7.Yes, I realize this may not actually be the first time the cloud showed up in a commercial or on television and no, the commercial didn’t do a superb job of explaining what the cloud is. On a side note, it may have contributed more to the confusion. I actually had someone ask me if Microsoft was promoting a new computer called the Cloud. If the term cloud computing had been used more once the technology came into existence, it wouldn’t seem like such a foreign word.
2.       It’s all in the name. Ok, this explanation may seem simple but you have to admit the term “cloud computing” is at least a little misleading. I mean, what do clouds and servers have in common anyway? Clouds store rain, not data. Servers store data. I can understand how someone who has never heard about cloud computing before might think it has to do with weather. What comes to mind first when you hear someone say, “They’re moving their data to the cloud?” Even though I work in the industry and know what this means, I still imagine someone floating up into the sky with a server in hand. Admit it, you do too.
3.       Cloud computing is the back-up singer to other programs. This point sort of ties into number one. Cloud computing powers many of the programs people are using so it tends to fall into the shadows. Google Docs is a form of cloud computing, but users aren’t thinking about what is powering the program. To them Google Docs is just Google Docs. They write up their document, save it, send it and don’t think twice about where it went. The same for email and Facebook. Most people just log into their programs to accomplish their tasks, they don’t stop to think about what goes on behind the scenes. I like how Adobe’s new creative software offering is called, Creative Cloud. There’s no denying what technology is powering that software!

These are just a few of the factors I think contribute to the confusion people have about cloud computing. Time is most likely going to be the biggest factor here regarding the change in people’s perceptions and knowledge.  As the term cloud computing because more frequently used, people will begin to better understand how it works. I would love to hear any other ideas of why you think cloud computing is such a confusing topic and how and if the problem can be resolved.

- Emily Mepham 

- Published by Reviora / Cerulean - private managed cloud for Acumatica & Microsoft Dynamics CRM, NAV, GP, AX, SL

Cloud Dynamics – Oxymoron?

By definition, Microsoft Dynamics CRM, GP, NAV, AX, and SL require a full-fledged server that has to be in your building, or at the least a rented building, right? Or does it?  Unfortunately “cloud” is often equated with “hosting”, and “hosting” brings a lot of baggage with it. While that baggage and negatives may be accurate for hosting, they also may not apply or even be related to cloud.  “Cloud” is quite different than “hosting.”  For this reason and others “cloud Dynamics”, or “Dynamics in the cloud”, especially the ERP suite, may seem like an oxymoron, when in fact it’s not.

The first aspect of the oxymoron is that Dynamics in the cloud is usually paid for on a named-user basis and so if you already own the license, it simply can’t translate.  Perhaps a better way to evaluate this would be to think about it on a “per user-name” basis where every username that is accessing the cloud is paid for, but it may or may not correspond to the Dynamics license.  According to the Microsoft EULA, all software must be licensed, but there are two ways to approach it.  The first is the traditional “BRL” license model where a license is paid up-front to Microsoft and may be on a concurrent user model.  The second is called “On-demand” which is where the license is rented or leased each month for a fraction of the cost.  This is the first reason why “cloud Dynamics” is not an oxymoron. Whether you own the license already, or want to rent it, the cloud is versatile and can fit either licensing model.

A second aspect of the oxymoron is the foundation servers associated with running Dynamics CRM & ERP software.  Depending on the specific version of Microsoft Dynamics, multiple dedicated servers may be required, integration via email or authentication may be required, and root access or single-tenancy may be needed as well.  All of the above can certainly be met with a server deployment in your office building, but it may not be in an outsourced configuration.  This is an example of the baggage that often comes along with “hosting” – in a hosted environment, you may not be able to have multiple dedicated servers at a reasonable price point, integration with the outside world through email or authentication is difficult, and root access ability may be limited.  However with the cloud, all of the above are not only possible, but in some cases easier.  Dedicated server instances can be assigned to the software, email and authentication methods are already setup, preconfigured, and supported, and root access will give you or your implementation partner everything they need.

In conclusion “Cloud Dynamics” is not an oxymoron, and to the contrary it is usually the easiest and most cost-effective way to run Microsoft Dynamics CRM, AX, NAV, SL, or GP regardless of whether you already own the license or not.

- written and published by Reviora, the leading provider of managed private cloud solutions for ERP software and hosted dynamics. Call 888-REVIORA for questions or comments

Lync: sneak peak

Microsoft Lync 2010 is here, and it’s here in a big way.  It’s also now available in the private and public cloud.  If you haven’t seen it in action, Microsoft Lync 2010 is the epitome of “Unified Communications.” It seamlessly integrates email, instant messaging, video calling, screen sharing, call bridging and full office PBX phone system capability all from one easy to use application or from Microsoft Outlook 2010.

One of the best advantages of Lync is the ability to communicate from anywhere and the best way to do that is to have Lync in the cloud.  A limited version of Lync that does instant messaging is available in the public cloud from Microsoft, and beginning in March, the full version of Microsoft Lync 2010 will be available in the private cloud from Reviora on a subscription per-username basis.

- written and published by Reviora, the leading provider of managed private cloud solutions for ERP software and hosted dynamics. Call 888-REVIORA for questions or comments

Cerulean for hosted dynamics

Reviora takes the lead with Cerulean, the most advanced private cloud for ERP software

Clearwater, Fla. – Reviora is the first of 4000 worldwide Microsoft hosting companies to offer its partners a sophisticated, self-provisioning private cloud built on Microsoft Hyper-V. Reviora launched the product at the 2011 Microsoft Dynamics NAV Directions Conference this month to showcase the new service, Cerulean, and to form new partnerships.

Backed by Microsoft and powered by Reviora, Cerulean is the first cloud service to automate the complex provisioning of enterprise-class software at an advanced level for multiple ERP software programs. It includes an easy to use web-based control panel where a Reviora partner can simply select what ERP (Enterprise resource planning) software they wish to provision, enter in the company and username information, and click “Create.” Within hours or even minutes a new, secure private environment is installed and customized for the new customer. Reviora has synthesized this engine to provide auto-provisioning within the state-of-the-art Microsoft Hyper-V environment. The entire system is a robust, scalable and secure architecture and enables partners and end-users to easily manage their private cloud.  It is able to provision and host Microsoft Dynamics NAV, AX, SL, GP, CRM, and SharePoint.

Founded in 2007, Reviora is a frontrunner in powering cloud-based software. Reviora is the leading provider of managed private cloud solutions for ERP. Reviora focuses on enabling partners to offer software as a hosted or on-demand solution for their customers in order to create a revenue stream. Reviora also specializes in Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) incubation, helping Microsoft Partners with customized versions of hosted Dynamics go to market with a fully web-enabled SaaS offering.