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Master Agent Providers Play a Key Role in Helping Companies Move to the Cloud

March 29, 2011

By Susan J. Campbell, TMCnet Contributing Editor

Cloud computing is a concept that companies throughout the global market are embracing. As a result of the demand for this platform, the rules of the game are changing for the master agent seeking to leverage expertise in a specific area of focus. At the same time, IT managers are facing increasing challenges to keep up with technology innovations and ensure their networks are protected in an increasingly exposed process.

As captured in this Inside Networks piece, the challenges facing the IT managers in today’s market can be taxing, not only in terms of personnel, but also in relation to technology. Bandwidth requirements are constantly increasing, which is helping to drive the demand and the challenges for cloud-based solutions.

One important element to remember is the performance of the network can make or break the cloud computing strategy and the master agent can fulfill an important consultative role in communicating that point to key decision makers. IT departments have to plan the network strategy according to the anticipated growth in cloud computing for the company or both strategies can quickly fail.

Visibility into the network is another important element as IT departments are increasingly running virtualized desktops, migrating legacy applications to SaaS (News

- Alert) and leveraging IaaS to develop a new server array for development or testing. Key players in the IT department must have visibility into the performance and the behavior of the network so changes can be made in real-time.

Even with core technology platforms in place, the network is not necessarily secure unless specific steps have been taken. The master agent can help IT managers to determine where vulnerabilities may exist and what changes need to take place to eliminate the risk. This step is important as security concerns have been the key inhibitor to the widespread adoption of cloud computing for the enterprise.

Companies also have to overcome the embedded costs of private corporate data centers. Many larger organizations have built their own data centers and have the capacity to handle the scalability, security and management of business applications, while also protecting the underlying corporate data at the same time. With a large amount of infrastructure already in place, it is more difficult to justify a move to the cloud.

The master agent can have their hands full making the argument for cloud computing when specific obstacles exist. They can, however, promote the real cost savings, flexibility, scalability and visibility that cloud computing can offer. They can also help to develop a strategy that demonstrates the potential of the cloud by only migrating some applications and processes to this platform, instead of a full-blown switch.

TBI is a master agent of telecommunications focused on helping customers to seamlessly – and painlessly – make the move to cloud computing. The company recently announced the launch of TBI wireless. In order to promote the value of mobility to its end customers, the company has focused dedicated management, sales and back office staff to this strategy. TBI understands the enormous potential in wireless and is working with partners to sell and support wireless solutions.

Susan J. Campbell is a contributing editor for TMCnet and has also written for eastbiz.com. To read more of Susan’s articles, please visit her columnist page.

Edited by Jamie Epstein

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Master Agent Providers Play a Key Role in Helping Companies Move to the Cloud

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