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All-in-one cloud platform

Combining cloud computing with application and desktop virtualisation in a single platform gives companies the best of both worlds, says Richard Vester, director of EOH Cloud Services.


Johannesburg, 21 May 2015

A few years ago, things like backup and disaster recovery, the deployment of applications and software, and server management, were subject to a number of choices on the part of IT departments. These included selection of technologies and vendors, as well as decisions around management and maintenance. With the evolution of cloud computing, however, a number of these options have been simplified.

Two areas in particular have been streamlined, says Richard Vester, Director of EOH Cloud Services. "Disaster recovery used to be a considerable undertaking, requiring investment into a number of areas as well as extensive management. Today, it can be as simple as having a cloud provider tailor it to your requirements and receiving the right solution in one package. Similarly, the deployment of desktops and applications to large numbers of users necessitated huge upfront investment and many man hours. Thanks to virtualisation and cloud computing, time and money outlays have been reduced."

He explains that effective disaster recovery relies not only on the guaranteed ability to get systems back up and running as fast as possible, but the assurance that all data will be restored. Virtualisation, long used to aid companies in making more effective use of their assets, has made the entire process easier and faster through the use of virtual machines, which can be duplicated and recreated in a fraction of the time it takes to restore traditional backups.

"Virtual machines allow all data - including applications and software, local data, settings and memory - to be protected. Because there is no need for a physical server or desktop rebuild, the virtual machine can be recreated in any virtual environment, so restoring the data is that much simpler and faster - and more cost-effective," Vester says.

Those benefits also apply to desktop virtualisation, he adds, which is changing the way organisations deliver applications to their users. "Simplified desktop and app deployments and management, reduced costs, and an improved user experience are a few of the reasons desktop virtualisation is seeing increasing uptake."

All of these advantages, together with reduced operational and management overheads, are easily accessible through a common management platform of the type offered by cloud providers. EOH's cloud platform, for example, provides a complete virtualisation and cloud computing solution.

"Because our platform provides service delivery from any type of cloud, organisations can provision backups, desktops and application within their chosen environment - be it private, public or hybrid cloud. Deployment can be done to any device, creating an extremely agile ecosystem," says Vester. "By combining cloud computing with application and desktop virtualisation in a single platform, we allow organisations to access the best of both worlds, and gain scalability, agility and efficiency."

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EOH

EOH is one of the largest technology and knowledge services provider in South Africa and provides the technology, knowledge, skills and organisational ability critical to Africa's development and growth. EOH's 6 000 staff members deliver end-to-end enterprise applications solutions, a wide range of outsourcing, cloud, managed services and business service offerings to customers across all major industries.

EOH has been listed on the JSE ("JSE") since 1998; for more information, visit: www.eohcloud.co.za.

Editorial contacts

Mia Andric
Exposure
mia@exposureunlimited.net