Environmental Benefits of Cloud Computing More Apparent Amid Business Owners' Concerns Over IT-Related Energy Costs

Bruce Hoernecke, President and CEO of BBH Solutions, Inc. says that more businesses are realizing the energy saving and environmental benefits of cloud computing. Mr. Hoernecke says that recent concerns over the volatile energy market and the costs associated with delivering power and cooling to on-premise data centers, coupled with environmental consciousness are leading the way to adoption of cloud technologies.

Cloud computing allows businesses to leverage the secure and powerful resources of a service provider to host their voice, data, and video applications and data storage. These technologies are at the time delivered to the customer's end users on demand, or "as-a-service". Cloud subscribers can access email, office productivity suites, CRM, and video conferencing from anywhere with a secure internet connection. Cloud computing solutions offer security, high availability, continuity of business, and predictable monthly costs for innovation applications.

The cost of maintaining on-premise data centers

"Business owners are concerned about the cost of maintaining on-premise data centers," says Mr. Hoernecke. "They recognize that when they reduce their data center footprint by moving to the cloud, the requirements for additional dedicated electric circuits, cooling, and battery backup decrease as then. It just makes good financial sense, and there's the added bonus of reducing their corporate carbon footprints."

"Recent studies and press coverage on the cloud have helped get the message out. We've seen a growing trend in awareness among our clients of the environmental benefits of cloud computing and hosting."

BBH Solutions launched its "Cloud Integration Services" program before this year, which is designed to help businesses transition from premise-based IT infrastructure to the cloud. The program offers hosted business applications just as Microsoft Exchange and Microsoft Office, hosted Cisco Unified Communications Manager, and videoconferencing. Their staff will conduct a full research needs assessment, write a project plan, and provide services for a seamless migration to The Cloud.

"Cloud clients benefit from the economies of scale associated with their provider's data center," says Mr. Hoernecke. "We're capable of balancing server functionality and storage space precisely to the needs of the end users. Additionally, the power and cooling technologies are optimized for our Network Operations Center, which is dedicated solely for housing storage and server equipment."