A cloud with a definite silver lining for IT firm

Care Micro Systems' expertise in cloud computing has won recognition from world software giant Microsoft which is using the company to promote the service across the globe.

A video taken at its Scarborough headquarters is to feature on the Microsoft website and in marketing material and a member of the Care Micro team was recently asked to speak at Microsoft's World Wide Conference in Washington DC on the benefits of cloud computing to businesses today.

Cloud computing reduces the need for companies, organisations and local authorities to have their own costly servers and software, replacing them with access to low-cost, internet-based platforms and programs.

Moving to the cloud can cut a business or organisation's spending on IT by as much as a half.

Managing director Mike Shingler said: "The days when a company or organisation had endless servers around the building and each employee had his or her own licensed copy of numerous software programs are long gone.

"They can now access internet-based services via 'the cloud' to deal with everything they need. Cloud computing gives their people access to a network and to the software applications that they want to use at a fraction of the cost to the company of installing and managing

these itself.

"Cloud computing services gives your team the use of the very latest versions of operating and application software, smoothly and efficiently upgraded, with the added benefit to the company of

secure back-up storage, anti-spam and anti-virus, all off site and with the minimum of input.

"It massively reduces the capital expenditure needed and the ongoing in-house support, slashing costs by as much as half and providing a much greener, environmentally-friendly IT solution."

Care Micro has refocused its business to providing small to medium sized enterprises – up to 250 users – with access to cloud computing services.

Already a Microsoft Gold Partner, Care Micro's leadership in cloud computing led the software giant to use the company as an example of

how the new services can transform businesses and organisations, having migrated a large number of their own customers to the cloud.

A film crew spent a day at Care Micro filming and interviewing sales director Paul ffelan on the benefits of cloud computing to use in Microsoft marketing.

Mr ffelan has also addressed the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference in Washington DC in July.