ZonesCloud Flashcards
ZonesCloud Value props
Client benefits:
1 - One Stop Shop for clients for all of their cloud needs.
1.1 - Allows clients to track, manage and renew their software subscriptions.
1.2 - Provides clients access to order history and subscription details.
2 - Simplified administration and better management.
3 - It’s Central management console feature allows clients to log in to one platform and have visibility over multiple subscriptions at once rather than to log into multiple backend systems.
4 - Usage metrics? Also Give clients critical visibility into their cloud usages.
Volume licensing
Volume purchasing typically refers to buying products or services in large quantities, often at a discounted rate.
It’s a common practice for businesses or individuals looking to save costs when buying items in bulk.
Cloud Computing? (Introduction)
Cloud computing involves accessing and storing data, as well as using various services and applications, over the internet instead of relying on local servers or personal devices.
Examples of cloud providers include AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform.
Cloud Deployment Models
1 - Public
2 - Private
3 - Hybrid
Cloud Service Models?
IaaS (Host)
PaaS (Build)
SaaS (Consume)
IaaS, SaaS, PaaS are Often referred as cloud computing stack, because they are build on each other.
●Software (Apps you use everyday like Office 365, Google drives, docs etc.) ●Platform (Platforms on which develop their own applications/ software) ●Infrastructure (Hosted infrastructure like web servers for businesses to host, test and update their own services)
SaaS (Software as a service)
SaaS (Software as a service)
Definition:
●Cloud computing model where software applications are provided over the internet on a subscription basis, eliminating the need for users to install, maintain, and update the software locally.
●Examples include Google Workspace, Adobe photoshop, Dropbox etc.
SaaS advantages:
a. Low Setup and Infrastructure Cost: SaaS minimizes upfront expenses by hosting software in the cloud and by eliminating the need for extensive hardware and infrastructure investment.
b. Accessible from Anywhere: Users can access SaaS applications through the internet, from any location.
c. Provides Scalability: SaaS allows for easy scalability and thus accommodate varying user demands without the need for significant manual adjustments or hardware upgrades.
d. Industry-Leading SLA’s: SaaS providers offer robust Service Level Agreements (SLA’s), thus ensure high levels of reliability, performance, and support for their services.
e. Automatic and Frequent Updates: SaaS platforms automatically handle updates and maintenance thus ensuring that users always have access to the latest features and security patches without manual intervention.
f. High Level of Security: SaaS providers invest in advanced security measures which include high encryption and authentication protocols, to safeguard user data.
PaaS: (Platform as a service)
PaaS (Platform as a service)
Definition: It’s a cloud computing service that provides a platform and allow customers to build, test, deploy and manage applications without dealing with the complexities of infrastructure, hardware, or software maintenance.
Examples include Google App Engine and Microsoft Azure App Services, IBM cloud.
PaaS Advantages:
a. Streamlined Development Process: PaaS accelerates application development by providing a pre-configured platform that streamline the development processs and reduce the need for developers to manage underlying infrastructure.
b. Cost-Efficient Scalability: PaaS offers automatic scalability and allow applications to scale easily based on demand without the need for manual intervention and optimization of resource usage.
c. Simplified Deployment and Management: PaaS automates deployment processes and make it easier to manage applications throughout their lifecycle, from development to testing till production.
d. Built-In Tools and Services: PaaS includes a variety of built-in tools and services, such as databases, middleware, and development frameworks, which simplify application development and integration.
e. Collaboration and Team Productivity: PaaS facilitates collaboration among development teams by providing a centralized platform for coding, testing and deployment.
f. Reduced Maintenance Burden: PaaS providers handle infrastructure maintenance tasks, including updates and security patches, which frees developers from these responsibilities and allowing them to focus on innovation and code improvement.
IaaS (Infrastructure as a service)
IaaS (Infrastructure as a service)
Definition:
■It’s a cloud computing model that provides virtualized computing resources over the internet.
■With IaaS, users can rent virtualized hardware resources, which includes computing power, storage, and networkin without relying on physical hardware.
■Examples include Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure.
Pay as you go service (Only pay for a resource as long as you need it)
IaaS Advantages:
1 - Reduces capital expenditure and optimizes cost. (Eliminates the cost of Managing and configuring physical data center,hardware cost and maintenance cost)
2 - Increases scale and performance of IT workloads. (Allow you to scale globally. You can provide IT resources to individuals present around the globe within matter of seconds, which thus results in ehancing your efficiency)
3 - Increases stability, reliability, and supportability (No need to maintain and upgrade hardware and software. Cloud provider ensures reliability and provision lf upgrade services)
4 - Enhances Security (Cloud providers have associated backups and thus manage and secure your data more effectively than you can attain in house)
Introduction to Software as a Service - Subscription licensing
Users are shifting their on-prem software solutions to cloud under software as a service model, also known as subscription licensing.
- Pay for what you use.
- Operational expense ( like بجلی کا بل، گیس کا بل )
- E.g (Office 365, G suite, Dropbox, Salesforce, Zoom)
Advantages of SaaS:
1 - Accessibility (Running over the browser 24/7 via internet)
2 - Operational Management (You don’t have to manage licenses traditionally as cloud providers will do it for you)
3 - Cost effective (No upfront hardware costs ; Pay as you go model)
4 - Scalability (Can easily scale solution according to accomodating needs)
5 - Data Storage (Routine safed in clouds)
6 - Increased Security
Disadvantages of SaaS:
1 - Less Control
2 - Limited customization
3 - Slower speeds
4 - Security Risks
Key takeaways?
- Small businesss find SaaS handy.
- Large companies can use SaaS for short term projects.
- Any company can benefit from SaaS when dealing with web and mobile access.
Perpetual licensing
- Perpetual licensing involves purchasing the right to use a software product indefinitely, with a one-time payment.
- Unlike subscription models, where you pay regularly for access, perpetual licenses provide ongoing use without the need for continuous payments.
- Keep in mind that while you have the right to use the software indefinitely, support and updates may have separate costs or limited durations.
Strategic Partners with ZonesCloud
- AWS, jamf, Adobe, DocuSign, Veritas, VEEAM, TREND MICRO, Checkpoint, Dropbox etc.
NCE?
What is NCE?:
●NCEstands for New Commerce Experience.
●It was introduced by Microsoft as part of a seat-based subscription and it provides flexibility to customers by allowing them to purchase Microsoft 365 licenses on amonthly basis without an annual commitment.
●With NCE, clients have the option to choose either a monthly or annual subscription based on their needs.
Key Aspects of NCE:
●Monthly vs. Annual Subscription:
●Clients can opt for either a monthly or annual subscription.
●The monthly subscription is approximately 20% more expensive than the annual subscription.
●Monthly subscriptions offer more flexibility for adjusting licenses based on changing user counts.
Cancellation and Reduction:
●Once an annual subscription is activated, it can only be cancelled or reduced within 7 days of activation.
●After that initial period, no cancellation is available until the anniversary date.
●Upgrades or quantity increases are still possible even after the 7-day deadline.
●Downgrades in subscriptions or quantities can only happen at the end of the subscription term.
●Mixing Subscription Terms:Clients can mix subscription terms to balance flexibility and cost savings.
●Transaction Partner Lock-In:During the agreed-upon term, clients cannot cancel subscriptions or change their Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) transaction partners.
Scenarios:
1 - All Subscriptions Are Annual:
●If all subscriptions are annual, clients can modify some to monthly terms for flexibility.
●For example, if headcount fluctuates seasonally, they can commit to 15 annual subscriptions and modify the remaining 5 to monthly terms.
2 - All Subscriptions Are Monthly:
●If all subscriptions are monthly, clients can adjust quantities as needed.
●For instance, if headcount decreases, they can commit to 15 monthly subscriptions and cancel the unneeded 5.
Business Basic, Standard, Premium
Certainly! Let’s break down the Microsoft 365 plans you mentioned:
Microsoft 365 Business Basic:
Starting at $6.00 per user per month (annual subscription).
Includes:
Identity, access, and user management for up to 300 employees.
Custom business email (you@yourbusiness.com).
Web and mobile versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
Chat, call, and video conference with Microsoft Teams.
1 TB of cloud storage per employee.
Additional apps like Microsoft Bookings, Planner, and Forms.
Automatic spam and malware filtering.
Anytime phone and web support.
Learn more
Microsoft 365 Business Standard:
Starting at $12.50 per user per month (annual subscription).
Includes everything in Business Basic, plus:
Desktop versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
Webinars with attendee registration and reporting.
Collaborative workspaces using Microsoft Loop.
Video editing and design tools with Microsoft Clipchamp.
Learn more
Microsoft 365 Business Premium:
Starting at $22.00 per user per month (annual subscription).
Includes everything in Business Standard, plus:
Advanced identity and access management.
Enhanced cyberthreat protection against viruses and phishing attacks.
Enterprise-grade device and endpoint protection.
Sensitive information discovery and protection.
E1, E3 and E5
Microsoft 365 E1:
Basic plan with essential services:
Web-based Microsoft Office apps (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
File storage (OneDrive)
Suitable for organizations looking for fundamental productivity tools1.
Microsoft 365 E3:
Comprehensive suite of enterprise functionality:
All apps included in E1
Desktop versions of Office apps
Advanced security and compliance capabilities
Scalable business analytics with Power BI
Copilot for Microsoft 365 (available as an add-on)
Additional apps and services (e.g., SharePoint, OneNote, Microsoft Stream, etc.)12.
Microsoft 365 E5:
Everything in E3, plus:
Enhanced security and analytics
Copilot for Microsoft 365 (available as an add-on)
Additional apps and services (e.g., Microsoft Lists, Power Apps, Power Automate, etc.)12.
In summary:
E1: Basic web-based apps and email.
E3: Full suite of Office apps, advanced security, and analytics.
E5: E3 features plus extra security and analytic
Difference between M365 and Office 365?
As of my last update, Microsoft 365 (M365) and Office 365 are subscription services offered by Microsoft, but they serve slightly different purposes and contain different sets of features.
Office 365 is primarily focused on providing cloud-based office applications. This includes the suite of Office apps like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and depending on the plan, may also include services like Exchange Online (for email), SharePoint Online (for collaboration), and Teams (for communication).
Microsoft 365, introduced more recently than Office 365, includes everything that’s part of Office 365 and adds additional features and services that are oriented toward a more comprehensive security and device management strategy. This includes:
- Windows 10 or Windows 11 Enterprise licenses (for Microsoft 365 plans that include operating system licenses).
- Enterprise Mobility + Security (EMS), which provides additional security features like threat detection and identity and access management.
- Device management capabilities via Intune, which helps organizations manage the devices that are accessing their information.
The intent behind Microsoft 365 is to provide a complete, intelligent solution that integrates people, information, and tools, ensuring that employees have everything they need to be productive and secure, whether they are working on-premise or remotely.
Here are some common scenarios:
- A small business might opt for Office 365 to ensure its team has access to email, document creation, and cloud storage.
- A larger enterprise might choose Microsoft 365 for the added benefits of Windows 10/11, better security with EMS, and device management through Intune to ensure all aspects of their IT infrastructure are integrated and secure.
In terms of choosing between the two, it largely depends on the specific needs of a business—whether they need just the office tools or a broader suite that includes enhanced security and device management features.
