Six Risks of Cloud Computing (and how we deal with them at Provet)

11.04.2017 1 Who owns your data We’re all familiar with the idea that big cloud providers hoover up your data and use it to sell you things you don’t want. At Provet your data is always yours! We would never use it for anything other than providing you with great service! What’s more if you ever came to leave Provet we’d pack it up in the IT equivalent of a doggy bag and send you on your way. 2 Location of data Cloud computing service providers are often located outside the UK. That means your data can be subject to different privacy and security laws. Here at Provet your data is stored here in Finland and subject to EU laws. That said, we have also provided bespoke data storage that has allowed you to keep your data in your own country. 3 Cost savings disappear as demand grows Cloud based systems can seem like a great deal when starting out. With monthly prices and licences often based on number of users or terminals they can be a steal when you start up. Then, as the practices grows and you expand your team the costs keep rising! Here at Provet we allow you unlimited consultations and users! We have just three prices, based on the number of consultations you do per month and our top tier is unlimited! Better still, we don’t charge licence fees! 4 Lack of internet access leaves you high and dry We get asked this a lot at Provet, what happens if the wifi goes down! It’s true that cloud based systems are reliant on an internet connection. There are, however, several strategies that should mean you’re never without Provet Cloud (or Doctor Google!). Firstly Provet can be accessed on any browser so a tablet or phone with 3G will do just fine. Secondly, most modern phones can be used as a temporary wifi router which can keep key systems up and running. Finally we have worked with clinics in the past who have installed specific equipment that provides a backup Wifi router that uses 3G. There are lots of options and here at Provet we’re more than happy to work with you to find them. 5 Cloud outages leaves you in the lurch On the flip side of the above, even if your wifi is utterly resilient that doesn't guarantee cloud access. If the provider itself suffers an outage, you're back to square one: the Digital Dark Ages. Don’t worry though, you guessed it, Provet has you covered! We use three different sites with two different internet service providers spread across Finland. If our servers go down, it’s probably that start of nuclear winter and we all have bigger fish to fry! 6 Little room for customisation With cloud computing you’re dealing with a hugh faceless corporation. There’s no room for customising the software and they don’t need to listen to your concerns. Not True! Here at Provet we’re always interested in feature suggestions from our users. If there’s something you want, there’s a good chance you are not the only one. At Provet, practice management software is all we do which allows us to have a small team that is able to implement changes far quicker! Think Jack Russell, rather than St Bernard! Is there a risk we’ve missed? Why not comment and see how we cope with it!