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Concerns |
Our Success Depends on How We Address Your Concerns
Shouldn't I be afraid to "give up" my data?
At first, most people are uneasy with the fact their data will no longer reside onsite. It's a valid concern. You know who's in your office. You know who has physical access to your servers. At anytime, you can put the backup tape in your briefcase and take it home with you. Clearly, there's a sense of security in all this -and at first glance, it appears as if you're giving this up.
Still, the sense of security most people feel when data is housed onsite is based more on perception than on reality. Do you really know who walks around your office? Are you positive that your backups will be there when they're needed? What if a disgruntled employee decides to do some damage? What's to prevent the computer guy from copying private data? Is the office connected to the Internet using a DSL line or a T1 that might be breached by some clever hacker? What's to prevent an intruder from accessing the server? If a competitor wanted to get a hold of the customer list, would you even be aware that there have been attempts to break into the system?
Protecting your data is serious business that should be evaluated logically rather than emotionally. The list of issues is long:
- Viruses
- Hard drive failures
- Intruders
- Privacy
- Accessibility, etc.
It's easy to assume your data is safest only when you can touch and feel it. But data is similar to other valuables - most times, it makes more sense to let experts provide security. That's what they get paid to do.
AppCentral is armed with the latest security technology to securely house your data. Hundreds of companies store data in private client storage areas within our data center. They do so knowing their data will always remain private, secure, and virus free. Similar to the way a bank operates, your strict privacy is always maintained. Security is always foremost, and you can be confident your digital assets are safe and sound.
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What if my office's Internet connection goes down?
Your Internet connection is your only responsibility. Therefore, it's your only point of failure. There's no way around it: If you don't have Internet access, you won't be able to run your applications and access your data. Fortunately, this is a simple problem to overcome.
Have a backup way to get on the Internet. Most clients access the Internet via a DSL or T1 connection to their office. Smaller offices and homes usually have cable modems - and of course, there's dial-up. Most offices today already have these data lines installed and are familiar with how frequently or infrequently they're down.
Most people experience very positive results. Your line may only go down once every 3 to 4 months, and for very short periods of time. Occasionally, people have poor results where the line will go down regularly and it makes sense to switch providers or carriers. The truth is this: These days, most data lines are cheap and reliable. Nonetheless, every business should have a backup connection to the Internet. Even clients who haven't had an issue with their line for 12 to 18 months are wise to at least have an active dial-up account in case of an emergency.
Our clients who expressed this concern at the outset quickly see that the advantages far exceed the disadvantages.
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How do I put a backup connection to the Internet in place?
The backup method should be based on the number of users at the location. For example, a small office that normally uses DSL will have a dial-up account in the event the line goes down. Additional cost: $10-15 per month. A larger office that normally uses a T1 line will have a cable modem or a DSL line as backup. Additional cost: $50-$120 per month. And if for some reason you don't put backup in place, we have dial-up accounts that are reserved exactly for this purpose.
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What about software licensing & upgrades?
The majority of our clients already own licenses for the software they use. Generally, we request some proof or letter stating that the licenses are owned. After that, we can manage and deliver your applications. If the client doesn't have sufficient software licenses, they have two options: (1) Buy them outright or (2) pay us monthly if the vendor offers it. Microsoft, the largest software vendor, offers all of their software titles on a monthly rental basis. We do not profit from software licensing. Whether you purchase or rent, only our cost gets passed on to you.
Regarding upgrades, we generally obtain the latest software versions as soon they become available. We do not remove previous versions so you always have the option of keeping the older version. Again, as long as you have the proper licenses, we're able to provide the software to you immediately.
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What about the speed?
When people first learn of AppCentral, they usually question the speed. Isn't it slower because the applications are not running locally? The answer is emphatically no! Normally, you double-click an icon on your desktop and within 3 to 5 seconds -the application is open and ready to use. With AppCentral, the first application you run requires a connection to our data center to be established. This happens automatically and it takes approximately 5 to 10 seconds, depending on the connection. Once that connection is established, applications will open in less than 2 seconds - faster than running them on a normal desktop. Using the applications is entirely seamless. You can't tell the difference. On a 56k connection, you may experience an occasional delay but nothing that would interfere with a user's productivity. The best way to alleviate any doubts is to try it. We would be more than happy to setup a demo account for your use.
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How do I cancel the service?
Because we don't require long-term commitments from our clients, you can cancel at any time without any penalty. We even guarantee to restore all your systems to their original condition. We've made it easy for you to try our service, use it for a period of time, and - if you choose - to discontinue. We've made it a risk-free process where you are in control at all times.
We take the risk by offering you a 45-day trial period at no cost. If you're not 100 percent pleased, we'll continue to work hard until you're satisfied. If for any reason you decide the service is not for you, we put everything back the way we found it-no charge. If you choose to continue using AppCentral, you will be billed monthly, still able to cancel at any time.
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"Studies of IT spending consistently show that greater expenditures rarely translate into superior financial results. In fact, the opposite is usually true."
Nicholas Carr, IT Doesn't Matter
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