How to Leverage Managed Cloud Services to Future-Proof Your Business

As the leader of a small to medium-sized business (SMBs), future-proofing your company is non-negotiable for remaining competitive through inevitable economic fluctuations and technological advancements.

It starts with assessing the health of your IT infrastructure. Think of this Infrastructure as the vehicle driving your business — it supports your operations, enabling you to enhance efficiency and grow. But if you’re not changing the oil by effectively leveraging cloud technology and managing your systems, that engine will blow, and you’ll be left watching your competition pass you by.

No one wants to get left behind, but you can only wear so many hats as a leader. The good news is you don’t need to future-proof your business alone. We understand that in-house resources are limited, and the cloud expertise you need may be in short supply. Whether you’re already utilizing cloud technology or want to migrate your business to the cloud, a managed service provider (MSP) can help you seamlessly bridge the gap and get back on the road.

 

Cloud Computing vs. Cloud Managed Services

Cloud computing has become a mainstream option for businesses due to its convenience and ability to support rapidly evolving tools like Generative AI (GenAI), requiring highly scalable computing capabilities. Cloud providers, like Amazon Web Services (AWS), provide IT resources on demand via the Internet, eliminating the need for businesses to own and maintain physical data centers and servers.

While it’s a far more sustainable and flexible option than owning a physical data center, cloud technology does come with its complexities. As the use of cloud technology increases, so does the demand for managed cloud services, especially for SMB leaders seeking ways to utilize cloud technology to scale their businesses cost-effectively.

This demand is projected to increase as more businesses utilize the power of the cloud. By 2026, it’s predicted that 75% of organizations will have undergone digital transformations, using the cloud as their foundational platform. According to TechAisle’s 2024 Top Ten SMB and Midmarket Predictions, more SMBs than ever will be “mastering the cloud with managed services,” and IT managers will build strategies that fully integrate these ongoing partnerships.

By 2026, it’s predicted that 75% of organizations will have undergone digital transformations, using the cloud as their foundational platform.

 

Why Partner with a Cloud Managed Services Provider?

With managed cloud services, you get the power of the cloud and a team of experts to manage your cloud-based systems. In other words, all the benefits and none of the headaches. These experts — cloud managed service providers (MSPs) — do the heavy lifting and provide the data management, maintenance, and security measures needed so you can wear one less hat and turn your attention back to other strategic initiatives within your business.  If you haven’t yet made the leap to the cloud, now is the time. Luckily, you don’t need to navigate the migration on your own. MSPs can help with that process, too.

 

Solving Your IT Challenges with Managed Cloud Services

Are you using cloud technology but struggling with high costs, worried about security issues, or lacking the in-house expertise to feel confident you’re leveraging all the benefits the cloud offers? You’re far from alone if the answer is yes to any or all of the above.  Below, we’ve broken down the most common challenges SMBs like yours face and how you can utilize managed cloud services to empower your business with solutions that will position it for success — both now and in the future.

Scaling IT Infrastructure to Meet Growing Business Needs

Scaling IT Infrastructure to Meet Growing Business Needs

With cloud technology, you aren’t tied to a specific infrastructure or on the line for costly physical hardware when you need to scale. Instead, you can scale only as required with pay-as-you-go models designed to meet your business needs as they evolve and prevent you from over-investing in resources you may not need yet so you can scale sustainably.

Managed cloud services keep your business nimble, as new services and applications can quickly be deployed. This allows you to go to market with new offerings for your customers and maintain a competitive advantage.

Ensuring Continuous Operations and Minimized Downtime

Ensuring Continuous Operations and Minimized Downtime

When you invest in managed cloud services, you gain access to experts who can not only fix problems quickly but also prevent issues from happening in the first place to minimize downtime. At Innovative, we have a dedicated team of AWS-certified cloud engineers who provide technical support and guidance on demand.

Disaster recovery and data backup solutions are also included with managed cloud services. In the event of hardware failure, a cyberattack, or a natural disaster, you’ll have peace of mind that your data is safe and that you’ll be able to resume your business operations with minimal disruption.

Maintaining High Security Standards

Maintaining High Security Standards

Speaking of cyberattacks, managed cloud services provide continuous monitoring and extensive security solutions, including encryption and firewalls, to keep your data secure. If an issue does arise, you’ll have access to expert technical support to resolve it quickly. An ideal MSP will offer 24/7 Service Level Agreements (SLAs), so you can rest assured you’ll get timely data monitoring and support.

When cloud computing first started rising in popularity, skeptics voiced concerns over how secure it really was. However, it has become abundantly clear over time that the concern shouldn’t be about the cloud itself, but whether businesses are using the cloud securely. According to Gartner, through 2025, 99% of cloud security failures will happen as a result of business misuse — not the technology.

This is why implementing a cloud strategy that incorporates putting risk management practices in place for your business is crucial. However, many businesses lack the in-house expertise or resources to implement this strategy effectively. The good news? MSPs can also provide cloud consulting services to help you develop a cloud strategy that meets your business’s unique needs.

According to Gartner, through 2025, 99% of cloud security failures will happen as a result of business misuse — NOT the technology.

Managing IT Costs Efficiently

Managing IT Costs Efficiently

Flexibility and adaptability are vital to maintaining sustainable business growth. Not having a handle on your IT costs makes it far more challenging to pivot operationally.  By utilizing the cloud, you’re already saving exponentially by not owning and maintaining physical servers. The savings continue with cloud MSPs taking on the responsibility of maintenance and system upgrades, so you don’t need to invest in additional IT staff or pay for expensive hardware upgrades.

An experienced managed cloud services provider will include advanced tools for automation and management to help you streamline business operations and lower the costs associated with time-consuming IT tasks. As noted above, managed cloud services also provide extensive disaster recovery and backup solutions, which reduces the chances of IT failures and system downtime — both of which are incredibly costly in terms of lost productivity and the resulting decrease in revenue.

Keeping Up with Technological Advancements

Keeping Up with Technological Advancements

Managed cloud services provide SMBs with access to the latest technology, including AI and advanced performance monitoring, to analyze trends and increase efficiency. The result is a cost-effective option for having an up-to-date IT infrastructure that provides a foundation for continued innovation and growth and gives your business a competitive advantage.

At Innovative, our managed cloud services provide our customers with AI-driven cloud management with integrated GenAI chat functionality to streamline support and management processes as you scale your business. We also utilize IBM Instana to provide in-depth cloud performance monitoring to ensure our customers are leveraging the full potential of the cloud.

Set Your Business Up for Long-Term Success in the Cloud

Managed cloud services play a critical role in ensuring that your business will not only survive but thrive as technology evolves at a break-neck pace and the economy continues to fluctuate. By partnering with a cloud managed service provider, you gain access to expertise that enables you to adapt quickly to changes and leverage the cloud in a way that makes the most sense for your business. It’s a partnership that allows you to remove the complexities of IT management from your plate of duties and focus on core strategies and innovation so your business will be prepared to handle whatever the future holds.

As an AWS Premier Tier Services Partner with over 30 years of technology experience, Innovative Solutions has mastered the science of meeting people where they are with the tech-driven solutions they need. Our AWS Small and Medium Business Services Competency and extensive cloud expertise position us to help businesses like yours successfully migrate and manage their IT infrastructure in the cloud. Take the next step to leveraging the cloud for your business, and learn more about our Managed Cloud Services.

About Innovative Managed Cloud Services

Want to learn more? Contact us today.


Innovative Solutions and IBM Collaborate to Bring IBM Software to Customers via AWS Marketplace

Innovative Solutions to open new office in Boca Raton, Florida with professionals skilled in watsonx to support expanded collaboration

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (May 6, 2024) – Innovative Solutions today announced an expansion of its collaboration with IBM to bring Generative AI (GenAI) solutions, AI-infused managed security services, and an AI-infused observability platform for cloud-based applications and businesses to customers. Available on AWS Marketplace, customers can more easily access offerings developed by Innovative Solutions that embed IBM technology such as watsonx, IBM’s AI and data platform with AI assistants, to help modernize their business.

Through this expanded collaboration, Innovative Solutions will work with IBM to deepen its expertise and skills on watsonx to help scale AI adoption among small businesses (SMBs). Innovative Solutions also plans to open a second headquarters in Boca Raton, Florida on May 1, 2024 and is projected to add up to one hundred new jobs by 2026 with emphasis on SMB digital transformation. “Our services combine best-in-class software from IBM with best-in-class cloud infrastructure from AWS, providing real-time value that can’t be found anywhere else,” says Justin Copie, CEO of Innovative Solutions. “We’re already based on the East Coast, and are excited to bring more jobs to Boca Raton, which has a rich history in technology.”

“In selecting Boca Raton as the location for this corporate headquarters, Innovative Solutions joins more than 500 other corporate headquarters in the county, strategically aligning itself with Palm Beach County’s thriving tech sector comprised of 2,000 technology companies. Positioned within the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence, we anticipate Innovative Solutions with long-term growth and innovation from its new location in Boca Raton,” said Kelly Smallridge, President and CEO, Business Development Board of Palm Beach County (BDB).

The core products Innovative Solutions will focus on for SMB clients include:
Innovative TailwindsInnovative Tailwinds, designed to help organizations rapidly drive business efficiency and growth through Generative AI technologies with IBM watsonx, as well as Amazon Bedrock, Anthropic, and Cohere. Learn More
Managed Security ServicesInnovative Managed Security Services, leveraging IBM security technology deployed on AWS infrastructure such as EKS, EC2, and purchased through the AWS Marketplace. Learn More
Innovative MAPInnovative MAP, leveraging IBM Instana and AWS data transfer and migrations technologies, to monitor and effectively manage workloads as they move onto AWS. Learn More
Managed Cloud ServicesManaged Cloud Services to help customers with Infrastructure Observability using IBM Instana, supported by access to expert engineers — discounted on AWS services. Learn More

MacStadium Logo

MacStadium, a private cloud services provider and SaaS leader that delivers cloud solutions to simplify Mac for business, recently partnered with Innovative Solutions to build and test a new virtual assistant enabled by IBM watsonx Assistant and underpinned by Amazon Bedrock.

“The IBM and AWS collaboration offered a unique combination of leading AI, cloud, infrastructure and open-source technologies that enabled us to scale AI workloads quickly. With our new AI Assistant, we will be able to have an ‘expert’ available to help developers in the moment they need it. Early implementation has led to an increase in staff efficiency and enhanced implementation speed, and we’re excited to continue to scale how we embed AI across our operations,” explains Chris Chapman, Chief Technology Officer at MacStadium.

“Enterprises of all sizes are searching for impactful and trustworthy AI-powered solutions to help modernize their business,” said David La Rose, general manager, IBM Ecosystem, Sell. “Through our collaboration with Innovative Solutions, we’re helping develop the deep expertise of a trusted partner to scale adoption of watsonx on the AWS Marketplace and our portfolio of AI and hybrid cloud offerings with clients on multiple environments. It’s a prime example of meeting clients where they are through the power of the IBM Ecosystem.”

As Innovative continues to focus on providing the best customer outcomes, it all comes down to keeping customer needs at the forefront and finding solutions to meet those needs. “Collaborating with IBM and AWS helps us flip the script on managed services, giving our customers the power of IBM watsonx AI and data platform and AWS AI in a highly secure, managed way that allows them to expedite their growth,” says Copie.

About Innovative Solutions

Innovative believes that every company will become a technology company, and we’re here to help. Recognized as an AWS Premier Tier Services Partner. With an army of cloud experts and the Innovative Cloud Runbook utilizing leading cloud technologies, Innovative gives businesses of every size the confidence to grow in the cloud with generative AI, application modernization, cloud migrations, AWS cloud hosting and resale, managed cloud services, cloud cost optimization, cloud security monitoring, and IT consulting.

Want to learn more? Contact us today.


Managed GenAI is here and Innovative is leading the pack with Tailwinds ChitChat and MDS

We are excited and immensely proud to unveil Managed Service for Generative AI –  MDS (Managed Data Services). MDS is our commitment to innovation and excellence in the realm of AI-driven data management. At Innovative Solutions, we recognize the transformative power of AI and the critical need for streamlined data services.

MDS is engineered to transform small to medium-sized businesses and startups, giving them a formidable tool to propel their growth and solidify their competitive edge in the market.

Empowers SMBs and Startups on Their GenAI/Data Journey

Envision your business, confidently launching sophisticated AI applications, diving deep into BI reporting, and fine-tuning ML models. MDS equips you with the assurance that your data infrastructure is not just robust but also scalable, evolving effortlessly with your burgeoning ambitions.

Crafting Your Data Narrative

Businesses have unique requirements, and MDS is structured to meet an organization where they are in their life cycle. Our tiered approach—Good, Better, Best—is designed to mirror the unique chapters of your business’s growth story.

Whether you’re establishing the foundation with our essential services or scaling new heights with advanced capabilities and committed support, MDS is crafted to align with your expansion, smoothing out the traditional bumps of scaling data pipeline teams and tools.

MDS navigates the complex web of data integrations with finesse, enabling you to focus on steering your business’s core operations. More than just a managerial tool, MDS is an engine for innovation, powering strategic decision-making with actionable data insights. This strategic approach doesn’t just sustain your business but launches it into new territories of innovation and value creation.

IBM + AWS, best in breed, and nothing less

MDS brings together the capabilities of IBM and AWS, providing SMBs and startups with a solution that stands out in the market for its reliability and scalability.

IBM’s time-tested expertise in complex data analytics merges with the dynamic, expansive cloud infrastructure from AWS to deliver a service that’s fast, flexible, and future-proof. This integration means that MDS users gain instant access to the best of both worlds: robust analytics and machine learning tools from IBM, and the vast computing resources of AWS.

It’s a combo that accelerates the path from data to actionable insights, ensuring our customers can react swiftly to market changes and business opportunities.

Our commitment materialized: Tailwinds ChitChat Managed Services AI Assistant

Tailwinds ChitChat

ChitChat is a free service to all Innovative Managed Services customers, including MDS.

ChitChat has a number of key features tuned for our Managed Services customers….

  • Access to a number of documentation sources such AWS Docs, HIPAA and PCI requirements.
  • ChitChat has the ability to create architecture diagrams, step by step workflow diagrams
  • Access to tools like Email so you can say “write me a step by step workflow and email it to Joe”.
  • Integrates with Innovative NOC and SOC teams so you can directly open tickets summarizing your conversation or need for assistance.

Over time, we plan to build out multiple integrations with other Innovative Managed Services technologies such as monitoring systems, CI/CD pipelines and more. Creating connective tissue for our customers in one package.

 

A Trusted Ally in Your Digital Voyage

As an organization evolves their of AI and BI objectives, Innovative MDS becomes an integral part of your team.

Innovative views this new offering as a partnership that empowers SMBs and startups to harness the full potential of Generative AI without the overhead of managing complex data infrastructures.

It’s a commitment to enabling growth, fostering innovation, and ensuring that our clients are not just keeping pace with the advances in AI and data analytics, but are setting the pace themselves. Join us as we embark on this exciting journey, redefining the possibilities for businesses in the AI era.

 

Learn more about our Generative AI service, Tailwinds

Tailwinds Powered by Anthropic

Fusing state-of-the-art AI technology and innovative machine learning, Tailwinds transforms your data into actionable insights, accelerating your digital transformation journey.  Learn more

Innovative Solutions Launches Cutting Edge Managed Service Offerings for Amazon Web Services Customers

Best in class managed services align to the needs of growing cloud businesses.

ROCHESTER, NY, April 5, 2021 – Innovative Solutions, a leading Amazon Web Services Premier Consulting Partner, announced today the launch of three new AWS Managed Cloud Services offerings. Unlike alternatives, these offerings are focused on providing customers with choices that fit their business needs as they leverage cloud-based services. Backed by a team of 100% AWS certified cloud experts, small and medium-sized businesses can select the cloud support offering that aligns to their business needs.

Starting today, the three new offerings from Innovative Solutions are:

Innovative MCS Tier Offerings

The three managed service offerings include access to curated technology and tools that are fully integrated into AWS, including:

  • The Innovative iNOC for 24 x 7 x 365 support
  • New Relic, for application performance monitoring
  • CloudCheckr, for cost analytics, cost savings and optimization, security, and compliance
  • Cloud Storage Security, for cloud storage antivirus scanning
  • SecureCloudDB, for cloud database security monitoring
  • Skeddly, for cloud automation
  • PagerDuty, for alerting and escalations
  • Emergency cloud engineering support

 

Learn More
Innovative Solutions believes that every company is a technology company. As the fastest growing AWS Premier Partner, Innovative Solutions helps customers in more than 240 cities throughout North America. With an army of cloud experts leveraging the Innovative Cloud RunbookTM, Innovative Solutions gives businesses of every size the confidence to grow in the cloud.

Justin Copie

Justin Copie, CEO

“Managing a cloud environment is complicated. Our entire business is designed to lessen the burden on the business owner’s shoulders and help them recognize the power of the cloud. Managed Cloud Services are the number one enabler to achieving this goal. More businesses have selected AWS than any other cloud provider, and hundreds of small and medium-sized businesses are selecting Innovative Solutions as their partner of choice to help them buy, optimize, and secure their AWS environments in the cloud.”

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