Welcome Networks - Interview

The technology should be pushing your business forward, not holding it back. Give your IT a boost with services and solutions from Welcome Networks.

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Cylex 1. How did you start your company and how are you unlike others?

Welcome Networks: One of the partners was an in-house IT technician for one of the larger Vancouver CPA Firms. With his passion in serving CPA firms and IT expertise, he ended up implementing solutions that made the firm run so efficiently that he found himself hardly working on any projects. Through this situation he realized with this extra time he can setup the same solutions with other accounting firms and ensure the efficiency systems that would promote the longevity of the firms. Although he enjoyed working for the firm he wanted to make sure his skills were being used to help even more firms. With his passion and knowledge, he decided to create his own company to help more instead of being restricted to one firm.

Cylex 2. What is cloud computing, and can it be trusted?

Welcome Networks: Cloud computing is quite a general term. A lot of people don't realize it but using email is "cloud computing". Essentially, cloud computing is using someone else's server to store your data or applications. All your emails are stored in someone else's server that will be on at all times so you can access them at any time by logging into their server. Today, the "cloud" represents the internet network. If you are connecting to the "cloud" from a remote location to retrieve data you will need the internet. That being said, do you trust your email provider? Do you trust online banking? If you do, you already trust the cloud. Cloud computing can be trusted but remember to make secure connections and protect the data you don't want compromised. On your end, that would be protecting your passwords and making sure they are difficult to decipher with multiple character types. Also, make sure your internet connected devices are behind "firewalls" to prevent intrusions. These are just a few of the many ways to create a positive cloud experience.

Cylex 3. What types of services are available via the cloud computing?

Welcome Networks: The most common cloud computing service is email. Trending now is cloud storage - that could be simply storing pictures or documents in the cloud. What Welcome Networks provides are virtual desktops that allow you to access your CPA software in the cloud. There is other cloud accounting tools like SlickPie which is considered a "SaaS" because you can use the software in a web browser. Cloud computing is almost limitless and can provide a multitude of services.

Cylex 4. What is a Virtual Private Server, who can use it and what are its benefits?

Welcome Networks: Virtual private servers are secure servers that you can connect to through the internet. Some people have in-house servers where they store all of their data and software, virtual private servers are those servers but in the cloud. Most CPA firms are starting to use this route but any small to large sized company can use it for their software and data as well. Essentially, virtual private servers allow firms to create a more flexible work environment so their employees can access their software and data for work at anytime and anywhere. An increase in profit through improved operational efficiency and an increase in user productivity are some of the benefits that you are able to obtain through virtual private servers.

Cylex 5. How could a business choose the best cloud accounting package from the ones you offer?

Welcome Networks: It all depends on the amount of storage, applications and number of users that the business needs. The best way is to just know the above requirements and ask which package suits them the best. Because everyone's business is so unique there is no specific answer. By providing us with the information we are able to point you in the right direction. That is one of the benefits of our services; you are able to scale it to your unique requirements. There is no one-size fits all solutions but that allows you to make sure you are getting the best solution that is suited for you. It's like getting your clothes tailored; sure you can walk in a store, try out a few things and get something that somewhat fits you – but to look flawless you probably want to get everything measured to fit your body type. To run at maximum efficiency we try to tailor our packages to suit your specific needs.

Cylex 6. What other IT services does Welcome Networks offer?

Welcome Networks: In 1999 we started out as a managed IT service company – we would fully manage your IT networks remotely or on location. We still provide this but we are starting to see most of those clients move to our virtual desktops services because it is a lot easier to maintain and it cuts capital expenditures.

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