Complete Cloud Based services

[ctbjs]

Good afternoon all,

 

We are in a position currently where discussion is taking place with regards to moving all our services into the cloud. This includes servers, telephony, MIS and all data etc:

 

1. Has anyone out there gone completely cloud based and if so what have you considered to be the pros and cons in doing so.

 

2. How did the transition go and do you have any recommendations on what to adopt and what to avoid?

 

3. Are there additional cost implications over that of having an onsite setup?

 

4. What additional training requirements would you consider to be useful prior to, during and after successful transition?

 

5. Are there any systems that you simply would not put into the cloud?

 

6. How do you deal with legacy applications or is it simply a case of finding more up-to-date or appropriate cloud based applications?

 

7. Have you had to deal with downtime through internet outages and do you have built in contingency for this?

 

8. What, if any , are the security vulnerabilities you have experienced either during the setup process or whilst in full operation (ie cached credentials, theft of devices etc)?

 

9. Are you using MFA and if so how is this being handled by staff and students are they easily following the guidance

 

These are just a few of the many questions we will no doubt have but it would be good to touch base with a School/College/Academy that has gone down this route already and is willing to share their experiences with us and perhaps even meet for chat about it, preferably on your premises so that we can see it in action... (we will provide the custard creams (other biscuits are available))

 

regards

 

Chris

[supportman]

We've moved most services over the last 5 years including: Email, Office, Sharepoint Files, Bromcom MIS, Evolve trips, Digital signage, Library system, Parents evening bookings and many more.

 

1) Pretty much yes. Only onsite now is our Domain controllers, smoothwall, cashless catering and print server.

2) Very well, so much better and more modern than onsite

3) Not really, budget has stayed very similar

4) No real training, transparent to the user. Although I have done some Azure technical training myself

5) Domain controllers for now, but hoping to move to Azure AD one day

6) Got rid of most of them, particularly when we moved our MIS to the cloud.

7) Nope, we have a pretty solid BT fiber line and a backup VDSL if needed that can be switched to quickly.

8) No security issues really

9) Yes we use MFA for staff but not students

Edited March 1, 2022 by supportman

[Ditto]

Lot's useful insights at https://blog.theserverlessschool.net/

[jblackburnHWGA]

Have a look here Ed Tech (ed-tech.education)

 

They also have showcase events which can be very useful if the example schools fits yours Showcase Events (ed-tech.education)

 

I will say its a long process to move we've been doing it since early 2019 now and are only just at the end of our journey. It involves a lot of change