Cloud computing is all the rage because it allows businesses to get on-demand software and pay for capacity as they need it. Cloud-based software has one major flaw though. All that data is stored online. If the software provider or the Internet is not available, there goes the software and your data. Robbie Garner, president of Atlantic Computer Services, has started offering a product line that combines cloud computing with on-premise to provide a hybrid solution.  

“The benefits of cloud computing without having to be tied to the cloud,” Garner said. 

The aptly named “Intel Hybrid Cloud,” is a combination of specially designed servers and software provided by Intel and only available via approved managed service providers, such as Atlantic Computer Services. Once the server is installed at a business, the customer has access to subscriptions to a wide range of software, Garner said. On the Intel Hybrid Cloud website there are lists of software available including Business Applications, Healthcare Applications, Email/Collaboration/IM, Database, Firewall/Unified Threat Management (UTM), Back-up, Remote Management, Disaster Recovery and VoIP-PBX.  Garner explained, that all of the software is licensed per user , per month, so businesses can scale their usage based on need.   The customer data however is kept locally and the software will continue to work if Internet access is interrupted. 

Garner said that this option is more palatable for many customers,  because small companies are very wary of the cloud.

“They ask, ‘where is my data?’” he said.  This solves their concerns.

“I think the whole industry is moving toward cloud computing. I think Intel sees a niche where they can offer the services. As a Microsoft Service Provider Licensing Partner (SPLA), we are able to offer Microsoft licensing in our cloud environment, but you are all in the cloud, with this hybrid cloud, we can give you the same thing with a local component,” Garner said. 

Prior to the Intel Hybrid Cloud, he was limited to the number of cloud software options he could offer.  

“We do some cloud hosting,” Garner said. “In my hosting environment I could offer Quickbooks hosted, but it was not cost effective.  With this program, Quickbooks is available to my customers.” 

The software runs on specific servers provided by the service providers.   According to Intel, several server options are available, with configurations from Lenovo and Brite Computers.

iPod drives up auction bids for fundraising

A silent auction is pretty standard fare at most charity events. Normally, participants just write their name on a sheet of paper next to each item to bid.  This year’s 20th annual Coastal Classic Celebrity Golf Tournament will include a new digital bidding system to replace traditional paper based bidding during the New Hanover Regional Medical Center Foundation’s Friday night kick-off event. 

The silent auction will be held using new wireless auction technology, BidPal, which allows participants to place bids and track competing bids in real time using an iPod Touch provided to them for the event.   

“You can mingle with your friends without having to circle around your auction,” said Jamie Thompson, NHRMC Foundation’s special events officer. The iPods are provided by the company, Thompson said.

“They come in and replace the entire wireless network to ensure that you have no loss of service during the event.”

The system works by using a special application installed on the iPod. The application takes bids, notifies users when they have been outbid, shows auction items, allows them to purchase raffle tickets and directly donate to the non-profit. 

“On the screen we can add sponsors logos, so it is a great way to recognize the sponsors who make the tournament possible,” Thompson said.  

After the event, organizers can review the data collected by the application including what items drew the most bids, when did bidding peak that night, who bid on the most items and which items had the most traffic.

“It gives you really good insights when you are planning an auction,” she said. 

While researching the system, Thompson spoke to other non-profits that have run auctions using BidPal. “[They said,] on average, on a paper bid sheet, they were seeing two to four bids. On the BidPal, they are seeing three to four times the bids on average,” she said. 

Thompson expects the system to be a big hit. “We reserved 300 iPods for that night,” she said.  “We expect to have over 400 people at the event.” 

To assist patrons with the device and make sure no one takes it home accidentally, the event organizers will have about 20 volunteers on hand. 

The fundraiser will kick off on Friday, May 4 with a casual golf outing at the Pete Dye Course at the Country Club at Landfall and the silent auction will be held that night. The tournament will begin on Saturday, May 5 at 9 a.m. at the same course and will conclude with an awards ceremony and dinner at the Landfall Hampton Inn & Suites with entertainment by Nashville recording artists, The Mulch Brothers. 

Social packages are available for those who would like to attend the party, but are not able to participate in the tournament.