This blog is a summary recap of our recent webinar "Exploring the BAASS Cloud" a recording can be found here.
Continuing on the topic of How BAASS Transformed into a Remote Workplace with 5 major areas we've addressed in our previous discussion.
- Hardware
- File Share
- Communication Tools
- Sage ERP and CRM
- Security
The focus of this blog is working from home, hosted Sage 300 and the BAASS Cloud. What does it mean? And how can you get access into your Sage 300 files via the web?
What is BAASS Cloud?
The BAASS Cloud is a hosting service offered to take current on-premise Sage 300 infrastructure and move this into the cloud.
What type of hosting is the BAASS Cloud?
BAASS offers Sage 300 in a Private Cloud Hosting, this means you will not be sharing your server with any other companies, and it can be made unique to your business.
Do you need servers for BAASS Cloud?
No, you do not need servers for this at all. We take your Sage 300 software, licensing and data, and we move it into servers within our colocation facility. We manage these turnkey, with quick service support and deliver these applications out to you.
Does this mean I do not need my IT team?
You will still use your current IT staff for all support items regarding your network and computers. However, we do everything for the Sage 300 portion and deliver it down to you.
What are the benefits of the BAASS Cloud?
No longer needing to worry about Sage 300 sever hardware, maintenance, upgrades, and server licensing. Saving money with no more bills from IT and consultants to fix your IT or servers. You also don't have to worry about security concerns like ransomeware or hacking. The BAASS Cloud turnkeys all the solutions wrapped around these into one solution.
Where can I access my data once in the BAASS Cloud?
You can access your data from anywhere as long as you have a computer and an internet connection.
How does it work?
Through a remote desktop, you will get an icon on your computer screen that when clicked will redirect you to the private cloud hosted environment, where you will need to fill in log in credentials. On this desktop you can access your Sage 300 the exact way you would when it was on-premise. Applications can also be added to this remote desktop such as Microsoft Office, file shares, printers etc.; what you need can be made accessible.
Why have companies moved to the BAASS Cloud?
There are various reasons why companies have decided to move their data to the cloud, some reasons are:
- Easy way to add or remove users without on-premise licensing
- Ability to work from home
- Cut down on sever and IT costs
- Upgrades are very simple to do
- It is all turnkey
- Security
- Start-up companies sometimes go straight to hosted solutions to avoid infrastructure altogether
Deployment
How quickly can this be setup?
The implementation of a hosting instance is very quick to deploy from the time that the decision is made. Generally speaking, within three to four days we can have this instantly up and running.
Who installs the Sage 300?
BAASS Business Solutions takes your software licensing and data and installs Sage 300. Lanetco Computer Networks Inc. implements the infrastructure, hosts, and locks it down where they can deliver it up to you.
When it’s time to do an upgrade, how is this done?
Upgrades are very simple, normally we will create a second instance in a 30 day period, and BAASS will install the Sage 300 of the next version. Copying your data over, copy your forms over, doing the conversion and giving you the ability to test it yourself. You will have both environments accessible at both times, and when it is time to flip the switch, we turn off access one night to the old version and then you will be running on the new version.
Can I add a User Acceptance Testing (UAT) and Development (DEV) Environments?
Yes, like upgrades we can create second instances of servers so that you can do that. Normally this is for larger companies (15-25 users) or companies with third party products integrated in their ERP solution; again, you are able to test these things before deployment.
Can I use 3rd party apps and integrations?
Yes, third party applications can be installed. The core of Sage 300 is very simple and easy on this hosting, BAASS installs the core modules and then you can add on additional applications as needed.
What licensing do I have to bring?
The only licensing you need is your Sage 300 licensing. We take your licensing and data and we use this to move your business into the cloud. We provide the server and security licensing; all the infrastructure costs are all included in the turnkey cost.
What about Microsoft Office licensing?
In the hosted instance, we provide the Office licensing on the server. However, we will work with you to cover all options available; if you have something that is valid we will bring that in to reduce costs.
Can I add non-Sage 300 ERP users to this?
Yes, if you want individuals to just file share and things of that nature, they don't need to be a Sage 300 user to get into the remote desktop. We can add additional users that do not have access into the ERP as needed.
Who decides what the environment configuration is like?
Our Lanetco and BAASS technical teams work together with requirements from vendors to come up with templates and designs so we are able to take care of this for you.
Who installs the Sage 300 updates and service packs?
BAASS Installs updates and service packs. If you have a BAASS Customer Care Membership (CCM) Agreement with service pack installation included, then this is done on a schedule. If not, then it can be done as needed.
When is it most common to see companies move to BAASS Cloud?
There are common triggers we see, being:
1. Upgrade time
When customers are doing Sage 300 upgrades and they have to change infrastructure or hardware because of it, that's when they start investigating whether they're better off to put their ERP in our hosted solution of The BAASS cloud.
2. Server hardware refresh time
Similar to above, if this happens our customers often question if is it better to do that or put it into the hosting and compare those two.
3. Ransomeware
When companies have been hit with Ransomware, sometimes they decide they do not want the risk of local hosted ERP anymore.
4. Startups
Startups and net new companies often do not want to have infrastructure and hardware and want everything cloud based. Since they have nothing invested in the history of on-premise they go straight to a hosted solution.
Security
What is the physical location of the data centre like?
Our data centre it a professional tier three colocation facility located in Mississauga.
What is the security of BAASS Cloud Hosting?
The BAASS Cloud has multiple enterprise grade firewalls clustered and a failover together, meaning if any one were to fail they would continue to have to work through the next one. All the hardware on the infrastructure and land side of it (lan switches etc.) are criss crossed in the failover.
Firewalls blacklist all access so nobody can get in, we only allow explicit access via whitelist so your instance and your unique server that is set up just for you. When that is set up we get the IPs from your office, and we whitelist them so that you're able to remote in, anywhere outside of that you can't get in. We also Geo-block all kind of traffic outside of North America, just as an extra precaution.
What is the security software on BAASS Cloud servers?
We integrate managed security, anti-malware, and anti-virus software. We also put in web content filtering software on every server so that they are unable to go out to known bad websites. We install windows patch management and security in an automated fashion, which is completed every week and regularly updated.
What happens if there is a security breach?
We install a managed detection and response tool for security in the event of a security breach. Although we have preventive software, this gives us a plan if something were to happen. This tool also provides us with auditing and is design so if suspicious behaviour happens we are able to lock the server down. It also allows us to go back and audit it to see what exactly happened. This software is developed by the infrastructure and IT support teams that worked at the NSA.
What do you do for the end users?
We lock down the servers, so your users do not have local ADMIN privileges. When you remote into the server you are able to use the applications that are there, however, you are not able to install applications or change anything on the server itself. Each customer has a unique ADMIN password that changes every day.
Can I enable employees to work from outside the office?
Yes, we provide a two factor authentication tool that allows you to work from anywhere you have a laptop and an internet connection.
Am I sharing my environment with anyone?
No, you will not be sharing your environment with anybody else. Every server is unique to each customer. We only create dedicated, single tenant environments. No shared servers.
Support
Where do I call for support? And when?
Anything that has to do with Sage 300 that you would normally call BAASS for, you continue to call BAASS for. Anything to do with connectivity or infrastructure support such as printing and folder access, you would go to Lanetco Computer Networks Inc. for support. Please note that BAASS and Lanetco will transfer over to each-other if you have called the wrong partner.
Scalability
Can I add/reduce users, how hard/quick is it?
Yes, we can add/reduce users, servers, plug-ins, third party applications etc. to the environment and it is a simple process to do so.
Resiliency
Where is my data?
You data is stored within Canada, as mentioned earlier the colocation facility is located in Mississauga. All failover locations are also within Canada.
What do you use for backups?
We use an independent solution vs. the hardware that we have so the servers are one piece, the business continuity is in a completely separate piece, completely separate vendor, completely sperate set of passwords. We do this separation to make sure in the event an area is having an issue the backup solution will not be affected.
How often are backups completed?
We do backups every two hours, keeping 14 days worth of backups locally
and have those saved on two separate infrastructure and hardware. That separate infrastructure and hardware every night sends that data off-site, where it keeps the last two weeks, the last four weeklies, and the last 12 monthly.
That off-site location is in located in Markham, as a completely different colocation facility. That facility then nightly sends the last 90 days worth of backups out to Alberta. We do this to have geo redundancy, again this is enterprise class business continuity.
Describe the hardware redundancy?
We use Scale Hyperconvergence Cluster from IBM/Lenovo. Meaning that there are multiple different physical servers with the data spread across them, so in any event that one physical server were to have an issue, the other servers can continue running it without missing a beat.
How am I protected from ransomware and hacking?
Having those separations, hardware, backups and discontinuity is how we separate and protect ourselves from things like ransomware and hacking. Putting these little areas of separation and having plans in place helps us to ensure we are secure.
As well as having an Information System Management Policy. You need one at your office for Cyber Insurance and many business and vendors require an Information Security Management Policy information form be completed and returned.
Want to learn more about the BAASS Cloud? Contact us.
