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Q: What exactly is cloud computing? |
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A: Cloud computing is a way of delivering sophisticated software applications to
your devices from the internet. The concept has been around for a while,
but the technology to make it work in the real world is very new. Your device can be a workstation, a
laptop, a tablet, or a smart phone - And it doesn't need to have any software
installed - It only needs an internet connection. This
Wikipedia Article explains more
about the concept. |
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Q: How does NetCIL Online use cloud computing? |
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A: NetCIL data is stored in a Microsoft Access 2007/2010 database file on a
cloud server. NetCIL application software is installed on the same server,
and connects to your data. When you run NetCIL Online, the application
"magically" appears on your desktop as though it was installed there - but it
isn't. It's really being delivered to you in real time over the internet.
You can download a NetCIL Info Sheet here. |
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Q: Where is the "cloud"? |
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A: It can be many places. A virtual server being run by a service like
Amazon, a server that we host and maintain at a secure facility, or on your own
equipment. |
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Q: If I already have a server, can I operate my own cloud? |
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A: Yes! And we highly recommend that you do so. If you have a
reasonably-new server that's running any version of Windows Server 2008, you can
host your own cloud. Non-profits can obtain the requisite software very
inexpensively from
techsoup.org. We're a registerd advisor with techsoup,
and we can assist you in selecting the software that you need. You can
also move your cloud from our equipment to yours - and back again - whenever you
wish. |
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Q: Is cloud computing better than web-based browser systems? |
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A: Yes! Web browsers are great for delivering content and basic data
entry, but they're clumsy and limited in their capabilities when compared to
more sophisitcated software systems. Plus, your data is physically stored
in a place that you can't reach. Newspapers are what we read before we had web
browsers. And web browsers are what we used before we had cloud computing. |
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Q: Can I access all of my data from the cloud? |
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A: Yes. NetCIL Online allows you to quickly download all of your data from
the cloud to your local network any time that you wish. |
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Q: What happens if I lose my internet connection or travel to an area with no
intenet connection? |
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A: You can use the companion NetCIL Desktop applications (which are installed on your equipment) to operate offline - Then you can synchronize your information with the cloud whenever you're reconnected. |
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Q: Do I have to run NetCIL in the cloud? |
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A: No. If you prefer, you can run NetCIL on a single PC, or on your own
private network with no outside access. The internet being the dangerous place
that it is, we wouldn't blame you for doing so. |
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Q: Is NetCIL Online accessible? |
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A: Yes. NetCIL Online is compatible with most major accessiblity systems
like JAWS and Dragon. |
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Q: How much does NetCIL Online cost? |
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A:
If you run NetCIL Online as a cloud service on your own equipment, the cost is
only $900 per year, regardless of how large your organization is. We'll
install and maintain the application for you. If you run NetCIL Online on
our servers, the cost ranges between $900 and $2000 per year, depending on the
size of your organization and the amount of computing power that you need. |
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Q: Can you convert my exisiting data to run in the cloud? |
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A: Yes. And, if you call us before October 1 2012, you'll get free data
conversion and a free trial using your own data. |
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Q: Who uses NetCIL? |
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A: Hundreds of organizations all over the United States use NetCIL. Most,
but not all, are Independent Living Centers, including: California (18 sites),
New York (16 sites), Ohio (the entire state), Michigan (the entire state),
Kentucky (the entire state) Mississippi (the entire state), South Dakota (the
entire state) and the State of Hawaii. |
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