Having grown up in rural areas where access to fitness facilities was limited, my first visit to a well-equipped gym in the city was a daunting experience. I recognized the treadmills and understood the obvious functions of the stair climbers and stationary bikes. However, I was bewildered by the array of other equipment—pulleys, weights, benches, and a myriad of contraptions, each with little pictures instructing the user. I recall sitting at one machine, trying to figure out whether I was supposed to position my arm under or over a cushioned bar, feeling the pressure as the next person waited for their turn. Then, someone asked, "Are you new here? They offer a free session with a personal trainer." A bit embarrassed but grateful, I made a beeline for customer service. A week later, a personal trainer walked me through every machine and customized a workout plan for me. What a difference that made.
This experience came to mind last year while I was speaking with a client who had encountered a performance issue with their Rock RMS. I suggested they might want to have their IT team check out the performance in Azure. As is often the case in smaller organizations, they admitted they were the IT team and felt overwhelmed by the prospect of navigating Azure. Another scenario I frequently encounter involves database teams being so burdened with managing Rock RMS that they struggle to keep up with IT management, database performance, and compliance issues.
This is where Cloud 9 comes in—to elevate your experience just like a personal trainer would in a gym. But if you’re like me, stepping into the gym—or the world of database hosting—for the first time, or if you simply want to understand the details, I’m here to help clear the fog of technical jargon and help you effortlessly float through the cloud. Let’s explore what using Cloud 9 entails and why it could be a game changer for your church.
This is how Cloud 9 sets you up for success, every plan (there are four) includes:
• Dedicated Infrastructure - A dedicated infrastructure ensures that all server resources are exclusively utilized by one database, greatly enhancing performance, security, and customization. This exclusivity allows for optimal use of resources without interference, while significantly mitigating risks of data leaks or breaches from other databases.
• Google Maps API Integration - Using Google Maps API in conjunction with Rock not only enhances the functionality of Rock but also improves user engagement and decision-making through better data visualization and practical use of location data.
• Spark Donation - All Cloud 9 users will receive Early Access, allowing you to leverage the newest Rock features immediately after their development phase.
• Email Integration - Bypass the need for external services like SendGrid or Mailgun. Emails are seamlessly integrated into your Rock instance, and the cost is included in your monthly hosting fee.
• Real-time monitoring - Real-time monitoring in Azure tracks CPU usage, memory consumption, network bandwidth, and response times continuously, enabling immediate identification of performance bottlenecks or issues as they arise.
• Daily VM and Database backups - Daily VM and database backups in Azure ensure that snapshots of your virtual machines and databases are taken every day. This routine provides a recent restore point, safeguarding your data against loss or corruption and facilitating quick recovery in case of hardware failure, data breaches, or other disruptions.
Some of the questions I know you’ll ask:
1. I’m already hosted in Azure, can I still use Cloud 9? Yes, you can transition to Cloud 9. We will need to migrate your current setup to our configuration. There will be a one-time fee for this migration process.
2. What is the timeline for getting setup with Cloud 9? Typically, turnaround should be within a week depending on your availability to coordinate transition/migration tasks. It will look something like this:
a. Initial Consultation: We will meet with the client to discuss specific needs and details.
b. Migration Duration: The migration itself typically requires 2-4 hours of development time.
c. Overall Turnaround: The typical turnaround time is within one week, provided the client is available to coordinate on transition and migration tasks.
d. Finalizing the Timeline: We will finalize the timeline for migration and transition in consultation with the client to accommodate their schedule and requirements.
e. Transition Management: Careful management of the transition from the old setup to Cloud 9.
f. Training and Documentation: Will there be a need for training or documentation? This will be addressed during our initial meeting.
3. What platform will be used for hosting? Microsoft Azure.
4. Will I still have access to my resources in Azure? We do not allow RDP access to the VM to protect both the client and us from potential crashes and downtime. While we prefer to limit access to the SQL server, access can be granted if a signed waiver is on file. Rest assured that your resources are securely managed to ensure reliability and accessibility.
What’s Next?
Our team, much like personal trainers, is ready to assist you in selecting the Cloud 9 pricing plan that best fits your needs. We offer four distinct plans to cater to diverse requirements. For detailed comparisons of these options, please visit our website here.
If you're ready to alleviate your IT headaches or have any questions, click the button below. We're here to support you every step of the way.
*If you are not currently a client of ours, there will be a one-time fee incurred prior to the implementation of any features.
*Looking Ahead
Next month, we'll unpack the essentials of conducting a system audit.
Database Health Check: Ensuring Optimal Performance
Have you ever considered the health of your database? Much like regular health screenings can catch potential problems early, a thorough database audit pinpoints and resolves hidden inefficiencies, ensuring the digital health and vitality of your database.