Owncloud
SUCCESS STORY
“MBS INC.”
Ministry Business Services, Inc., a trusted IT consulting firm specializing in helping Christian churches and ministries, is using ownCloud to replace the traditional file server for its growing number of clients.
Who is MBS, Inc.?
The MBS team evaluates, engineers, and supports servers, Mac & Windows computers, and mobile devices connected to local area networks and to MBS‘ private-cloud datacenter. From their datacenter they host email servers, databases, VoIP telephone systems, SPAM filtering, and file storage/ synchronization (file servers). MBS’s datacenter is a rack in the Switch SuperNAP, just south of Las Vegas, NV. The hardware and configuration are fully owned and managed by MBS. The servers are mostly Windows based and running on Dell hardware, all managed by Active Directory.
What challenges led to the search of an EFSS platform?
The workforces that MBS support are often characterized as people who are impatient with technology problems,the full age spectrum,and very mobile.The challenge was to meet their needs simply,reliably, securely (MBS is using Microsoft Active Directory),and inexpensively.
How MBS met their needs with ownCloud
MBS is using ownCloud to replace their traditional file server for a growing number of its clients.While some clients are doing this on their own LAN,some are doing this in MBS’ private cloud datacenter. MBS has created a hybrid configuration adopted by ownCloud to reduce internet traffic in locations with many desktops.In the MBS hybrid spec,desktops connect to a local server that syncs with a hosted server in MBS’s datacenter,while notebooks and mobile devices connect directly to the hosted server.
Each is then able to overcome some of the challenges of a very mobile workforce that uses Windows and Mac Computers.The installable ownCloud Desktop Client and the ownCloud Mobile Apps for Android and iOS makes this quick, secure and efficient.
When it comes to external sharing,clients use ownCloud to create shareable folders via a link to work with outside vendors and volunteers.Most commonly,these files are documents, spreadsheets pictures,videos and PDFs.With ownCloud,file size is no longer an issue; clients can upload any file size and extend storage size anytime.
MBS had evaluated the full range of available solutions and felt that ownCloud could meet their needs best.ownCloud was best positioned to support a private cloud environment with Windows server file shares.
“Only ownCloud combines full data control with easy-to-use filesharing features, while making collaboration more efficient and highly secure.”
Nick B. Nicholaou, President MBS, Inc
” People are excited to use ownCloud. They can get to all the files on the server, share files and there is more flexibility.”
Rob Crockett, Network Administrator, Ouachita Baptist University
What benefits did MBS gain with ownCloud?
In addition to the organization-wide benefits provided by access to files regardless of where they are stored, Ouachita is able to retain control of that data with a solution that is built to meet future requirements. ownCloud allows them to not only accommodate, but embrace the use of multiple devices by users and provides critical access to Windows file shares.The integration with the learning management system allows them to preserve workflows without disruption to end users and further opens up opportunities to expand the use of ownCloud in their online educational offerings. Knowing they have the support and expertise of ownCloud’s technical team as well, ownCloud allows Ouachita Baptist University get back to doing what they do best – providing quality education to their students.
ownCloud is the choice of thousands of organizations across the globe as they look to share files securely, enable access to unstructured data through a single plane–all while maintaining control of sensitive data. Their stories highlight the flexible and secure ways that ownCloud is deployed. We are proud to call them our customers.