6 March 2024

Building a Software Platform for Cloud-Ready and Maybe Not So Ready Companies

By Ronald Smith

I’m Rob Schenk and I’m here to tell you about the awesome stuff we do at Intivix, our IT company based in San Francisco. We’re all about the Cloud and we want to help you make the most of it. See, we’ve got a whole bunch of cloud-based services that we offer to our clients. But, we didn’t stop there. Nope, we went ahead and created our very own solution called MyWorkDrive. This amazing tool lets businesses access their files from either their own servers or the ones hosted in the cloud.

So, why did we do this? Well, it’s all about simplicity. We saw that a lot of our clients were facing problems when it came to accessing their files. And we thought, Hey, there’s got to be a better way to do this! That’s when MyWorkDrive was born. We wanted to make sure that you can easily access your work files without any hassle.

In a recent interview, my business partner Dan Gordon mentioned how our clients complain about all the troubles they face just to get to their files. And we totally get it! That’s why we created MyWorkDrive. We want to make your life easier and help you focus on what really matters – getting your work done!

In the past, I needed to use complex VPNs and syncing software that often caused errors to access my files remotely. A lot of people didn’t want to store all their files on a cloud-based service like DropBox because they felt uneasy about it. But I understood the need for flexibility – being able to access files from anywhere, just like I would in my office.

I tried out many different solutions, looking for the right fit. But everything I found was either too expensive, too complicated, or difficult to keep up with. It was frustrating.

That’s when I decided to take matters into my own hands. With my partner Gordon, we created MyWorkDrive – a simple and direct way for customers like me to access their files from anywhere. It works on both desktop and mobile devices, either through a web browser or using a familiar mapped drive mechanism. It’s the perfect solution!

I wanted to tell you about this cool tool called MyWorkDrive. It’s really neat because it works seamlessly with the security and permissions of Active Directory, which is already set up for all our customers. We didn’t have to start from scratch with that stuff, which saved us a lot of time and effort. It’s simple, targeted, and integrates perfectly with Microsoft Active Directory. That’s where we’re at today.

And you know what? Other MSPs are starting to catch on too! We’ve got our marketing efforts going strong, and now not only our clients at Intivix but also many other MSPs are using the product.

Now here’s the really special part: MyWorkDrive has this awesome feature that’s exclusive to it. You can double-click on a document right from the web, and guess what? You can edit it directly in Office or Office 365! How cool is that? And when you’re done making your edits, you can save it back to your local or cloud-based server. It’s super convenient and makes your work so much easier.

I can open it in Office 365 and search for files on the server, so you get the complete experience without needing to install anything on your computer, I explained. We have a special connector that you can activate, no need to worry about firewall rules or certificates. Once we install the software, which only takes about 20 minutes, your server will be accessible online.

I gave an example of a company with a huge file server, boasting a whopping eight terabytes of data, to demonstrate the impressive capabilities of MyWorkDrive. This company has a lot of employees who need to take photos out in the field, I elaborated. With MyWorkDrive, they can access these photos from anywhere. It even has an indexed search feature, so finding specific pictures is a breeze. Plus, they can upload large quantities of files at lightning-fast gigabit speeds. It’s a great option for them.

I want to tell you about MyWorkDrive pricing because it’s pretty cool. It ranges from $49.99 per month for up to 20 users, all the way up to $1,200 for a license that supports 500 users. But, if you have a big company with even more users, don’t worry! MyWorkDrive offers custom pricing just for you.

But wait, there’s more! MyWorkDrive is also teaming up with Managed Service Providers all around the world. They want to join forces and offer great benefits like partner discounts and internal use rights. Isn’t that awesome?

Now, let’s talk about the other services that Intivix provides. Along with MyWorkDrive, they also offer hosting through Microsoft Azure and Amazon Web Services. And if you’re looking to make the switch to Office 365 or Google for Work, they can help you migrate too.

But I know what you’re thinking, what about the risks and problems of moving to the cloud? Well, Gordon from Intivix has got some wise words. He says that sometimes people just jump into cloud solutions without thinking it all through. It’s important to consider all the consequences, you know?

I’ve come across clients who didn’t take the time to gather proper requirements before switching to a cloud solution, and they ended up being disappointed with the results, he explained. Eventually, they had to go through another migration process with a different provider, only to realize that it didn’t meet all their needs like Office 365 Email does. For instance, they complained about missing the Outlook feature that their users wanted. In the end, we’ve had to redo the migration for clients who had initially chosen other cloud solutions.

Gordon believes that many customers get caught up in the hype surrounding the supposed benefits of the cloud, only to find that they don’t live up to expectations when put into practice.

I don’t think people really know or understand what the word ‘cloud’ means, I said. They think, ‘It’s gonna save me money. It’s gonna make my life easier.’ But when that doesn’t happen, they have to deal with the consequences.

While I believe that the cloud isn’t the right choice for everyone, I do think that certain applications could be helpful.

I’d say there are specific cloud applications that make a lot of sense for companies, I explained. But it’s not for everyone just yet.

I mentioned Office 365 as an example.

A lot of people are switching to Office 365, I noted. It’s a targeted solution that really makes sense, like what emails used to be on the phone.

When it comes to fully implementing cloud-based applications, I believe that as long as we address security and bandwidth concerns, it can be a great strategy. However, if we don’t carefully plan and think through the process, it can easily turn into a disaster.

Now, looking ahead, I must admit that in the next five to ten years, the cloud will probably become even more widespread. However, at this point in time, there are certain businesses that still rely on older systems. Their workflows, training, and knowledge levels haven’t quite caught up to the point where transitioning to the cloud makes sense. It’s a practical approach that takes into consideration where my client companies currently stand in terms of being ready for such a significant change.

I’ve noticed that many companies are rushing into the cloud without really understanding what they need. They’re looking for something similar to what they already have, I hear someone say. That’s why MyWorkDrive is different. It’s not just a cloud-based solution; it also lets you access your on-premise servers. It’s a flexible solution that suits everyone, allowing companies to move to the cloud at their own pace.

If you’re a Managed Services Provider anywhere in the world, I encourage you to take a look at MyWorkDrive. It’s a simple way to generate more recurring revenue from the cloud. Join our partner channel today and see for yourself!

For all Managed Services Providers out there, MyWorkDrive is calling you to explore their solution. It’s an easy way to make extra money from the cloud. You can join their partner channel and start earning recurring revenue. Don’t wait – sign up today!