Advisory Services Article: Security is Still Your Responsibility in the Cloud

Over the next 14 months, 80 percent of IT budgets at organizations throughout the U.S. will go to cloud computing services, according to a new global study from Intel Security. As sensitive data is moved to the cloud, it is becoming more obvious that the cloud still has its risks. According to the study, only 13 percent of IT security professionals completely trust public cloud providers to secure sensitive data, and 66 percent of them believe senior management does not completely understand the risks of storing sensitive data in the cloud.

When assumptions are made about cloud security, some risks are overlooked. Organizations need to be aware that encryption and redundancy are not enabled by default in the cloud, and access to cloud resources still needs to be managed.

The biggest infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS) cloud is Amazon Web Services (AWS), which hosts big hitters like Netflix, Expedia and Adobe. Other players like Microsoft’s Azure and Rackspace are also great solutions and are catching up, especially among small and medium-sized organizations, but AWS’s documentation is easier to follow and better organized.

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Bill Gogel is an IT Audit Manager at Brown Smith Wallace, where he is responsible for providing internal and IT audit and IT consulting services to a range of industries, including technology, telecommunications, manufacturing, health care, government and financial services. He has experience providing ongoing PCI consulting and IT auditing services.

Sonata to acquire Premier United States based Microsoft Dynamics Partner I.B.I.S., Inc.

Sonata Software, a global strategic IT solutions firm, announced today that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire the supply chain software and services provider I.B.I.S., Inc. (INTERACTIVE BUSINESS INFORMATION SYSTEMS, INC.). Founded in 1989, I.B.I.S., Inc. has a strategic partnership with Microsoft for the Dynamics solution and delivers world-class supply chain solutions, including its proprietary Advanced Supply Chain Software solution. The acquisition of the United States based IBIS will allow Sonata, aBangalore, India based company to accelerate its footprint globally.

Advanced Supply Chain Software™ powered by I.B.I.S., Inc. is a total Dynamics® AX and CRM supply chain solution designed expressly to meet the needs of modern distributors, manufacturers, and retailers. A winning combination of industry supply chain expertise, world-class supply chain software, and 26 years of successful Microsoft Dynamics® implementations has culminated in making IBIS the preferred Microsoft Dynamics® partner and solution provider for distributors and manufacturers worldwide. The company already serves leading US enterprises.

Sonata’s vision is to provide digital transformation solutions to Retail, Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG), and Distribution companies. Microsoft Dynamics® AX and CRM solutions are being increasingly adopted globally by companies to transform their businesses. Sonata’s expertise, intellectual property, scale, and global presence with Microsoft Dynamics® AX, especially in the retail industry, along with IBIS expertise,intellectual property, and strong local footprint in the US within the distribution industry space will create a powerhouse that caters to Retail, CPG, and Distribution companies globally who want to deploy Microsoft Dynamics®.

Speaking on the occasion, Srikar Reddy, MD & CEO of Sonata Software said, “Sonata has a strong partnership with Microsoft on Dynamics globally. We have a strong footprint in Microsoft Dynamics® based Retail solutions. Together with IBIS, we now have a strong management team, world class Advanced Supply Chain Software™ for distribution companies, a solid referenceable customer base, and a strong and deep partnership with Microsoft in the United States. The marquee customers currently with Sonata and IBIS will both gain from the complementary capabilities we bring to the table.”

Andy Vabulas, founder and CEO, I.B.I.S., Inc. commented, “IBIS is excited to be a part of Sonata, which adds significant scale, a wider geographic footprint, and client base we can now access. We have built IBIS as a company over the past 26 years and believe my team and I have the right partner in Sonata to achieve our vision of a global scale Dynamics organization. Our clients, products, and services will gain from the rich engineering and delivery capability that Sonata has in the Microsoft Dynamics® portfolio. I’m sure this acquisition will enhance our product reach as we will be capable of delivering enhanced services while reaching many more clients globally. Our customers will benefit from the depth and breadth of the products and services that a global company like Sonata brings to the table.”

About Sonata Software

Sonata Software is a global IT services firm focused on catalysing transformational IT initiatives of its clients through deep domain knowledge, technology expertise and customer commitment. The company delivers innovative new solutions for Travel, Retail & Consumer Goods and Software Product Companies by integrating technologies such as Omni-channel commerce, Mobility, Analytics, Cloud and ERP, to drive enhanced customer engagement, operations efficiency and return on IT investments. A trusted long-term service provider to Fortune 500 companies across both the software product development and enterprise business segments, Sonata seeks to add differentiated value to leadership who want to make an impact on their businesses, with IT.

About I.B.I.S., Inc.

Founded in 1989, I.B.I.S., Inc. provides business solutions which enable companies with complex supply chain requirements to maximize their business success. Through a Strategic Developer Partner relationship with Microsoft, the company provides world-class solutions for enterprise resource planning (ERP), customer relationship management (CRM), business intelligence (BI), and application development. I.B.I.S., Inc. specialties include Microsoft Dynamics AX and CRM solutions focused on the supply chain needs of distribution, manufacturing, and retail industries.