About this guide #
This guide is aimed at telling you all you need to know about a MyQuickCloud Managed Cloud Server. Whether you have just subscribed to a cloud server and want to know what to do next, or you’re just looking for some additional information before signing up – this guide should contain everything you need to know.
If you have any further questions feel free to contact us.
In this guide we’re going to go through the following steps: #
- What is a Managed Cloud Server, is it secure and will my applications be compatible?
- How do I sign up to a Cloud Server and what happens next?
- How do I set up QuickBooks on a MyQuickCloud Cloud Server?
- What support do I get with a MyQuickCloud Cloud Server?
What is a Managed Cloud Server? #
A Managed Cloud Server is the ultimate business solution for companies looking to work remotely.
Cloud servers look and feel the same as any other Windows PC you would have in the office, it just lives in the cloud rather than on your desk. Take a look at the video below describing the difference between using your own on-premise PC as a host, and using one of our managed cloud servers.
So imagine you had an in-house IT team managing a machine that everyone can access remotely; it’s backed up everyday, and can be upgraded in an instant as your business grows. Now just remove the ongoing cost of an IT team and the initial investment of a server! Everything is taken care of by MyQuickCloud.
How secure is a MyQuickCloud Cloud Server? #
We take the privacy and security of your data very seriously, for further detail on our security please see below.
Your Cloud Server will run on either Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2 or Windows Server 2016 depending on your requirements and will be hosted in the secure, trusted, Amazon Web Services (AWS) environment. The exact data centre will be chosen depending on your location to optimize speed and performance.
The Cloud Server is a dedicated instance solely for your use and isolated from any other instances.
We undertake full backups every night and keep the backups on a 30 day retention period.
We handle all installs and updates of your applications and always perform a full backup before undertaking any changes.
When accessing remotely your data does not leave the Cloud Server. Only the display and user interactions are streamed across a protected 128/256 bit SSL secured connection
MyQuickClouds powerful data encryption technology protects all data transmitted externally. Internally, its privacy settings mean each employee has designated access to set applications and files.
MyQuickCloud uses a powerful encryption mechanism (SSL: Secure Socket Layer) for all data transmitted from one computer to another. Only your computers have the keys to decipher the data, meaning that anybody getting hold of the data would not be able to decrypt it. Therefore you can access your Cloud Server from anywhere – your home PC, from a public network or a shared computer, secure in the knowledge that your data is completely safe.
MyQuickCloud has 128/256-bit Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) encryption built in. All data including screen images, file transfers, keyboard and mouse input and chat text is fully encrypted from end to end. The encryption key is unique for each connection. The access code itself resides on the host computer and is never transmitted or stored on our servers. For this reason, it is impossible, even with the most sophisticated devices, to intercept the data necessary to decode the encryption. Transmissions cannot be hacked or compromised in any way. This technology is used by all secure and payment pages on the internet and is both secure and reliable.
Are my applications supported? #
You can run any Windows Application on your cloud server as long as you have the corresponding licences.
At the initial setup phase of the Cloud Server we will ask you for a list of the applications you wish to have installed and any licence / product keys that will be needed. Our support team will then install the applications for you.
How do I sign up? #
Watch the video below to see how to add a MyQuickCloud Cloud Server to your subscription. Turn on the audio to hear our narrator go through the steps.
How do I know which server is right for me? #
There are several types of cloud server available and you can easily upgrade/downgrade to fit your need.
We always recommend starting with a small server as it is already powerful enough for most usage, and then upgrade when you add more users or applications on your Server.
Here are some guidelines to size up your Server:
Small: Ideal for up to 2-3 users
(1 vCPU, 2 GB, 10GB SSD)
Standard: For heavier applications or up to 7-8 users
(2 vCPU, 4 GB, 15GB SSD)
Large: for enterprise use with more than 10 users
(2 vCPU, 8 GB, 20GB SSD)
Other options are available, just contact us.
I’ve signed up, what happens now? #
Once you have signed up to a cloud server, we will send you an email asking you for a list of the applications you wish to have installed and any licence / product keys that will be needed.
Our expert team of technicians will then set up your cloud server and install your applications. Once it’s ready a new icon will appear in your MyQuickCloud dashboard and the dashboard of any of your users. We’ll also send you an email to let you know it’s ready.
Can I use my existing Microsoft Office subscription on the cloud server? #
Due to Microsoft licensing you are not permitted to use your own existing desktop Office licenses or Office 365 subscriptions on the Cloud Server, If you wish to run a Microsoft product such as Office you will need to purchase the corresponding license through your MyQuickCloud account. Watch the video below to see how to add Office to your subscription.
What’s included in a MyQuickCloud Managed Cloud Server? #
- The Cloud Server is managed and maintained by MyQuickCloud for you.
- We backup your system every night and keep that backup for 30 days
- Available 24/7 directly in MyQuickCloud
- No extra fee any support, including installation of additional apps
- Flexible: you can change your server type overnight
What happens if I need my software updated or a new piece of software installed on my cloud server? #
Easy, just open a live chat with us using the little green ‘Chat Now’ button in the bottom right of our website, or send us an email at [email protected]. If we’re installing or upgrading your software we’ll need the relevant product/license numbers. Our team will schedule the updates/installs overnight and email you when they’re ready.
What happens if I have issues with applications on my server? #
If you run into problems with your application simply open a live chat with us and we’ll happily remote on and investigate for you. Most problems (especially QuickBooks related) we’re very good at fixing right away. However for some applications we may need to refer you to the application’s support team. Our techs are all highly skilled tech nerds and can fix almost any problem imaginable, unfortunately there is just too much software out there to be an expert in it all!
Support #
All our customers get the same great level of support. This is primarily done through our live chat service Monday – Friday 6am-6pm EST and you can also raise a ticket through our contact page or email [email protected].
We aim to fix any issues you may have at the first time of asking, occasionally for complex issues, we may need to escalate them to our 3rd level support team who will schedule a support session with you.
How is support handled? #
The majority of support is done through LiveChat. Our LiveChat system allows us to be more productive and respond to your requests as quickly as possible. It also allows us to easily remotely connect to your computer to resolve issues for you. A transcript of the chat is then available for you to keep and review at a later date.
You can also email us at suppo[email protected] or via the contact form on the contact page.
What if I have issues outside of your support hours? #
Outside of support hours please contact us via email or using the contact form and we will respond to you as soon as possible when our support hours re-commence. We have made every effort to minimise the chances of you requiring critical support by doing the following:
Self-Help:
We continuously update and optimise our self-help sections with new and updated knowledge base articles. The hope is that most issues you find will be addressed here and can be easily resolved without needing to contact us.
Infrastructure Monitoring:
Whilst we do not offer 24-7 support currently to individual customers we do however monitor the MyQuickCloud infrastructure 24-7 and have monitoring in place to alert us to any major problems should they occur.
Cloud Server Infrastructure:
Our Cloud Servers are built on the highly trusted Amazon infrastructure and therefore are monitored and maintained to the highest level to minimise any possible issue and downtime.
Cloud Server Self Help:
MyQuickCloud users with the administrator role on their account have the ability to end users sessions and also reboot the cloud server, this will help you to resolve any problems with hanging or crashed applications / services. Having this facility greatly reduces the chances of needing to contact support.
Still have questions? #
Feel free to contact our support or sales teams, they’ll gladly go through any information regarding MyQuickCloud Managed Cloud Servers.
