How often do you hear friends or coworkers talk about storing their data in the cloud? If I had to guess, I’d say it’s pretty frequent. Cloud computing, or “The Cloud” is a buzzword we hear more and more about as our world of technology continues to evolve.
I am sure at some point you have asked and maybe even researched what is The Cloud and why it’s important? And do you know how it’s evolving?
Cloud Computing is transforming the way all of us consume many of our computers and IT services. Whether it’s business or personal, storing data in the cloud gives us many new advantages and benefits that support our demanding technology needs.
But what exactly does it mean, and where does our data go once we send it up to the cloud? Although it may seem like a tricky concept to understand, cloud computing is a pretty sound system that’s easy to use and integrate.
Utilizing the cloud means you are storing and accessing your data and programs (through online servers) over the Internet instead of your local business computers. The cloud is simply a metaphor for the Internet—a secure part of the Internet.
Instead of keeping your data stored locally, cloud computing allows you to use online IT resources with pay-as-you-go pricing.
This can be in the form of computing power, storage, and databases all accessible online. It can also be used for email, disaster recovery, data backup, virtual desktops, software development and testing, analytics, and customer-facing web applications.
So, why is the cloud so important—especially for your business?
Why Should You Care About The Cloud?
Cloud computing not only changes how so many businesses store and access data, but it is also transforming how many of these businesses function and operate.
There are so many benefits to storing data in the cloud, especially in terms of:
- Flexibility & mobility
- Data recovery
- Cost savings
- Low maintenance
- Increased security
If your business has yet to move to the cloud, now is the time to learn and understand how this type of technology can significantly support your company on its path to growth and success.
The Cloud Brings Flexibility
Depending on consumer and customer demands, your business probably experiences fluctuating bandwidth requirements. Some weeks or months are busier than others, which can make IT planning a bit challenging.
With cloud computing, managing all employee devices and resources is now easier than ever before. Storing your data in the cloud means you get to decide what you pay for each month based on what you’re using.
Technology providers who offer cloud computing typically give flexible packages, making it easier for you to add or decrease the amount of storage and bandwidth your business is paying to use.
Also, since the cloud is hosted (and not in-house), you are no longer confined to your desk at the office. Storing data in the cloud permits you to obtain your information anywhere quickly and from any of your devices.
By the way, you can store just about any data from all of your technology systems in the cloud, whether it be your output systems, IT infrastructure, or phone systems.
With more and more of us working from home, mobility is a must. Stop tying yourself down!
Disaster Recovery Is More Promising In The Cloud
As we’ve all learned from the novel pandemic, it’s virtually impossible to prepare for the unexpected. Things happen—and when they do, you need to make sure your data is protected and accessible at all times.
Improved up-time is the result of better disaster recovery in the cloud. A great cloud provider will take advantage of the best enterprise systems specific to your business needs.
In the unfortunate event of a server failure, your data in the cloud will automatically fall over to another server. Long gone are the days of worrying about any lost files or records that are being stored on your unreliable hard drive. How about that for peace of mind?
The Potential To Save Money
Storing all of your data in-house is a cost that doesn’t run cheap. The expenses that come with running, managing, and deploying local IT services can bring much financial distress to a company.
Keeping all business data in-house typically involves very technical IT experts who require high pay to maintain all of your systems and information.
With the cloud, you no longer need to run, manage, and deploy all the technology software and services you and your employees use—so there are significant cost savings to be had.
Lower Maintenance Means Higher Productivity
If operating a traditional server setup in-house, companies must continually worry about the maintenance of the systems to ensure nothing ever goes down.
Not only are maintenance checks necessary, but the parts of these in-house systems always need replacement— as they stop working or become outdated. And the way technology is moving nowadays makes just about anything outdated once it hits the market.
A cloud computing solution dramatically reduces the need for any maintenance. There is no cost or effort required by companies that use cloud solutions, as everything is handled by the office technology provider, like AIS.
Increase Data Security Through Cloud Computing
Accessing and saving all employee and company data in the cloud is one of the best ways to make sure your business information is safe and protected.
Even if a laptop is lost or damaged, the company interface is accessible through another device because the data is kept on the cloud.
And since all documents are hosted and kept on the cloud, there is no concern about losing relevant documents because they were saved on a now lost or damaged laptop hard drive.
Since information is no longer contained on your physical hard drives or servers, it also becomes a lot harder for cybercriminals to steal. With comprehensive encryption and login security systems, company data is much safer with cloud computing.
The Final Say on The Cloud And Your Business
If you’re on the fence about switching to the cloud. Now is the time to shift your mindset. The cloud isn’t going anywhere, it’s actually everywhere, and it’s up to you to keep up with the current technology trends and strategies.
Finding a business technology provider who can walk you through an individualized journey for cloud computing allows your business to grow and take measures to a whole new level. If you’d like to learn more about how we can help your IT needs, talk to us today. One of our biggest goals is to educate and inform you on best practices for your organization so that you’re always prepared for tomorrow. We’re here to give you peace of mind to help you win more business.
