Cloud computing has notable advantages for business – check them out below.
Flexibility
Cloud-based services are perfect for businesses that have either fluctuating or growing bandwidth needs. It is easy scaling up your cloud capacity if your needs increase, by simply drawing on the remote servers of your service. Also, if your needs decrease, the service provides flexibility for that. This agility provides businesses who use cloud computing with a significant advantage over their competitors – so it isn’t surprising that IT Directors and CIOs rank ‘operation agility’ as their number one reason for adopting cloud-based services.
Disaster recovery
It is essential or businesses of every size to invest in disaster recovery that is robust and reliable. However, for small businesses that might be lacking in the expertise and required cash flow, this is often an ideal more than it is a reality. More organizations are being helped to buck this trend through the use of the cloud. Aberdeen Group reports that small businesses are two times more likely compared to larger businesses to implement cloud-based recovery and backup solutions that save time and allow the business to avoid having a large up-front investment and receive third-party expertise in the deal as well.
Automatic software updates
The great thing about cloud computing is its servers are not on your premises, so they are out of your hair and out of sight. They are taken care of by your supplier and regular software updates are rolled out automatically – including security updates. That way you don’t need to worry about wasting your time to maintain the system on your own. That leaves you free to be able to focus on growing your business and other important matters.
No Capital Expenditure
There are no expensive hardware costs with cloud computing. You just pay as you go on a subscription-based model that doesn’t use up your cash flow. It is also very easy to setup and to manage, which makes scary IT projects seem much friendlier than they were in the past. Taking the first step towards cloud adoption has never been easier.
Increased collaboration
Your teams can access, share and edit documents from anywhere and at any time, which means they can do more things together and do them better as well. Cloud-based file sharing and workflow apps allow them to update files in real time and on all of the collaborations they have full visibility.
Work from anywhere
All you need to use cloud computing is an internet connection. Most major cloud services offer mobile apps, so you are not restricted when it comes to the devices you can use to access the cloud.
This results in businesses being able to offer their employees working perks that are more flexible so they are able to enjoy a life-work balance that is suitable for them -without productivity having to suffer. One study showed that 42% of employees would be willing to exchange part of their pay for the chance to telecommute. They would, on average, be willing to take a pay cut of 6%.
Document control
As more partners and employees collaborate on documents, the higher the need is to have strict document control. Prior to the cloud, employees need to send files as email attachments back and forth and worked on by one person at a time. Eventually, you would end up with a big mess of conflicting file titles, formats, and content.
With even small companies becoming more global these days, the scope of these kinds of complications increase. One study reported that 73% of all knowledge workers collaborate with individuals in different regions and time zones on at least a monthly basis.
When you move over to cloud computing, your files are all stored centrally and everybody sees the same true version. Greater visibility allows for improved collaboration and this ultimately leads to a larger bottom line and better work. If you still rely on the old ways, it might be time for you to try out something that is more streamlined.
Security
One of the most expensive problems that businesses have is lost laptops. And what is potentially even more expensive than the lost equipment is losing the sensitive data that is inside the machine. Cloud computing provides you with higher security when that occurs. Since all of your data is stored in the cloud, it can be accessed no matter what occurs to your device. Data can even be wiped remotely from a lost laptop so that the wrong hands don’t get access to it.
Competitiveness
Do you wish there was an easy step that you could take in order to be more competitive? When you move over to the cloud everyone in your organization can have access to enterprise-class technology. It also enables smaller businesses to act more quickly than large, established competitors. Since these cloud business applications and services are pay-as-you-go, it allows smaller businesses the ability to disrupt the market and run with the bigger players, while still staying nimble and lean.
Environmentally friendly
Although our business benefits from cloud computing in many ways, it isn’t a completely selfish act to move to the cloud. The environment benefits as well. When your needs for the cloud fluctuate, it is possible to scale your server capacity up or down to fit. You only use whatever energy you need and an oversized carbon footprint is not left.
If you want more info on the pros, check out this from Capita ITPS.
