A graphic showing how the cloud incorporates various technologies.

What is Cloud Computing, And How Can It Benefit Your Business?

Cloud computing is often thought of as a huge system that only the larger businesses and organizations can use. But whether your business is large or small, there are some very clear benefits to incorporating cloud computing and technology into your organization.

One of the largest benefits is that cloud technology can help your business to be nimble and competitive, providing plenty of options and opportunities to compete with organizations of any size.

If you’re unfamiliar with the cloud, here is a quick primer:

Understanding Cloud Technology

Cloud computing and cloud technology, in its basic form, is a way to outsource significant IT infrastructure elements. Rather than purchasing servers and software to run your office, you instead pay a cloud computing company to provide these needs on your behalf. Your cloud hosting company provides access to your applications in exchange for a reasonable, monthly cost.

Cloud technology makes it possible to reduce your company’s operating and capital costs while also acquiring additional technology and resources. Let’s take a closer look at some of the ways in which the cloud can help your business:

Potential Benefits

There are several benefits to cloud technology which explain why the cloud is becoming the industry standard for businesses of all size. Major advantages include reduced costs, data security, capacity flexibility, and embedded disaster recovery.

Reduced Costs

Cloud technology provides businesses with affordable, scalable services in addition to advanced infrastructure solutions. This helps in the reduction of several costs for a business:

  • In-house IT departments are no longer required to manage on-premises systems. Rather, they can be refocussed on internal innovation and revenue-generating activities instead of putting out daily fires.
  • Companies can work with improved efficiency and productivity, reducing the cost of labour. Cloud technology is normally intuitive and easy to use, providing updated solutions for employees.
  • No physical infrastructure to be maintained and upgraded. Continuously upgrading physical infrastructure can be a substantial cost for an organization, as can purchasing software licenses.
  • Expensive, per seat software licensing is no longer necessary. Instead, investments can be made in cloud-based software solutions at a low monthly cost—never having to deal with expiring licenses.
  • Companies are able to scale on-the-fly as needed, rather than having to plan and purchase their architecture for their highest potential capacity. For businesses that have intermittently high activity, this can be extremely beneficial.

These aren’t the only ways that a cloud solution can save money, but they are some of the major ways. It is important to note that any size of business can benefit from these cost savings.

Data Security

Cloud computing services offer enhanced security, reducing the likelihood of data loss or compromise. A cloud computing service provider has the resources needed to provide more advanced data protection and encryption, in addition to new artificially intelligent tools that can identify potential risks based on behaviour. With a cloud computing infrastructure, a managed services provider can monitor the network 24/7 for potential data security risks.

Data security is becoming a far more important topic than it ever has been before, as businesses of every size are increasingly being targeted by cybercriminals. Advanced, cloud-based data security suites can stay online and up-to-date, identifying even the most advanced and newest data exploits.

Flexibility

With cloud technology, it’s easier to offer remote work as an option for staff, in addition to enabling BYOD (Bring-Your-Own-Device) policies. Cloud technology can be accessed from anywhere on any platform, including smartphones, tablets, laptops, and other devices. Employees often bring their work home: cloud-based systems empower them to do this safely.

By securing data through a cloud-based interface, it can be protected even if employees are using their own personal devices to connect to the system. This approach uses application-level security rather than device-based security, which is often found to be more effective. The ability for employees to easily connect from home in a secured way will improve upon their productivity.

Disaster Recovery and Backups

Could your business easily recover from IT systems not being available for whatever reason for more than a short while? Cloud-based solutions normally provide comprehensive disaster recovery capabilities. Cloud-based solutions sync data across multiple systems, making it possible to easily re-deploy your data if it’s damaged or deleted. Because your systems are off-site, there is no need to worry about a fire or a flood destroying or damaging your physical data back-ups.

Cloud-based backup solutions often feature one-click data redeployment for easy recovery. The ability to access your cloud platform from anywhere means that your data can remain accessible and your business can remain operational even if a physical disaster or emergency occurs.

Regardless of the size of your business, it’s likely that you can benefit from cloud technology. Cloud technology gives you access to advanced resources at a fraction of the cost of procuring it on your own.

Through cloud technology, you can improve the agility of your business, acquire disaster recovery solutions, and empower your business with more advanced technology.

Are you ready to make the migration to cloud computing? Contact the experts at IDS Systems to get started.