Companies spend large amounts of money developing and installing software to improve their operations. Cloud computing enables your business to access software on the internet as a service. Cloud computing is also a safe way of storing and sharing data.
Your staff can access the service at any time and from any location to complete their tasks. Cloud computing services fall into three major categories that include Platform as a Service (PaaS), Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS). You can choose any of these services depending on the needs of your business. If you are unsure about moving from the traditional way of computing, here are the top reasons why you should move your business to cloud computing.
1. Reduced costs
Establishing and running a data center is expensive. You need to purchase the right equipment and hire technicians to install and manage the center. When you shift to cloud computing, you will only pay for the services procured. More interested in how the cloud can reduce cost in your business? Check out the importance of the cloud to enterprise then.
Providers charge cloud computing services based the features, storage, number of users, time, and memory space among other factors. Hence, you can choose a package that suits your budget and save costs.
2. Flexibility
One of the major benefits of cloud computing is mobility. The service gives you and your employees the flexibility to work from any location. Employees can complete their tasks at home or from the field.
You can reduce the number of workstations in your office and allow some employees to work from home to save costs further. Cloud computing enables you to monitor the operations in your business effectively. You just need a fast internet connection to get real time updates of all operations.
3. Scalability
The traditional way of planning for unexpected growth is to purchase and keep additional servers, storage, and licenses. It may take years before you actually use the reserve resources. Scaling cloud computing services is easy. You can get additional storage space or features whenever you need them. Your provider will simply upgrade your package within minutes as long as you meet the additional cost.
4. No need for a backup plan
Traditional computing system require back up plans especially for data storage. A disaster can lead to permanent data loss if no backup storage is in place. Businesses do not require any such means when storing data on a cloud. The data will always be available as long as users have an internet connection. Some businesses use cloud computing services as backup and a plan for disaster recovery.
5. Data security
Sometimes storing data on the cloud is safer than storing it on physical servers and data centers. A breach of security at your premises can lead compromised data security if laptops or computers are stolen. If you have data on the cloud, you can delete any confidential information remotely or move it to a different account. Breaching the security measures on clouding platforms is difficult. Hence, you are assured of data security. Here’s what everyone should know about cyber security in the cloud.
6. A wide range of options
We have already mentioned the main groups of cloud computing services, that is, IaaS, PaaS, and IaaS. Each of these groups has many sub categories that vary across providers. For instance, if you are looking for software, you will have hundreds of options from different providers. You can choose the service providers with the best features and rates for the service that your business needs.
7. Improved collaboration
Business owners are always looking for ways to boost individual and team performance. Cloud computing is among the most effective ways of improving team performance.
Staff members can easily share data and collaborate to complete projects even from different locations. Field workers can easily share real time data and updates with those in the office. In addition, cloud computing eliminates redundant or repetitive tasks such as data re-entry.
You can improve the level of efficiency, increase productivity, and save costs by moving your business to cloud computing. The best approach is to shift the operations gradually to avoid data losses or manipulation during the shift.
Compare different service providers and their range of services to pick the right provider. Your experience and ability to enjoy the benefits outlined above depend on your choice of a service provider. Ask for referrals from other business owners or conduct a thorough background check to get the best cloud computing services.
See also: Reaching for the clouds – Ten considerations for using cloud tech
