Shifting a business to a cloud computing environment can have countless advantages. While cloud computing is still considered an emerging technology, these on-demand computing services can provide enterprises with strategic value, efficiency and flexibility. When implemented properly, cloud computing has the potential to transform all aspects of business operations.
What Is Cloud Computing?
Cloud computing refers to the delivery of innovative computing resources via the internet. This includes a wide range of resources, such as servers, data storage, networking, software and databases. Instead of keeping files on a local storage device or hard drive, cloud computing enables businesses to save them to a remote database. This allows companies to access this information remotely from any location.
There are several functions of cloud services that are used by small businesses, large corporations, government agencies, nonprofits and even individual consumers. Cloud computing services provide users with useful tools like digital storage, backup, data retrieval, email, video and audio streaming, software delivery on demand and the analysis of data.
Cloud computing is not just a piece of technology, but rather a system comprising three primary services: Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS), Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) and Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS). These main models each represent a unique part of the cloud computing stack and offer businesses varying levels of flexibility, control and management.
Most Important Benefits of Cloud Computing
Many businesses are making the move to cloud computing due to the numerous benefits that this cutting-edge technology delivers, such as improved security, scalability, cost savings and enhanced disaster recovery. Here is a closer look at some top benefits of cloud computing:
Increased Efficiency and Cost Reduction
An estimated 80 percent of companies report operation improvements within the first several months of adopting cloud computing, according to research published by Multisoft. Leveraging cloud computing technology increases the efficiency of businesses through improved accessibility and collaboration, simplified scalability and the ability to drive business growth. Cloud computing also has a positive impact on workplace productivity by boosting data security and recovery, allowing for timely upgrades and creating more efficient remote operations.
Cloud computing can also lead to cost savings. Small and larger enterprises alike are always looking for new ways to save money and switching to the cloud for storage is an excellent solution. Most cloud computing services charge on a per-user basis which means that businesses are only charged based on how many people require access to the cloud. This differs from traditional server setups in which a business pays a flat cost regardless of the number of users. Increased server space on cloud environments is also easier and less labor-intensive which can lead to extra savings.
Increased Data Security
Today, businesses are at a higher risk of viruses and hackers than ever before due to the rapid growth of technological tools and resources. According to Cybercriminal Ventures, cybercrime will cost the world more than $6 trillion by 2021. Businesses are especially vulnerable to these crimes due to the amount of sensitive information that they keep stored in their systems. Due to the importance of maintaining data security, cloud computing providers have made security a top priority.
Cloud computing offers a variety of advanced security features that help ensure that business data remains protected. Innovative security protocols prevent third parties from tampering with data being stored or transmitted. These solutions also help businesses stay in compliance with regulatory agencies. Companies are also able to supplement cloud computing security solutions with their own security measures for advanced protection.
Easily Scalable Measures
Growth is a common goal among businesses in all industries, regardless of size. However, traditional servers are not always growth-friendly and many businesses are forced to use servers that may be too large to prepare for future needs. Larger server sizes can be costly, especially when companies are stuck with an unnecessary amount of storage space.
Cloud computing helps to alleviate these problems by providing businesses with a model that grows as the company grows. In addition, the cloud can be easily downsized if a company decides to minimize their operations. Rather than having a specified amount of space, storage space on the cloud is flexible which allows businesses to scale up or down without added expenses.
Better Disaster Recovery
Downtime can result in substantial financial losses for businesses. Just one hour of downtime can cost a small company $8,000, a medium company $74,000 and a large company upwards of $700,000, according to Datto. This means that large enterprises lose $11,600 per minute of downtime.
Cloud computing provides businesses with fast access to data in all types of emergencies, from power outages to natural disasters. Once data has been uploaded to the cloud, it becomes accessible on any internet-enabled computer or device.
Speak to a Cloud Computing Expert at SeaGlass
Want to learn more about the benefits of cloud computing? Reach out to the cloud computing experts at SeaGlass Technology today.