The cloud. Many people are talking about it and extolling its virtues, but how much do you really know about this pervasive tech trend? One thing for sure is that the cloud isn’t just a technology fad; businesses around the world are moving their data and network to the cloud, and it is now becoming a mainstream corporate computing model.
We’re certainly not into tech fads. We do, however, respect Gartner, the technology advisory firm, for its accurate predictions and comprehensive research. So when they forecast cloud computing’s exponential growth, we know that the cloud is here to stay, and that the sooner you get on board, the sooner you can reap all the benefits it has to offer.
Cloud computing allows even the smallest companies to compete with their much larger counterparts without having to make high-dollar investments. Yet many organizations, particularly small to mid-sized ones, haven’t quite made it to the cloud just yet. Instead, they find themselves grounded while other companies fly right by them. If you’re interested about cloud computing but not ready to take the plunge, here are four compelling reasons why your company should consider it.
Massive cost savings
Hardware and software can be expensive. Not only do you have to shell out thousands of dollars to buy them, but you also have to shoulder the costs of managing, upgrading, and licensing them. You would probably rather invest that money in other areas of your business.
With cloud services, you can avoid huge upfront capital outlays and instead pay an affordable monthly fee, which covers everything from hardware maintenance and software hosting, to regular upgrades and ongoing support. This means a more predictable budget and healthier cash flow.
Another great thing about the cloud is that it saves office space. By using cloud technology instead of hosting your own servers, you can free up real estate and find better ways to utilize this newfound space, or look for a smaller office to save money on rent and utilities each month.
Work anywhere, from any device
Imagine you’re on vacation and you suddenly get a call from your team, asking you to review urgent documents for an important project. A few years ago this was a nightmare scenario. You would have to find an available PC, connect to the internet, access your email, download the documents, save them locally, edit them, and send them back. You would then have to repeat the process if another revision were needed, which could be frustrating, time-consuming, and a blow to your well-earned personal time off.
Cloud computing has changed all that. Powerful, cloud-based applications like Office 365 allow you to easily edit documents, send emails, and take care of any business-related tasks from your laptop, tablet, or smartphone -- even if you're on the beach, in the hammock, or at the lobby bar. With all your data accessible from anywhere via the internet, you’re truly free to work wherever you choose.
More scalability
Cloud computing gives you the ability to expand or scale back resources on demand. This is done by increasing or decreasing server bandwidth, storage capacity, and user accounts, meaning you pay only for what you use.
This flexibility is an attractive benefit of cloud computing, especially when your business is prone to surges or drops in demand. With cloud services, you can scale up or down as necessary without being burdened by expensive add-on payments for software and hardware.
Better security
Security breaches have been grabbing headlines recently, and you have every right to be concerned about the safety of your critical business data. The good news is that the cloud is a safer, more secure alternative to hosting a server in-house. Reputable cloud service providers have stringent security measures and employ the best engineers and technicians who provide the highest levels of protection against malware and service interruptions.
Moving your business to the cloud is a big decision, and it’s best to entrust the job to cloud specialists like USWired. Contact us today to schedule your free cloud readiness assessment and let us help you find the right solutions for your business.
