What Are the Benefits of Cloud Computing for Businesses?

Cloud computing has been considered an effective business solution for many years, yet surprisingly many businesses continue to operate without it.

According to a study conducted by International Data Group, 69% of businesses are taking advantage of cloud technology in one capacity or another. Many businesses aspire to one day incorporate the technology but can be held back by an unwillingness to change with the times and digitally adapt to maintain competitiveness in evolving markets.

There are many advantages of cloud computing, but before we get to these, let’s begin with a brief definition as a foundation from which this article can grow:

What is Cloud Computing?

Put simply, cloud computing involves the delivery of on-demand computing services. Some top industry providers include Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure, SaaS players, AWS, and more.

Companies can rent access to apps, storage, and servers from a cloud service provider.

Cloud-based services are typically delivered over the internet, meaning users don’t have to own independent computing infrastructure and data centres.

What’s the Difference Between IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS?

It’s possible to utilize the cloud platform for nearly all systems and processes. There are three simple ways to describe how you can use the cloud:

IaaS: Cloud-based services like networking, virtualization, and storage, usually pay-as-you-go.
PaaS: Hardware and software tools available via the internet
SaaS: Internet-based software available via a third party.

What Are the Main Benefits of Cloud Computing?

Here are some of the top advantages of cloud computing over conventional IT infrastructure:

Cost Savings

If you’re worried about the cost associated with switching to cloud computing, you’ll be reassured by viewing things from a long-term perspective.

Many organizations are concerned with the initial cost of implementing the cloud. However, the ROI you’re likely to receive will easily cover these associated costs.

Working on the cloud will grant you easier access to company data, which will save you time and money when coordinating future projects.

Also, most cloud-computing services are pay-as-you-go, meaning you’ll only pay for what you use and never be charged for unused data storage space.

Taking these factors into account equates to lower costs and higher returns from cloud-based solutions.

Flexibility

Conventional IT focuses can force you to concentrate most of your attention on computer and data-storage issues. This can take focus away from meeting customer requirements and reaching business goals.

With cloud computing, you’re essentially relying on another organization to take care of IT hosting and infrastructure, which frees up time for you to focus on the core competencies of your business.

Thus the cloud brings significant flexibility over hosting on a local server.

Moreover, you can easily get extra bandwidth as and when you need it, where cloud-based services can flexibly meet necessary demand.

Better freedom and flexibility can drastically improve organizational efficiency.

Security

Contrary to popular belief, cloud-computing solutions are closely monitored for security purposes.

Though it’s natural to fear the unknown, your files, programs, and other data will be closely monitored. In fact, a cloud host’s security is likely to be more effective than in-house systems, especially when it’s the full-time job of the host to safeguard the information it stores.

Internal data theft will become a thing of the past, as part of a process where sensitive information is usually safer offsite.

Cloud hosts are also better equipped to meet government compliance requirements, where data-encryption is a small fraction of the amped-up security leveraged by top providers.

Cloud users usually have the option to toggle security settings according to what works best given the situation at hand.

Mobility

What’s great about cloud solutions is the ease of access they provide, where data can be accessed on the go via smartphones and other mobile devices.

This layer of convenience can help employees access corporate data on the go, a fantastic way to keep up-to-speed regardless of geographical restrictions.

A great way to keep workers in the loop when they’re away from the office, where convenient access to information can benefit all stakeholders involved.

The mobility cloud-solutions offer can help employees strike up a better work-life balance, ultimately boosting employee satisfaction.

Insight

The old adage ‘knowledge is power’ has never resonated more than it does in today’s digital age.

However, it’s evolved slightly. It seems that today ‘data is money’, where data-driven analysis can help companies reach new levels of productivity.

Nuggets of invaluable, actionable information are waiting to be identified and acted upon, something which can be fast-tracked with a prominent cloud-computing solution.

Integrated cloud analytics can help you translate large volumes of data into authentic value, something which is more easily achieved using a cloud-based storage solution.

Information stored via the cloud is easier to analyse, track, and customize. From the advanced insight gained, organizations can increase efficiencies and better meet organizational goals.

 

Summary

Cloud-based business solutions are here to stay. Though they might take some getting used to, when implemented with a willingness to channel their power, the cloud will benefit users tenfold.

Thanks for reading this article. Hopefully, you have all the incentives you need to embrace the cloud and utilize cloud computing for maximum benefit.

 

If you have any questions or would like to discuss any topics mentioned in this article, please email hello@leapit.co.uk.

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Leap IT is here to take your businesses IT to where it needs to be. We have been delivering IT Managed services throughout Birmingham, The West Midlands and across the UK for over 20 years and on behalf of more than 250 businesses. We work closely with you to really understand what your business needs so that we can make sure you always receive the best advice and achieve the best value.

With a breadth of solutions spanning IT Support, Communications, Cloud Computing and Print we see that you IT is completely covered from end to end.

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