Cloud computing has existed for about two years and has helped businesses achieve a competitive advantage over others. Despite these efficiencies, a large group of businesses is still operating without it. Research by the international data group shows that 69% of businesses are already using cloud technology in one way or another, and 18% are planning to use it at some point.
Another study by Dell showed that 53% of businesses using this technology had reported faster revenue growth than their competitors. That shows that most industry leaders, and Tech Savvy businesses, recognize cloud computing benefits, and incorporate it into their strategies. That’s why some of them are taking corporate Azure training to learn more about this technology and efficiently use it to run their organizations and increase their profit margins.
Here are the advantages of using cloud computing in your business:
1. Security
Most companies are concerned about the security of their data when adopting a cloud computing solution. Some shy away from using this option because they aren’t sure how their programs, files, and data are kept. They argue that if they can remotely access their data, cybercriminals can also access them.
That isn’t true because cloud computing uses cloud hosts to monitor data at all times carefully. That could be even more secure than a conventional in-house system where IT experts have to secure the data while doing other things. That makes the data prone to internal theft. That’s why keeping data off-site is much safer.
According to a study by RapidScale, after changing their data storage to cloud, 94% of businesses reported improved security, and 91% said the cloud data made it easier for them to meet government compliance requirements. Cloud technology uses data encryption during transmission and storage in a database to ensure they’re secure. Encryption makes it impossible for hackers or unauthorized people to view your data. Additionally, most cloud-based services also offer security settings that can enable you to add security measures to your data.
2. It’s Cheap
Research indicates that 20% of organizations are worried about the price tag that comes with implementing a cloud-based server. However, if you’re trying to determine the pros and cons of using cloud through price, you need to consider ROI.Cloud allows your company to easily access data, therefore saving money and time in project startups.
If you’re worried about paying for features that you don’t require, worry less because most cloud services charge you for the features you select. That means if you don’t choose other features that cloud offers, you’ll not pay for them. Its pay-as-you-go system also enables you to pay for data storage space that you need to serve your clients and stakeholders. You can get as much space as you pay for and won’t be charged for what you haven’t bought. When you consider all these factors, you’ll realize they result in lower costs but higher returns. That’s why most IT leaders and CIOs used cloud-based applications.
3. Increased Collaboration
Your business most probably has more than one employee. To ensure effective coordination of tasks, you need to prioritize collaboration. It’s needless to have a team that can’t work as a team. Cloud computing can simplify the collaboration process for you.
Through this technology, employees can share information securely on a cloud-based platform. Additionally, this technology gives collaborative social spaces that connect your organization with your employees, thus increasing engagement and interest. Though it’s possible to collaborate without a cloud-based computing solution, it isn’t as effective and easy as using cloud-based technology.
4. Insight
As the world continues to advance, people are increasingly valuing data. Corporates can use data stored in the cloud to find valuable information for customizing their services. They can find this in the millions of bits found in customer transactions. Sifting through this data can be difficult. However, with the right cloud computing solution, you can easily access them.
Most cloud storage can be integrated with analytics to enable you to have an eagle’s eye view of your data. With your information in the cloud, you can quickly build customized reports to analyze worldwide organization information and implement tracking mechanisms. From these insights, you can build action plans and improve efficiencies to meet organizational goals. For example, Sunny Delight company increased its profits by more than 1 million dollars and reduced around $190 000 in stuffing costs through cloud-based insights.
5. Flexibility
Your business can only focus on a limited number of responsibilities at once. If your IT issues want you to spend more time on computer and data storage issues, you’ll probably not concentrate on accomplishing your business goals and satisfying your customer. However, if you outsource your IT hosting and infrastructure to an outside organization, you’ll be flexible and have time to commit to areas of your business that directly impact your revenue.
Cloud technology can give your organization more flexibility in addition to hosting a local server. If you want extra bandwidth, a cloud-based service provider can meet that demand and save you from undergoing the expensive and complicated process of updating your IT infrastructure. This flexibility can significantly improve the efficiency of your organization. Statistics from the InformationWeek survey show that 65% of business owners preferred to move to the cloud because it’d help them quickly meet their business demands.
6. Mobility
Cloud computing technology can enable you to access data via your smartphone or mobile device. With over 2 billion smartphones being used globally, cloud computing can be a great way to ensure your staff access data regardless of where they are. It also enables staff members with busy schedules or who work in the field to stay in touch with other co-workers and clients.
You can give accessible information to freelance employees, sales staff on a vacation, or remote employees through cloud computing. That ensures a better work-life balance. Besides that, it also improves employee satisfaction.
7. Automatic Software Updates
If you have a lot to do, nothing’s irritating, like having to wait to install system updates. Luckily, cloud-based applications automatically update and refresh themselves, saving you from asking your IT department to perform a manual, global organization update. That, in turn, saves time and money. According to PCWorld, 50% of cloud users cited needing fewer IT employees because cloud technology handled most IT-related tasks.
8. Sustainability
The state of the environment currently requires organizations to place a recycling bin in the break room and do more in helping the planet. Real sustainability addresses wastefulness at every level of a business. Cloud hosting is more environmentally friendly and contributes less carbon footprint.
Cloud technology enhances environmental proactivity because it supports virtual services rather than physical hardware and products, reducing waste paper while improving energy efficiency. According to Pike’s study, it’s predicted that energy consumption will drop by 31% by the end of 2020 if most businesses adopt cloud computing and other virtual data options.
9. Loss Prevention
If your organization hasn’t invested in cloud computing technology, then your data is tied to the computers it resides in. Even though this may not seem a problem, you may permanently lose your data if your hardware experiences technical problems. Computers can malfunction as a result of simple user errors, vital infections, and hardware deterioration. Despite your best efforts, this data may be irreplaceable, especially if your laptop is also stolen.
That’s why you need to store your data in the cloud. The information you’ve applauded to a cloud server is safe and easily accessible. That means you can use other computers with an internet connection to access it anytime.
Final Words
Businesses of all sizes, industries, and geographies need to turn to cloud services to store information and data. Cloud technology offers a host of benefits to business owners ranging from cost-effectiveness to prevention of losses. Though it may be a little bit expensive, its ROI outweighs the benefits you’d get from other storage methods.
