Wouldn’t it be great if you had some previous experience of cloud computing that could help you to envisage the sort of benefits it might bring to your business. Well, maybe you’ve had that experience without realizing it. If you have ever had an e-mail account with a web-based service such as Gmail, Hotmail, or Yahoo Mail then you are no stranger to cloud computing. Each of these services is cloud-hosted, enabling you to log into your e-mail account remotely, and precluding the need for a discrete e-mail software package on your computer. In the same way, your business could use cloud computing as a means of receiving total information technology services – data and software packages – via web-based tools and applications instead of through your own server(s).
Adopting cloud computing for your business is easy in itself. After agreeing a relevant service package with your provider it’s just a matter of installing the cloud’s interface software – often as simple as a web browser – on all your PCs and mobile devices, everything else is down to the cloud’s network, and all your people would need to do would be to log on to the service to find all the programs they require to do their jobs.
So how can a move to the cloud make things easier for your business?
- Cloud technology pay-per-use-services are charged incrementally and can dramatically reduce the costs associated with the provision and maintenance of in-house servers, as well as enabling improved financial planning. Your business can scale up or down as requirements demand and pay only for what is used.
- When the cloud starts looking after data storage, a reduction in the level of hard drive memory your business needs will automatically follow. Hardware cost-savings will accrue from this and system efficiency improves when unhindered by large-scale data retention.
- Software updating activity within your business will become a thing of the past as the cloud will update applications automatically.
- Your system users will be able to access their applications with greatly enhanced flexibility from their desks, and anywhere else using mobile devices with an Internet connection. Remote access will also be a potential benefit for partner organizations and clients.
- The standard server and hardware currently used by your business will have a slower response time than that offered by the cloud. Increased user efficiency and easier access is another benefit offered by cloud computing.
- Your business may not number amongst those of Fortune 100 status but the cloud affords you access to the same facilities they enjoy and by paying only for the capacity and tools you need, your potential for competing on a level playing field is greatly enhanced.
- Cloud computing ensures improved continuity of your business activities by storing your data in secure data centers rather than in your server room, precluding downtime from ensuing power outages caused by storms, earthquakes, or the severance of a local power line arising from misguided construction work. All you need to maintain is a healthy Internet connection.
About the Author: This article was written by Stephanie Wagner, a freelance writer blogging about technology and small business startups. Although she is not connected to Deluxe for Business, she can recommend their business services to those seeking helpful advice and tools for marketing their own business.