Cloud computing is changing the ways businesses use, access, and pay for IT services. That’s because the cloud offers a wide range of benefits while also lowering costs. Cloud computing can give your enterprise increased flexibility and scalability while leading to greater collaboration, better security, and many other advantages. Cloud services are often managed by IT services companies for the best results.
Here, we examine 11 benefits of cloud processing. Keep reading to learn what the cloud can do for your business.
Lower Overhead Costs
The most immediate benefit of utilizing cloud processing power is lower overhead costs. Cloud computing means you don’t have to pay to house, update, and maintain servers and other networking hardware.
Instead of investing in large servers that require space, energy, and frequent care, you simply pay for the remote data storage and processing power you need to properly run your applications, database, and other systems.
Lower Labor Costs
Along with lower overhead costs, cloud computing allows your enterprise to save on labor costs as well. Software updates, hardware updates, and other maintenance of servers and network computers require around-the-clock attention. That means you need to pay an IT staff to provide that service.
For many small businesses, this can mean the decision between hiring another member of your core staff or hiring an IT specialist to maintain your servers. Shifting to cloud-based computing can help your company save on labor costs and hire staff that can more effectively help you carry out your mission statement.
A Secure Backup Strategy
Using cloud-based computing does more than just save your business money—it can actually help you employ a secure backup strategy. Most businesses don’t have the time, resources, or computing power to implement a proper backup strategy. This means most businesses would be in real trouble if a systems failure, cyber attack, or natural disaster wiped out their data.
Cloud processing power offers your business the ability to make automatic, frequent data backups that are saved online. Many cloud processing providers offer geo-redundant backups. That means your data is stored on multiple servers at different physical locations.
Data Recovery
Along with a solid backup strategy, cloud computing makes data recovery much easier in the case of loss or disaster. Data loss can occur in a number of ways—a power outage, a natural disaster, or even a systems crash. Regardless of how it occurs, your primary goal is to get your systems back up and recover all your lost data.
Cloud-based data storage allows you to store your data on servers in multiple locations. Meaning data recovery is much easier should the worst happen.
Greater Processing Power
The processing power of the cloud is massive. The very nature of cloud computing is a pooling computer resources that uses geographically distributed servers and networking power to store, process, and secure your data.
In other words, even a small one person operation can have access to large scale data processing power—all by tapping into the cloud.
Cloud computing can even offer parallel processing wherein multiple microprocessors simultaneously break up and run program tasks or other operations to perform complex computations quickly and efficiently.
For most companies, these operations would be too cost prohibitive to be effective. However, cloud processing power offers a viable option that allows for complex processing at a much lower cost.
Easier Accessibility
Internal, self-contained networks often require physical proximity for access. Meaning, you and your staff need to be on-site to access your systems. Cloud computing gives your better access to your important applications and data.
With the cloud, you have access to your data, applications, and other systems from virtually anywhere. You and your staff will have access to your entire system from a laptop or mobile device.
Improved Collaboration
Improved collaboration is another key benefit of using cloud processing power. Cloud processing allows your team to work across locations—sharing, working on the same files, and collaboration between staff and contractors becomes simple and streamlined.
What’s more, the improved collaboration will make your enterprise more efficient and cost-effective. Companies with cloud-based networks often see their tasks getting done quicker and mistakes minimized.
Reduced Energy Consumption
Data centers are massive drains on energy. According to IBM, costs for traditional in-house data centers have risen by 800% since 1996—and there isn’t an end in sight to this increase. This not only drains your company of valuable resources, it increases the carbon footprint of your entire enterprise.
Cloud computing allows you to share the costs and consumption of energy. Large-scale cloud computing centers use less energy for the same computing power than individual data centers. The shared model saves on energy costs and can even lower your total energy consumption.
Meet Fluctuating Demands of Use
The great thing about cloud processing power is that it’s there when you need it most. Many businesses experience drastic fluctuations in required processing power. You may only need minimal processing power during slow periods, and during peak busy times you may require substantially more.
If you use an in-house network, that means you’re required to house enough servers to deal with peak processing requirements. But you may only need this much processing power a few times a year.
Cloud computing allows you to use the processing power you need when you need it, and without having to pay for peak processing power when you don’t need it.
Automatic Software Updates
Updates can be time-consuming and costly, but the up-to-date software allows you to take advantage of the latest technological advancements and provides better security features. Your cloud service provider should include software updates as part of their service. Upgrades and updates mean your systems and applications will always be current.
Increased Security
Cloud computing offers better security than traditional, legacy servers that are housed on-site. Regular software and security updates are an important part of a security routine. What’s more, cloud service providers invest more in their security than small, private companies. That’s because they rely on trustworthy, dependable service as part of their business model.
Cloud Processing Power Offers Many Benefits
As you can see, the cloud offers many benefits for your company. Cloud-based companies enjoy better processing power, increased security, automatic updates, a reduced carbon footprint, and a more streamlined communication process. These are just some of the many benefits you get by utilizing cloud processing for your company.
Contact us today to learn more about the cloud and what it can do for your business.
