To put it simply, cloud computing is a computing based online system, which can benefit your business. Where in the past, people would run programs or applications from software downloaded on a physical server or computer within their construction, cloud computing allows individuals access to the exact sorts of applications through the web. When you update your FaceBook status, you are using cloud computing. Assessing your bank balance on your cell phone? You are in the cloud again. Odds are you rely on cloud computing to address the challenges faced by small companies, whether you are firing off emails on the move or using a whole lot of apps that will assist you manage your workload. In a nutshell, cloud is quickly becoming the new standard. By the end of 2015 it is projected that 90 percent of UK companies will use at least one cloud support.
Here are 7 tips for you to change your business to the cloud.
- Flexibility
Cloud-based services are perfect for businesses with growing or fluctuating bandwidth demands. If your needs increase it’s easy to scale your cloud up capacity, drawing on the service’s remote servers. Likewise, if you will need to scale down again, the flexibility is baked to the ceremony. This degree of agility can give companies using cloud computing a true advantage over competitors.
- Disaster recovery
Firms of all sizes should be investing in robust disaster recovery, but for smaller companies that lack the necessary cash and experience, this can be more an ideal than the truth. This business management system is presently helping more businesses buck that trend.
- Automatic software updates
The beauty of cloud management is that the servers are off-premise, out of sight and out of your hair. Suppliers take care of these for you and roll out routine software upgrades — including security upgrades — so you do not need to be worried about wasting time keeping the system yourself. Leaving you free to concentrate on the things which matter, like growing your business.
- Capital-expenditure Free
Cloud computing cuts out the high price of hardware. You simply pay as you go and enjoy a subscription-based model that is kind to your cash flow. Add to that the ease of installation and management and suddenly your scary, hairy IT job looks at whole lot friendlier. It has never been easier to take the first step to cloud adoption.
- Increased collaboration
When your teams can access, edit and share files anytime, from anywhere, they are able to do more together, and do it even better.
- Work from anywhere
With cloud computing, even if you have an internet connection you can be at work. And with most serious cloud solutions offering mobile programs, you are not confined by which device you have got to hand. The outcome? Businesses can provide more flexible working perks to employees so that they can enjoy the work-life balance that suits them, without productivity taking a hit. One study reported that 42 percent of employees would swap some of their pay for the ability to telecommute. On average they would be happy to take a 6 percent pay cut.
- Document control
The more workers and partners collaborate on files, the greater the need for watertight file management. Before the cloud, employees had to send documents back and forth as email attachments to be worked on by one user at one time. Sooner or later, you get a jumble of conflicting file content, titles and formats. And as even the smallest businesses become more global, the scope for complication rises. According to a study, “73 percent of researchers collaborate with individuals in different time zones and areas at least monthly”.
When you make the transfer to cloud computing, all documents are saved centrally and everybody sees one version of the facts. Greater visibility means improved cooperation, which ultimately means better work and a healthier bottom line. If you are still relying on the old manner, it might be time to try something a bit more streamlined.
