Ever since the internet was launched in the 1960’s, the way to handle businesses changed forever. No longer were people working on single computers doing their own thing, we started sharing information by sending files across internal networks and even across oceans between geographical locations. The more people working with and on the internet, the greater the demand for it became. The burst of the dot com bubble in the early 2000’s created opportunities for IT Infrastructure Management Outsourcing. Increasingly, businesses started operating virtual networks. One of the best examples of early cloud outsourcing is salesforce.com. This customer relationship management solution brings together all customer information on a website, in a single platform, entirely online, with no extra software needed. The cloud is not just for big businesses, individuals are also using cloud services on a daily basis. If you have updated your Facebook page or checked your bank balance from your mobile phone, you have been in the cloud.
As you seem to understand the basics of cloud computing, we will now focus more on the benefits of it regarding business and day to day operations.
Cost Effectiveness
When working in the cloud, you do not need your own servers and complicated IT infrastructure anymore. All you need to do is plug into the internet, then you purchase a subscription to software that you need. For example, Microsoft offers monthly subscriptions of Office 365. When one of your employees resigns, you can cancel the subscription and save some money rather than having to pay upfront for an old fashioned software package. Another great advantage of this is that cloud software is updated automatically and regularly to the latest version, so no more dreaded upgrades from CDs.
Accessibility
With cloud computing, you can access your applications from anywhere, anytime of the day. All you need is an internet connection. For example, a sales person on the road retrieving data on his products and uploading sales reports online.
Security
Access to your data can be password protected and stored in a virtual location and it is only you who knows how to access it. In an event that your laptop is stolen, your data is still safe in the cloudand you will still have access to your data.
Disaster Recovery
This point may be related to security. If you have your data stored on your own server and you were hit by either a computer virus or a lightning bolt strikes at your place, it will definitely wipe off all your data. Well, that should not be a problem when you are working in the cloud. Service providers have strict backup and recovery protocols. Your data is generally backed up maybe at the other side of the world, just in case.
Increased collaboration
Remember the time wherein you have to distribute spreadsheets among team members or let’s say you need everyone’s input and feedback? And then not knowing anymore which version is the latest and most updated version of it? Well, with cloud computing that problem will be of something of the past because by having one centralized location of your files, access can be granted to team members and everyone is always working on the latest version. A great example of this is Google Drive, a perfect example of cloud computing.
Environment Friendly
Think also of the environment. Working in the cloud is also green friendly because the more people using cloud services, the less under-utilizedstand-alone servers are purchased. There will be less energy wasted by small businesses and realizing that these professional hosting companies will use energy conserving measures as much as necessary to boost profits.
These are just some of the benefits that can be achieved by using cloud computing. By combining all of these benefits, you are saving a lot of time and money. You are working very efficiently and this enables you to compete on the same level with larger organizations.
In conclusion, if you can identify with at least two to three of these benefits, then surely you should consider working in the cloud. Implementing and adopting cloud technology in your business and day to day life is simply a no brainier.