How Does the Cloud Work, and How Does It Benefit Your Business?
Cloud computing has caused a storm in the tech sector. It’s just a gimmick, people say. It won’t last. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Cloud computing improves cash flow, boosts productivity and keeps all your data safe and secure. It’s no wonder, then, that experts predict the public cloud computing market will be worth more than $159 million by the year 2020. Get used to it, cloud computing is here to stay. What’s the forecast? Clouds everywhere.
Is Cloud Computing the Future of Tech?
There’s a lot of hype that surrounds cloud computing. Even a few experts believe it’s just a trend – soon to flop like the Dreamcast games console or Microsoft Kin. But cloud computing isn’t a fad, it’s the future. And the statistics speak for themselves. Cloud spending has grown 4.5 times faster than IT spending since 2009, and experts predict it will grow six times faster through 2020.
How Does It All Work?
Here’s the technical bit. The cloud refers to delivering and managing information services through a remote network like an internet, instead of a computer system.
Think of the cloud like your basement – a place where you can conveniently store loads of seasonal, bulky or special stuff that you don’t need right now and access it whenever you like. You can keep documents and photos and resources in a virtual space, away from your premises. This provides you with loads of security benefits.
“Each cloud service is a series of servers, each with its own purpose,”says Technology Services at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. “Some servers store data while others run software or control access to information. The function of the servers is largely dependent upon the cloud service being provided.”
Cloud Benefits for Your Small Business
So, how can the cloud work for you? First, this tech-savvy network model reduces inefficiencies in your workplace. You can access your data from anywhere in the world and reduce the amount of IT infrastructure you keep on your premises.
Second, you can improve your data security by implementing a cloud setup. When your data is maintained in a remote, professionally managed environment, you won’t lose valuable information if your local network hardware or software malfunctions or you experience a physical disaster like a flood, fire or hurricane.
“Cloud services can be especially practical for smaller organizations because they reduce internal IT resources and the time spent managing them,” says Tom’s IT Pro. “Instead of relying on additional hardware and software and people to manage and secure them, organizations can take advantage of cloud’s flexibility, scalability, security, availability, reliability and more.”
The Future of the Cloud
The forecast for this technology isn’t cloudy. Research suggests that 83 percent of all data will be cloud-based within the next three years. That’s a lot of data.
Hiring a managed service provider helps you maximize those cloud benefits. These professionals provide around-the-clock security and monitoring services to ensure your data is safe from hackers. No longer will you need to maintain your IT hardware, either. Plus, you save on your electricity bills because everything happens off-premises.
Incorporating cloud computing into your small business just makes sense. If you want to reduce infrastructure costs, improve efficiencies and boost security, this tech provides you with a solution. If you think this is just another fad, think again.
