Storing data off-site in the cloud has a whole host of benefits over the older approach of storing data on-site at an expensive data center. Alongside affordability, cloud computing provides businesses with everything from cloud disaster recovery services to an unprecedented degree of flexibility. Let’s look at five of the most powerful benefits.
1. Easy recovery after a crash
Businesses depend on employees having easy access to the data they need to be productive. When that data goes away due to a crash, it brings productivity to a halt and threatens the very foundations of the business. In the old days of on-site computing, it would take a technician quite a while to reboot everything.
Cloud computing, on the other hand, can restore what you need in a few minutes due to its frequent backups and safe storage. This not only gets your business up and running shortly after a crash, but it prevents the loss of sensitive information stored on-site or on a few local devices.
2. Improved collaboration
As remote work gets more common, the workplace gets more dispersed. It’s no longer tied to a specific office. Nowadays, workers can collaborate on projects regardless of whether they’re sitting together in the same room. Cloud computing gives businesses the tools to foster collaboration in remote working environments.
Alongside the ability to share documents across a variety of devices, you can set up social platforms in the cloud, allowing employees to gather, share, and discuss what’s going on in your business and the industry at large.
3. Simple scalability
As businesses grow, so do their computing needs. In the days of on-site computing, that usually meant a slow and expensive upgrade. Cloud computing, on the other hand, makes scalability simple.
That’s because remote servers can provide a nearly unlimited amount of storage and bandwidth. And, best of all, they don’t require any new equipment or on-site upgrades. Instead, with a click of a button, your business can upgrade the size and power of its IT solutions to support current and future growth.
4. Significant cost savings
Cloud computing is well-known (and loved) for its ability to save businesses a significant amount of money. This is mostly due to the lack of in-house hardware, software, management, and storage facilities. Instead of lumping you with all those IT overheads, cloud computing solutions rely on remote servers to store, manage, and update everything.
In addition, most cloud computing services use a pay-as-you-go model. This means you only pay for the IT resources you actually use. For smaller businesses with limited budgets, this can result in significant savings – which can be used to grow your business.
5. Automatic updates
Few things are more frustrating than getting ready to sit down and work only to find your computer is in the midst of a long software update. Not only does this lead to lost productivity, but it’s also a bit demoralizing.
Cloud computing circumvents this problem by automatically refreshing and updating applications. Rather than waiting around for IT staff to update everything manually, you can rest assured that updates will take place during off-hours, allowing you to start work whenever you’re ready.
The benefits of cloud computing are so numerous that it’s hard to fit them all into a single post. That being said, the five benefits above are key to keeping your business productive, collaborative, and safe – all while supporting growth and saving you money.
