eDiscovery Daily Blog

• September 29, 2022

By guest blogger, Arnold Rogers

As an experienced business consultant, Arnold Rogers has advised businesses across many industries in areas of lead generation, customer experience, service development, and small business cash flow and financial management. He has experience in handling diverse industries, from fast-moving consumer goods to business-to-business hardware retailers. 

Many businesses are switching to the cloud for their day-to-day operations, and you should too. Today’s business climate keeps changing. You should be able to access data on your phone, tablet, or computer, whether in the office, home, or field. This will help you remain competitive. Cloud technology allows employees to access files and work platforms from any place in a secure way. Read on to find out why businesses are switching to the cloud.

Improved Data Security

Any data you store in the cloud is encrypted, making it safe. And since cloud technology is frequently updated, the cloud hosting company will implement the latest cybersecurity measures, ensuring your data isn’t at risk. This is particularly important when you have a lot of customer information you wouldn’t want to lose. Integrating your digital marketing strategies from Digital Spotlight into cloud computing can ensure your tricks remain safe with your business.

Frees Up Your Staff

By switching to the cloud, you free up your staff members to focus on other important things. For instance, if you have hired an IT team, they can now focus on helping other employees with IT needs. Cloud computing also tends to boost employees’ productivity. Users can successfully focus on the task at hand without mixing different software bundles to accomplish tasks.

It’s Flexible

One of the advantages of cloud computing is the flexibility it offers. Your employees can work from whichever location, at whatever time. Considering that 1 in 3 remote employees may quit if asked to return to the office, cloud computing can protect you from such an inconvenience. On the other hand, a business can reduce workstations in the office, saving rental costs. As long as you have fast internet, you’ll continue monitoring your business and employees’ work from whichever corner of the world you’re in.

It’s Scalable

Cloud hosting companies allow businesses to scale depending on their current needs. That means you only pay for what you need. As the business continues growing and your needs change, you can scale up quickly. For instance, you may not need data analysis tools or CRM immediately when you’re a startup. But as you continue expanding, your cloud technology will have to include CRM programs. When that happens, contact your provider, and they will upgrade your package in a few minutes.

Reduces Costs

While it may seem counterproductive, hiring a third party to manage your IT infrastructure is cheaper than hiring an in-house team. With an in-house team, you’ll need to buy hard drives, software, and mobile devices and add workstations. The level of expertise and infrastructure needed to match that of a cloud computing company is expensive. It’s much cheaper to work with a hosting company because you only call them when necessary. At the same time, businesses can save 30% to 50% by switching to the cloud, ultimately saving their running costs.

There’s no Need for a Backup Plan

In the past, computing systems would need backup plans for large amounts of data. Understandably, a company will suffer a financial loss if there’s no backup storage and disaster strikes. When storing data in the cloud, you don’t need any such means to back up your data. That data will always be there whenever users need it. They only need to have internet, and they are good to go. In fact, the cloud itself is your backup plan because the data stored there is safe.

A Variety of Options

There are different cloud computing models which let you choose the option that fits your business. The main models include:

• SaaS: Software as a service gives businesses access to software through the internet. These applications are available through a desktop client, API, or web browser that integrates with a user’s mobile or desktop operating system. SaaS applications allow workers to download important files and collaborate on projects. Usually, users pay an annual or monthly subscription fee for this service.
• IaaS: Infrastructure as a service (IaaS) lets you rent IT infrastructure from a provider. This includes virtual machines, servers, storage, and network. Usually, it will be on a pay-as-you-go basis.
• PaaS: Platform as a service allows software developers to access cloud-based tools like gateway software, APIs, and web portals.

Improved Collaboration at Work

Business owners know just how important collaboration at work can help propel the company forward. One of the ways to boost team performance is through cloud computing. Employees can easily share information and collaborate on projects even when in different locations. Field workers can upload data in real-time, allowing those at the office to get updates. This saves time and eliminates redundant tasks like data re-entry. This level of efficiency increases productivity and saves money.

If you have yet to switch to cloud computing, start looking for a provider. Ensure it’s the right one, as your ability to enjoy the benefits outlined will depend on the provider you go with. You can ask for referrals from businesses that have already switched to cloud computing.

Contact a cloud migration expert at CloudNine here.