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Why Cloud Computing?
Simply put, cloud computing is computing based on the internet. Where in the past, people would run applications or programs from software downloaded on a physical computer or server in their building, cloud computing allows people access to the same kinds of applications through the internet. Here are 10 reasons why the cloud is the way to go for your computing needs.
1. Flexibility
Cloud-based services are ideal for businesses with growing or fluctuating bandwidth demands. If your needs increase it’s easy to scale up your cloud capacity, drawing on the service’s remote servers. Likewise, if you need to scale down again, the flexibility is baked into the service. This level of agility can give businesses using cloud computing a real advantage over competitors – it’s not surprising that CIOs and IT Directors rank ‘operational agility’ as a top driver for cloud adoption.
2. Disaster recovery
Businesses of all sizes should be investing in robust disaster recovery, but for smaller businesses that lack the required cash and expertise, this is often more an ideal than the reality. Cloud is now helping more organizations buck that trend. According to Aberdeen Group, small businesses are twice as likely as larger companies to have implemented cloud-based backup and recovery solutions that save time, avoid large up-front investment and roll up third-party expertise as part of the deal.
3. Automatic software updates
The beauty of cloud computing is that the servers are off-premise, out of sight and out of your hair. Suppliers take care of them for you and roll out regular software updates – including security updates – so you don’t have to worry about wasting time maintaining the system yourself. Leaving you free to focus on the things that matter, like growing your business.
4. Capital-expenditure Free
Cloud computing cuts out the high cost of hardware. You simply pay as you go and enjoy a subscription-based model that’s kind to your cash flow. Add to that the ease of setup and management and suddenly your scary, hairy IT project looks at lot friendlier. It’s never been easier to take the first step to cloud adoption.
5. Increased collaboration
When your teams can access, edit and share documents anytime, from anywhere, they’re able to do more together, and do it better. Cloud-based workflow and file sharing apps help them make updates in real time and gives them full visibility of their collaborations.
6. Work from anywhere
With cloud computing, if you’ve got an internet connection you can be at work. And with most serious cloud services offering mobile apps, you’re not restricted by which device you’ve got to hand.
The result? Businesses can offer more flexible working perks to employees so they can enjoy the work-life balance that suits them – without productivity taking a hit. One study reported that 42% of workers would swap a portion of their pay for the ability to telecommute. On average they’d be willing to take a 6% pay cut.
7. Document control
The more employees and partners collaborate on documents, the greater the need for watertight document control. Before the cloud, workers had to send files back and forth as email attachments to be worked on by one user at a time. Sooner or later – usually sooner – you end up with a mess of conflicting file content, formats and titles.
And as even the smallest companies become more global, the scope for complication rises. According to one study, "73% of knowledge workers collaborate with people in different time zones and regions at least monthly".
When you make the move to cloud computing, all files are stored centrally and everyone sees one version of the truth. Greater visibility means improved collaboration, which ultimately means better work and a healthier bottom line. If you’re still relying on the old way, it could be time to try something a little more streamlined.
8. Security
Lost laptops are a billion dollar business problem. And potentially greater than the loss of an expensive piece of kit is the loss of the sensitive data inside it. Cloud computing gives you greater security when this happens. Because your data is stored in the cloud, you can access it no matter what happens to your machine. And you can even remotely wipe data from lost laptops so it doesn’t get into the wrong hands.
9. Competitiveness
Wish there was a simple step you could take to become more competitive? Moving to the cloud gives access to enterprise-class technology, for everyone. It also allows smaller businesses to act faster than big, established competitors. Pay-as-you-go service and cloud business applications mean small outfits can run with the big boys, and disrupt the market, while remaining lean and nimble. David now packs a Goliath-sized punch.
10. Environmentally friendly
While the above points spell out the benefits of cloud computing for your business, moving to the cloud isn’t an entirely selfish act. The environment gets a little love too. When your cloud needs fluctuate, your server capacity scales up and down to fit. So you only use the energy you need and you don’t leave oversized carbon footprints. This is something close to our hearts at Salesforce, where we try our best to create sustainable solutions with minimal environmental impact.
Why Outsource IT Services?
This is the single most asked question. Unfortunately, there are no simple answers. Every business has its own needs when it comes to computer networks. There ARE a few questions that you can ask about your organization. Your answers to these questions will lead you to a decision:
- Does my network ever have problems that my staff cannot fix?
- Is my network necessary to the profitability of my business?
- When a problem occurs does my company lose money until it is resolved?
- Can I afford to hire a full time IT person to maintain my network?
- Would it be worth my time and money to invest in preventative maintenance?
- Could your company survive if you lost all your network data permanently?
Like most technology, computer networks are a complicated tool, to work at their peak efficiency they need to be maintained. Many companies adopt the "It works so why worry about it?" philosophy. For those companies, after the installation, their computer network is never touched again, until it stops functioning properly. Unfortunately, sometimes that's just too late. Computer IT companies regularly get calls from panicked business owners whose networks have just crashed. After diagnosing the problem, sometimes the data is unrecoverable. Unrecoverable data is just that, UNRECOVERABLE. Regardless of how much money business owners are willing to pay they are never going to get their financial, customer, or inventory information back, ever. Starting from scratch is a terrifying prospect.
In today's technical marketplace, trained IT professionals are out of reach for most small to mid size companies. These companies are flying without a net. Can you afford this gamble?
The choices available to these companies are simple:
- Let the employee that "knows about computers" do the work.
- Hire a full time IT Professional to maintain your system.
- Call for emergency service when your system is down to schedule a repair.
- Don't do anything and maybe the problem will go away by itself.
- Contract with an established service provider to BE your IT professionals
By contracting with a service provider, you are essentially hiring a team of fully certified IS Professionals to maintain your network. Similar to a full time employee, your service provider will become a proactive part of your network system. PROACTIVE is the key. 99% of fatal network errors could be easily avoided if caught and treated early. Calling a company to fix your problem may get you back up and running today, but what about tomorrow? Be sure that your company of choice staffs a team of multiple, certified engineers and technicians. Hiring a company that sends a high school senior who "Knows about computers" is a tremendous waste of your company's money. Choose a company who is certified with the Developer of your network software and workstation operating system. Don't settle for anything less than an MCSE or CNE certified engineer.
Your company's data is a valuable commodity that should be protected. Professional advanced system planning is the key to a smoothly running system with plenty of room for growth.
If you are considering outsourcing, we can provide the professional assistance you will need to do it right. We will show you what's required to improve your bottom line by outsourcing your support functions. . .and best of all our services are provided at no extra cost to you.
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