The online space has transformed over the years. It is no longer just a place for sourcing information or entertainment. In these times, people are embracing remote working. And the internet provides a fantastic workspace.
Cloud computing also offers unlimited storage facilities. Companies no longer need to allocate tons of space for physical file storage.
For a small business, the savings can be quite significant. But, those are not the only benefits. Read on to know why you should be signing up for cloud computing today.
1. Data Safety With Cloud Computing
Data safety is an ongoing concern for most businesses. Customer information falling in the wrong hands can have so many implications.
The affected parties can decide to sue. For a small company, the financial impact may be hard to recover from. There is also the cost of the damage to the company’s reputation.
As we already hinted above, in the earlier days, companies depended on physical filing systems. They would have to invest in secure facilities to keep the data safe. But, it would not be too hard to breach such.
Exchanging information would happen over emails. The other option is through the use of floppy discs and CDs. All these present significant data security concerns.
Cloud computing has several advantages when it comes to data security. These include:
- Strong security features from the cloud computing service providers. Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and Oracle spend a lot on security. As the client, you can rest easy knowing you are in good hands.
- Data encryption ensures only the intended recipient receives the information.
- Daily backups mean quick recovery in case of a breach or system failure. Quick recovery is essential for business continuity. And, automatic backups remove the hassle of having to initiate the manual process.
- Strong passwords and multifactor authentication provides enhanced security.
- As the user, you can assign accessibility levels. These include the least privilege and zero trust policies.
Do note, cloud service providers must adhere to strict industry regulations. The companies would not risk their reputation and business on inadequate security features.
2. Great Savings With Cloud Computing
The challenge of onsite IT infrastructure does not end at installation. There is the ongoing process of maintenance. The company must invest in the right talent to handle such tasks.
Upgrading systems and installing new software must be routine. All these costs will have a significant impact on the company’s bottom line.
A small business will realize greater savings with cloud computing. All you need to do is sign up for the service to get access to tons of functionalities. The providers handle all the back-end processes. Any hardware is the sole responsibility of the cloud service provider.
So, forget about fires of flooding destroying files. Cloud computing has you covered on that front.
3. Cloud Computing Allows for Scalability
Let’s go back to the example of needing physical IT infrastructure. The more your business grows, the more capacity you must have. You will have to upgrade what you have, to suit your current needs.
You must also invest in training the IT team to adapt to whatever changes you’re implementing. All these changes have a cost implication that the small business must absorb.
With cloud computing, there is a lot of flexibility. You only pay for what you need. Most providers have subscription packages that provide sufficient capacity based on where your business is. That means you can scale up and down, at your convenience.
And that’s not all. Using cloud computing takes the stress off your IT department. It relieves them from day-to-day tasks. Such include support and network monitoring. Many IT departments tend to work in a reactive mode.
They are very busy when a problem occurs. The firefighting way of operations leaves the organization vulnerable. It also doesn’t allow for too much innovation from the teams.
The service providers take over most of the tasks. For the company, it is an opportunity to run with a lean department. And, the existing talent can spend time coming up with IT solutions. Solutions that can benefit the company in so many ways, including proactive measures to counter any issues.
4. Cloud Computing Allows for Remote Access
Many people now prefer to work from home. This is especially true after the Corona pandemic hit the world. Industry giants like Amazon, Microsoft, Spotify, and Square now have extended work-from-home policies.
And, the reality is that the situation may very well continue, taking into consideration that the virus is still very much alive.
Many companies did not have the infrastructure to support such work conditions. But, cloud computing provided a much-needed solution.
Employees get access to information on online platforms. The admin simply needs to grant access to the relevant people. Collaboration and sharing are easy using any internet-connected device. These include a mobile phone, tablet, laptop, or desktop.
Best of all, it does not matter what part of the globe they are in. That means small businesses can hire talent from wherever. In some cases, cheap labor is available outside of the geographic location. It can be a huge saving for the company.
5. Tons of Options of Cloud Computing
Small business owners have tons of options when it comes to cloud computing. It is an advantage when you are looking for the best, depending on your needs. The options include:
- Public cloud is what you get from third-party providers like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon. You will share server space with other companies. But, this does not compromise the level of security and reliability. As we have stated, the company invests in proper security features. They also have a large number of networks and data recovery in place.
- Private cloud gives you exclusive ownership of specific servers. It is the best option if you want greater control and configurations. The downside is fewer scalability capabilities and resilience. All of which are key advantages of the public cloud.
- Hybrid cloud he’s a combination of private and public. You can allocate specific workloads to either one.
- Infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS) allocates equal responsibilities between you and the provider. You will, for example, need to provide the software, data, and operating systems. The service provider will be in charge of hardware, data storage, commercialization, and so on.
- Other options are platform-as-a-service (Paas) and software-as-a-service (Saas).
Do take the time to understand what each means in more detail. It will help you decide on the best option for your small business.
Final Thoughts
There are so many benefits cloud computing can offer a small business. The most significant perhaps is the tons of savings the company will realize. For the business owner, there is no need to invest in on-site IT infrastructure.
The Cloud service providers are in charge of maintenance. They also run back-end operations like backups and upgrades. The company can operate on a very lean IT department, thus huge savings.
Cloud storage is safe due to the investment in security measures by the service providers. They adhere to strict compliance issues to ensure data safety for clients. Multi-factor authentication, access levels, and encryption further enhance safety.
Small business owners get a lot of flexibility with cloud storage. You only pay for what you need. That means you can apply for more capacity, the more your business grows. And, you have the option of scaling down if the company needs to reduce.
Finally, there are tons of options available. When looking for a package, start by understanding your business needs. You should only pay for what you will use.