The cloud is becoming more and more popular with each passing year. As companies rethink their budgets and business strategies amid the pandemic, many are realizing that the cloud is a vital asset to future business operations.
According to LogicMonitor’s Cloud 2025 Study, 87% of IT decision-makers around the world agree that COVID-19 will cause businesses to accelerate their migration to the cloud. 74% also believe that, within the next five years, 95% of all workloads will be hosted in the cloud.
Why this surge in cloud computing? There are many reasons for the cloud’s rise in popularity ranging from increased mobility to enhanced security.
Is your business ready for a cloud migration? Here are 5 cloud computing benefits you should know about.
1. Cloud Computing is More Secure
Cloud computing service providers are extremely security-conscious. In most cases, they’ll have a rigorous program of security audits and a range of security measures that outstrip those available to small or medium-sized businesses. After all, their whole reputation is dependent on keeping the valuable data of their customers safe. Poor security isn’t something they can afford.
Of course, cloud solutions need to be used conscientiously in order to make the most of this cloud computing benefit. Data loss is less likely when using cloud computing, but good security practices still need to be observed.
2. Your Customers Benefit, Too
When your business runs its local server, the responsibility for keeping it functioning smoothly is all on you. Issues are inevitable, some big and some small. However, with even a small amount of downtime being extremely costly, most businesses strive to keep server issues to a minimum.
The good news is that cloud computing benefits your customers by reducing downtime. Your cloud service provider’s entire job is to keep their services up and running, and they go to great lengths to do this by having generators, redundant backup hardware, and other measures on hand. In this way, downtime is significantly reduced.
3. The Cloud is More Disaster-Proof
Sensitive data stored on a local server can be vulnerable to all kinds of disasters: fire, flood, or even theft. One of the benefits of cloud computing that often proves incredibly valuable is the fact that your data is stored remotely, often in several locations.
Even if your premises are completely destroyed, your employees should (with appropriate training, resources, and equipment) be able to carry on working from their homes, or from other locations. With all of your data and software in the cloud, surviving a disaster and keeping your business up and running becomes a lot easier.
4. Collaboration At its Best
Gone are the days of long, convoluted email chains. Cloud computing benefits your employees by allowing them to collaborate in real-time – quickly, intuitively, and effortlessly. Even collaboration between employees in different offices on opposite sides of the globe is now as easy as if they were working in the same room.
5. Cloud Computing is Less Expensive
There are several ways in which cloud computing benefits your bottom line. First, it’s very scalable. While upgrading your capacity with a traditional local server might require extensive wiring, new hardware, disruption to your office, and so on – with cloud computing it’s completely effortless.
Not only that, but cloud computing enhances efficiency, improves compliance, and reduces the need for employees to travel for meetings. Plus the cost of buying and maintaining a server is far from insignificant – with cloud computing this is one sizable bill you don’t have to foot.
Conclusion
With these cloud computing benefits in mind, it’s easy to see why cloud computing is on the rise. Whether you’re just starting to adopt the cloud or already integrating it into your business, it’s clear that cloud computing is the future – and a bright one.
Contact your IT managed services provider for help finding the right cloud solution for your business.