Cloud

The concept of the cloud is nothing new. If you’ve ever stored a file on Dropbox, streamed a song on Spotify, shared a Google Doc or even posted on Facebook, you’ve interacted with the cloud. That’s because the cloud is technically the internet.

So, what does it mean to move your business to the cloud? Put simply, you’re taking the burden of storing and processing data on-site and handing it over to remote servers. Every device in your business then syncs up with those servers and subsequently with each other, creating a seamless and cost-effective way to carry out operations.

Increased Productivity

With the cloud, each employee can access the same document or spreadsheet and make changes in real-time. The edit, send, and wait process is completely eliminated, thus making it possible to complete week-long projects in a matter of hours. Gone are the days of having to complete repetitive or redundant tasks such as data re-entry.

Reduced Expenses

There are so many ways that the cloud can reduce your expenditure. You’ll no longer have to pay for the infrastructure and staffing that comes with on-site servers. This will also reduce your power bill. When the U.S. General Services Administration moved to the cloud, their energy usage dropped 90 percent.

With the cloud, your employees will no longer have to be at work to access business-critical resources. This makes remote work possible. Not only does that save you money on hardware in the office, but employees tend to prefer it and remote teams are more productive than those who work on-site.

Automation Opportunities

It’s often said that the cloud was made for automation. It allows you to eliminate countless repetitive and manual processes from your daily workload.

This can include something as simple as sending out invoices to automating entire workflows. Most cloud software is loaded with automation features right out of the box, making it easy for your business to start reaping the benefits.

Enhanced Security

In the event of a cyber attack, most notably with data-crippling forms such as ransomware, you can rest assured that your information will remain accessible if it’s in the cloud. The same applies to natural disaster and physical theft situations. You can remove access or completely wipe devices if they’re stolen.

These features make the cloud a vastly more secure option than on-site storage. It’s also another way that the cloud can save you money, especially when you consider that data loss can cost your business millions. That said, you should still be aware of the Cloud Security Best Practices to ensure the safety of your data.

Flexibility

Setting up an on-site server typically involves estimating how much space you’ll need and buying hardware accordingly. On the other hand, cloud providers allow you to buy only as much as you need, thus eliminating the need for upfront investment in expensive hardware that may or may not be utilized in the first place.

Conclusion

While there are plenty more, these reasons alone should be compelling enough for any business to consider investing in the cloud.