What are the Benefits of the Cloud for Businesses?

2022-10-17 19:56:30

90% of companies have migrated some or all of their operations and data to the cloud.

As on-site IT infrastructure has many limitations that hinder the progress of enterprises, it's difficult for a business to implement the latest technologies and become efficient while still using traditional IT infrastructure systems. The solution is to use cloud-based services to improve business performance and boost growth.

Are you still wondering why you should use managed cloud computing? Here are a few reasons to consider it.

Security

Cyberattacks have become a significant concern in the corporate world, with one cyber-attack occurring every 39 seconds.

Fortunately, IT cloud computing service providers use economies of scale to streamline security and conduct various updates. Furthermore, the cloud provider is in a position to hire more security experts than your business can.

Cloud services also use encryption methods to protect data whereby only verified persons can access your information on the cloud. You can also activate two-factor authentication or biometric verification to protect data further. Similarly, cloud computing uses security features such as granular permissions to restrict access, adding another layer to your security.

 

Scalability

When moving your operations to the cloud, there are many options for scaling and customising your chosen solution. For example, you can select horizontal or vertical scaling for your business.

Vertical scaling involves increasing the storage, memory, and processing power, whereas horizontal scaling includes adding more servers and spreading your workloads across multiple machines.

The scalability allows you to increase or reduce your business IT resources in line with new demands, which instantly expands your cloud subscription should you acquire more orders and attract clients.

 

Unlimited Storage Capacity

It's possible to store data of various sizes in the cloud where file sizes don't affect access frequency or expected application performance. Similarly, you can store files of any type in the cloud.

Due to economies of scale, cloud storage costs tend to decrease as your storage requirements increase. Ultimately, you will do away with the on-site servers while significantly saving space in your office.

 

Backup and Disaster Recovery

Businesses can fall victim to any number of unplanned events. For instance, the software may fail, or data may become corrupted. Similarly, your employees may make a mistake and delete critical data.

Also responsible for data loss or corruption are malicious attacks by hackers. All unplanned events have one thing in common; however, they lead to data loss. However, if you correctly back up your data, it can be quickly restored to its original location.

Data back up to a location, system or medium different from where it is ordinarily stored is a common practice. Moreover, creating a live data backup system is clever because it ensures that your latest information is safe in the cloud. Sometimes, you can even store your data across multiple cloud backup systems.

 

Collaboration

Data stored in the cloud makes collaboration between various teams within your business easy. That's because they can all work in the same infrastructure without any limitations or security fears.

It's also easier to define rules and assign permissions in the cloud than in an on-site collaboration system. Additionally, you can ask your managed services provider to create a customised environment for your business needs.

 

Flexibility

Your employees will be more productive and innovative if the workplace is flexible. For example, they should have easy access to data from remote locations. Similarly, a worker on holiday at home or in their car can continue working.

Cloud computing uses secure networks to allow remote access, and the flexibility this offers, in turn, enhances work-life balance and will enable people to work from anywhere.

The flexibility also extends to your control choices, whereby you can quickly determine the level and the type of cloud services you need. For example, one can choose software as a service or platform as a service.

Your team members will also have a wide range of tools and menu options available to them and with which to complete their work. Inhouse IT teams can seamlessly add or remove features to improve efficiency.

 

Strategic Value

Moving to the cloud is one of the best ways to increase your company's strategic value because it allows you to focus on other priorities and innovations. The result is a streamlined workflow with fewer stoppages.

This advantage will only grow if your competitors don't use the cloud, as your business will deliver services quicker and respond to issues faster. Besides, the cumulative cost savings will help to provide cheaper products and services.

 

Environmentally-Friendly

Switching from an on-site system to the cloud reduces your carbon footprint and increases your contribution to lowering carbon emissions and electrical consumption.

You can help the environment further by working with managed cloud service providers using environmentally-friendly data centres. The provider's data centres should be near the power source to prevent the loss of power due to long transmission distances.

Data centres typically consolidate the use of machines and services as it increases efficiency and ensures that the maximum number of devices are in use.

 

Automatic Software Integration

Your enterprise is continually upgrading its software needs and using new applications. Similarly, each unit in your business requires its unique IT services. However, the company will be serving the same customers and selling the same products, and consequently, you need a way to coordinate each software. Using the cloud can assist in this instance by providing you with access to tools that enable automatic software integration. Whenever your business starts using new software, the cloud will automatically integrate it into your system.

Likewise, your cloud service provider can identify outdated software and automatically remove them. After that, your provider can automatically supplement your system with more secure and effective software.

 

Make the Best Use of Managed Cloud to Gain an Edge

Daisy Business Solutions provides software services to the whole of South Africa. We provide technology solutions for businesses, including communication technology, energy infrastructure, and office automation.

If your business requires managed cloud services, visit one of our offices around the country or contact us here.