Top 10 Benefits of Cloud Computing

There are some very distinct benefits to cloud computing that will boost your operations, productivity, and efficiency. While the practice has been widely adopted by a great number of businesses and individuals, there are still a number of points to keep in mind before taking the plunge. Cloud computing from our perspective is a new, highly utilitarian tool. To us, it's a building material—a solution—which is why we believe it's important to understand the hyperbole around it as well. To that end, we've included some caveats around the benefits of cloud computing.

1. Greatest Reach

One of the greatest benefits of cloud computing—and its most remarkable aspect—is its ability to deliver information and data in real time anywhere in the world. This "folder in the sky" allows quick and efficient data sharing/participation with others. This includes other employees and co-workers, as well as clients or potential clients far and wide. The ability to share information and data without the constraints of time or network and server, boosts efficiency and collaboration, and can act to eliminate discrepancies and reduce miscommunication.

A Caveat About the Cloud's Speed

Cloud computing is referred to as “utility computing.” The cloud has convenience and the greatest reach, but it is not inherently faster. Ultimately, speed depends on what platform you're using. With cloud utility computing, it may seem like it's making your life quicker.

2. Scale Up and Scale Down

One of the things that the cloud does is scale up and scale down, depending on your usage. Moving to the cloud can also result in a reallocation of costs for many businesses. The cloud converts heavy capital costs from servers by shrinking your reliability on physical assets. 

A Caveat About the Cloud's Cost

Ultimately, though, costs depend on your business. If you own a server and keep your own server, you will save 46% off the price of the cloud. This includes going with Amazon Web Services. 

The cloud also introduces the whole concept of shared responsibility. Someone else is responsible for keeping the cloud up. If you don't back your data up off the cloud, you could be in trouble. Neither Google nor Microsoft take responsibility for restoring any lost data. 

3. Reduce In-House Responsibilities

Installing software and setting up servers and hardware are all tasks that take up a lot of time and require a lot of skill. It's a necessary step in so many aspects of building your business network. So when it comes to storing and sharing information, cloud computing essentially eliminates a giant chunk of in-house assembly and responsibility.

Cloud computing essentially eliminates a giant chunk of in-house assembly and responsibility.

A Caveat About the Cloud and In-House Responsibilities

As long as you have an Internet connection, other people are taking care of your servers. The truth is that with cloud computing, in-house people have less control over server-side aspects of your business. This means that there are not fewer in-house responsibilities, but fewer trained staff.

4. Performance

Moving to the cloud can result in a major cost savings for many businesses—especially mid-sized companies— and it can also improve your performance. The cloud also allows for more server power during peak demand.  

5. Keeping up to Date

Technology is always rapidly growing and expanding, and keeping your hardware and software running at optimal efficiency takes a lot of effort and attention. When storing your data and crucial content in a cloud network, the responsibility of updating and maintaining maximum security and efficiency standards are taken care of by your cloud provider.

6. Staying One Step Ahead

When it comes to cybersecurity, it's one thing to be aware and to be cautious. But it is best to be one step ahead of potential threats, and to examine the likelihood of future risks. This is a task that requires a lot of attention, a lot of know-how. Cloud providers have professionals on hand to observe and examine prospective cybercriminal activity, and take the immediate steps needed to prevent you from becoming a victim of cybercrime.

7. Increased Connectivity

One of the major benefits of switching to the cloud is its ability to connect users, far and wide, quickly and efficiently. The process of sharing data and information with others not on site, often requires a lot of steps and each step has its own security issues. The cloud lets you give access to your files and data with others quickly and securely.

8. Increased Productivity

Because you are able to share information so rapidly, it cuts down on a lot of idling as you wait for the information to be delivered, received, downloaded, etc. Especially when files are larger, sending them to a remote user could take a lot of time, and that decreases productivity on both sides.

9. Unlimited Space

The more you store, the more your network slows down, requiring you to purchase more space and set up external hard drives. With the cloud, you can customize a membership that suits your space needs—and there is always the option of unlimited space. No matter how much you store, you won’t be set back by over-cramping your network and slowing down its functionality.

10. Backup and Recovery

Having your data and programs and applications stored on the cloud means in the event there is a cyberattack or a loss of data on your internal network, your business can easily recover crucial data. Keeping a business operational in times of crisis is a key component to running a successful business, and having your information in the cloud makes for a quick recovery process.

A Caveat About Backing Up and Recovery in the Cloud

In terms of backup and recovery, the cloud addresses good IT management. If you only have your data in your office, you have off-site backups. When your server or computer fails, it can take days to recover. By contrast, recovering from a disaster in the cloud is almost impossible to do unless you use a mass data backup service that involves getting your data off-site and backed up. When it really matters is when you have to restore your data.

Convenience is core. The cloud is everywhere. With mobile work forces on the rise, the cloud definitely dominates over company infrastructure. Technology moves forward by the second and adapting will help you move along seamlessly with the wave.

If you're interested in moving your organization to the cloud, get in touch with CITI. We'll evaluate your costs and cost savings, security in the cloud, and productivity for your unique business needs.