Cloud is one of the few technologies that have taken the digital world by storm in the last couple of years. It has completely transformed how businesses operate all around the world. Businesses of all sizes can benefit from the cloud’s exceptional capabilities.
Despite the hype, there are still businesses that are unaware of the magic of cloud computing for their business processes. They are reluctant to shift from legacy systems to the cloud, failing to realize how the cloud can improve their business functionality. Not only are legacy physical servers costly to maintain, but they are also very prone to breakdowns.
For non-technical business owners, let us explore the cloud in detail and reasons why you should be using it for your business.
What is the Cloud?
Businesses deal with large amounts of data on a daily basis. This data is stored on physical servers or local hard drives. That is a major challenge for businesses to maintain as the physical servers need physical space and controlled temperatures.
On the other hand, the cloud system takes all of this hassle away and enables businesses to store all their data over the internet.
The cloud is a collection of servers present virtually that contain software and databases. These allow the cloud to store and manage your data via the internet and free up from the need for having physical servers for your business.
Let us have a look at a small example. Remember when you had to back up your phone pictures and videos on a hard drive? And now you don’t have to do it anymore because platforms like Google Drive or iCloud automatically store them online? These are the simplest examples of the cloud. No more worrying about your hard drive getting corrupted and losing your precious data. This is the magic of the cloud.
Is the Internet an Important Need for the Cloud?
The internet is basically an important aspect of adopting cloud infrastructure for your business. You are completely dependent on it to access your business data on the cloud. Therefore, before you go on to decide moving your business to the cloud, make sure you have access to a high-speed and dependable internet connection.
In this scenario, the internet technology matters a lot. A fiber or hybrid-fiber coaxial internet connection is fast enough to meet the cloud’s bandwidth requirements. Moreover, these are also known to be dependable enough to function seamlessly during peak hours.
There are many internet service providers that provide high-speed business internet. For instance, Spectrum is one internet provider that can consistently keep you connected to the cloud with its affordable internet plans. The best part is that Spectrum Customer Service is available 24/7 in case of any issues, to ensure business continuity.
Why Should You Shift Your Business to the Cloud?
Shifting your business essentially means using the cloud to store your data and ditching the physical servers and local hard drives. There are many benefits of using the cloud. Let us explore some of them below:
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It Saves You Huge Costs
This is one of the top reasons why the cloud is such a big deal for businesses. Cloud storage is known for its affordability in contrast with on-premises physical servers.
Most cloud services have a pay-as-you-go model, which makes it so much more affordable. Moreover, they do not have high maintenance costs like IT expenses and electricity bills. The physical servers are also super costly to repair in case of breakdown, which happens often.
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It is Way Less Risky
By shifting to the cloud, you can eliminate the risk of data loss. The thing about physical servers and local hard drives is that they are prone to becoming corrupted. This negatively impacts your business data, and hinders business continuity.
On the other hand, the cloud automatically backs up your data, so in case of an unprecedented downtime, you can still access your business data. This is very hard to achieve with physical servers because for data backup, you need a separate server, which doubles your cost.
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It is More Secure
The cloud is more efficient in keeping your business data secure from cyber-attacks.
On-premises servers might seem safer, but they do not have sophisticated cybersecurity capabilities like the cloud. The cloud enables constant monitoring of your online data and firewalls to protect it from cyberattacks like ransomware, hacking attempts, Denial of Service (DoS) attacks, etc.
Moreover, the cloud is also using Artificial Intelligence to further improve its cybersecurity posture.
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It Improves Business Efficiency
One of the major benefits of the cloud is that it makes your business processes more efficient. Its fast and easy access allows your teams to work seamlessly, without facing any roadblocks. Team members can access the cloud data from any of their devices, which improves their productivity.
Moreover, the cloud also allows seamless business process automation. This allows you to automate your workflows to save time and costs.
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It Provides Remote Access
Another great thing about the cloud is that it allows your employees from around the world to remotely access your data. This flexibility enables various work modes and encourages collaboration beyond borders. Furthermore, it frees your employees from being present in the office to access data. This also allows them to access important data even when they are away from office, in case of an emergency.
In short, these are just some of the ways the cloud can help your business. However, one thing is sure that the cloud is a very progressive technology that is reshaping the business world.
