There’s no denying handing control of your organisation's systems over to a higher power is scary, even if they are a team of advanced specialists running enterprise technology. However, cloud computing has the potential to decrease expenditure, improve your organisation’s operational efficiency, create happier personnel and boost productivity.
“Cloud Computing is transforming the way that businesses consume computer services. Whilst there are different flavours of Cloud, it could be as simple as moving traditional onsite servers to hosted environments. Cloud removes the need to focus on managing, maintaining and supporting local servers, so all you have to worry about is consuming the service”- Managing Director of R&G Technologies, Gordon Tan.
Read on to learn about the benefits and concerns around cloud computing.
- Cost savings
- Scalability
- Mobility
- Upgrades
- Disaster Recovery
Cost Savings
There are many different cloud options (SaaS, PaaS, IaaS etc)and when you move to the cloud, there is profound potential for savings on infrastructure, support and maintenance costs.
“In the past, deploying and managing on premise servers was a very expensive exercise for small businesses. In the Cloud model, there are no upfront capital expenditures and less support and maintenance costs.” - Tan.
For example, instead of a massive upfront outlay and an expensive support structure, you’re only paying for use of service. Doing so frees up finances you can invest into increasing headcount, marketing or other initiatives designed to boost your organisation’s productivity.
However, always remember to evaluate cost savings carefully. Make sure your cloud solution is tailored to business requirements to avoid paying for unnecessary services.
Scalability
Like anything in business, your systems requirements are never static. The cloud’s instant scalability means you can forget about downtime due to system upgrades, or paying for software and hardware you no longer need. You’re able to retain high performance when adding resources, promising greater efficiency and overall productivity.
“It levels the playing field for all businesses. You get access to enterprise level technologies regardless of your size, because you’re only paying for the portion you use” - Tan.
When your systems are in the cloud, you can react faster to the changing demands of your organisation, reducing productivity losses due to insufficient system capabilities.
Mobility
Cloud services give staff remote access through multiple devices from any location, streamlining the collaboration process and driving workplace innovation.
“Cloud is about the unity and accessibility of an organisation’s resources. An effective cloud solution will increase the efficiency and degree of innovation you can achieve. It gives you the capacity to work off a shared or collaborative platform with different people all over the world" - Purchasing Officer, Caleb Petrick.
Cloud solutions give you the ability to work from home and remote offices reducing the need of travel, and can improve work-life balance, creating a happier corporate culture and increasing your organisation’s productivity.
Related: How mobility can increase productivity
Upgrades
In order to avoid productivity losses due to hardware and software failure, it’s critical to proactively apply updates and patches as soon as they’re available.
“Everything is perpetually updated in the cloud so you’re always getting the latest servers and upgrades. Patches and updates are automatically deployed, so you’re always equipped with cutting edge technology” - Tan.
It’s hard enough remembering to upgrade, let alone finding the time while maintaining system performance. A cloud solution removes this unavoidable inconvenience and productivity drain, while ensuring you have access to state of the art systems.
Disaster Recovery in the Cloud
The cost of downtime goes beyond initial productivity losses, tarnishing your reputation and reducing customer loyalty. Utilising the cloud can protect your organisation from the pains of downtime.
Related: What is cloud disaster recovery?
“Cloud solutions give you improved uptime because you get enterprise systems with high availability, meaning if the system fails, it generally automatically fails over to another backup system” - Tan.
In general, restore times are also quicker than traditional solutions, there’s more automation, and it’s less expensive because of economies of scale.
Current cloud solutions include hot, warm and cold site options, depending on the frequency of backup and the number of locations data is backed up to. In order to choose the ideal solution for your business, look at your requirements, recovery metrics and discuss with an IT consultant.
Here are some more resources to help you with moving to the cloud: