While some organisations are still afraid of moving their organisation into the cloud, many have jumped on the cloud computing bandwagon with products such as Gmail, Hotmail and Yahoo. Browser-based email was your first introduction to cloud based computing many years ago, although you probably didn’t realise it.
A cloud-based future is already here in a big way, and organisations may have even more to gain from cloud computing than some larger corporations.
What are you waiting for with so many organisations moving to the cloud? Why is cloud computing so popular?
It’s simply because cloud computing improves productivity, increases efficiency, improves cash flow and offers a range of cost-saving, time-saving benefits. Cloud takes the IT out of IT.
A survey by Frost & Sullivan found that organisations that invested in cloud collaboration technology saw a 400% return on investment. How much will your organisation save, and how much will your productivity improve?
Here is a good look at the top nine reasons why you should consider moving IT operations to the cloud. These have been put together with help from Gordon Tan.
1. Reduction of capital investment and smaller running costs
The biggest advantage of cloud-based applications is the fact that you only pay for what you use. In addition to this, you don’t have the massive capital expenses once required to deploy local systems. If your number of users increases, you only pay for those extra users. At the same time, if your team numbers drop, you can scale back the cost of your cloud computing applications.
The advantage of minimal investment and much lower running costs becomes very evident when you gain funding and are required to take over an existing project team from another provider. New users can be immediately assimilated into your current cloud-based applications.
2. Scalability advantages
While scalability within cloud computing is a big benefit, it is important to look at a comparison between cloud-based applications and traditional local systems. For example, if you have just been asked to upgrade and increase the capacity and functions of your current local system, you have a lot of work to do. Hardware purchases are the least of your problems as you need to manage licensing and configuration, and perhaps even hire expensive consultants. Cloud computing providers handle all aspects of the hardware, software and support you will need. This means that all the upgrades that you need to scale or even double the number of users are now not your responsibility.
For example, you might have a team of 10 working off your IT environment. You then win funding and need to immediately create a special team that increases your staff to 30. With cloud, you can easily upgrade and scale infrastructure and software so that the 20 new employees can get quickly up and running.
3. Automatic upgrades and perpetual maintenance
Upgrading a traditional system can often be a big hassle. Each machine needs to have software reinstalled and periodically maintained. Cloud-based applications are upgraded, managed and maintained by your cloud services provider. Not only do you save on the cost of upgrades and maintenance, you save on the cost of the downtime as a result of the manual upgrade process. Cloud service providers can often schedule updates with minimal impact to your organisation and with less downtime. Your staff will love that they won’t be affected.
4. Increased and unlimited mobility
With your applications being safely stored away with your cloud service provider, all you need is a browser and Internet connection to access all your software applications anywhere, at any time. Picture your staff accessing and inputting important information while onsite at a client’s location, or a care worker entering notes whilst sitting with a family - this is a reality when you move to the cloud.
Related: Learn how cloud mobility can increase staff productivity
5. Game-changing disaster recovery processes and capabilities
There are two types of people in this world. There are those who have lost data, and there are those who will lose data. Maintaining constant backups is required with traditional systems. They are time-consuming and extremely costly. Organisations that have chosen to move to the cloud don’t have any of these issues, because once again, backups and disaster recovery is the full responsibility of your cloud services provider.
An excellent way cloud service providers can manage the safety of your data was demonstrated when Hurricane Sandy smashed New York in 2013. Cloud service providers used multiple locations to move their client’s data away as far as Los Angeles to keep full services protected and operating. That is more than disaster recovery, it’s total disaster avoidance, and certainly impossible for a small organisation without cloud computing.
A study by Aberdeen Group found that organisations using cloud computing could resolve their issues on average four times faster than organisations not using cloud-based software. That is two hours compared to eight hours, or a full working day turning into a costly disaster.
How many hours of lost productivity could you save by moving to the Cloud?
6. Become a technology leader
As soon as you make a purchase of a local system, it starts to age. Often, after five years it must be completely replaced. Because cloud computing solutions get new features and updates every year, they will continue to keep your organisation at the forefront of technological developments.
Many organisations are "technology laggards" at the time of our first visit. Often, their systems have grown organically over time and things are pieced together with Excel sheets and Access databases. We then work together to bring them forward and leverage technology as a competitive advantage. But most importantly, cloud computing is what allows them to stay at the forefront of technology improvements.
7. Increased security
Have you wondered how many laptops, mobile phones, tablets and desktops get stolen each year? In most cases, it is not the device that holds the most value; it’s the information that is stored on them. This threat can be reduced by using cloud-based applications. Since nothing is stored on your hardware and all the information is in the cloud, no one will be able to access it if a laptop or mobile device is stolen.
Furthermore, cloud service providers specialise in keeping your information safe and private. This means that they often have enterprise security in place that is hundreds of times more secure than a typical small business. It is this guarantee they provide that keeps them in business.
Related: 6 ways to improve data security in your organisation
8. Increased collaboration between your people
Cloud-based applications are often designed to encourage team members to work more effectively than in the past. Collaboration on projects will boom once you have a platform for your people to work together, no matter where they are in the country.
Increased collaboration and smoother cooperation between your people is a direct benefit you can achieve by moving to the cloud. In effect, cloud computing applications enhance the potential of your people and bring their minds together.
Related: 3 collaboration tools that can improve productivity
9. Increased competitiveness
The cloud gives small and medium-sized organisations the ability to utilise systems similar to the biggest players in any industry. Cloud computing allows you to present your organisation in the same league as much larger organisations. Since you are only renting ‘usage’ from cloud providers, you are in essence renting top-of-the-range infrastructure and software.
No longer do you have barriers to entry with technology. You get the same beneficial customer relationship tools as the Fortune 500, and the same accounting packages as the ASX 200. It’s all possible with the cloud.