How can the cloud support your business?

Every business has a lot of files, data and information that they need to store, and for most, things like flexibility, convenience and security have to be top of their list of priorities when it comes to doing this. That is why cloud computing is now the first choice for most businesses.

There are a lot of advantages to using cloud computing, and it can provide great support for your business, so the team here at RoundWorks IT have compiled a list of ways the cloud can support your business…

What is cloud computing?

In the past, most digital files will have been saved on drives that could either be lost, stolen or corrupted. Cloud computing changes all of this, by giving businesses data storage and processing over the internet.

This is often paid for on a pay-as-you-go service, and the price is dependent on the applications that you use and the size of the storage that you need. The providers of the cloud usually offer extremely high levels of security, and the option provides more flexibility than any previous solutions.

Cloud computing is most commonly used for data storage purposes. This allows you to share files securely and sync files across devices by storing them all in an offsite cloud system. The cloud can also provide backup services that can protect you in the event of a server failure, cyber attacks or some other form of data loss. It is also possible to make use of the cloud for hosting purposes for email services, website and database hosting, information sharing and data storage.

Easily accessible

One of the big advantages of cloud hosting and storage is that it is easily accessible. As everything is stored offsite, all you need is the appropriate login and security details to access anything that you need. This allows for any type of flexible working models, as you will still be able to view and use everything no matter where you are.

Flexible scaling

When investing in new technology, it can be hard to know what package to opt for, as you don’t want to outgrow it, but it still needs to be manageable when your business is small. Cloud computing is a great solution due to the flexibility that it offers.

You can sign up to the services that you require at the time, safe in the knowledge that as your business grows and changes you can adjust the size of the storage that you need or the number of users with access to applications at a moment's notice. This can usually be done with the click of a few buttons, and as you only pay for what you use, you do not need to worry about wastage.

Protects against disasters

In the devastating event of a flood or fire, your business stands to lose a lot more than property. If paper files or computer equipment is destroyed in the event, then the loss of data that you stand to lose could be the greatest cost of all for your business.

However, if cloud computing is in use, then you will still be able to access everything. This means that you can relocate your business or start again, knowing that you have all of your important data at your fingertips.

Restoring data

Whether you suffer a power surge, hardware failure or natural disaster, the cloud can help to keep your business online. As all of your data is stored offsite, you have the peace of mind that there will be plenty of backups available to be able to restore your data or your website and get things running again quickly and securely.

Productivity

We are all looking for ways in which we can be more productive, and the cloud is something which is able to support this. It allows for immediate access to the most current business information, and as everything is interlinked, it can make it much easier to identify trends and patterns, find out what works for your business and where your inefficiencies lie.

Cost-effective

The cost-of-living crisis has hit many businesses as hard as it has hit households, and so everyone is having to be careful with what they spend. The cloud is a great way to watch the pennies as it provides everything that you need without the expense of buying and maintaining hardware.

Initial investments in cloud computing tend to be much smaller than creating your own in-house infrastructure and IT team, and it can be built up gradually in line with the growth of your business, ensuring that the cost always remains manageable. It also means that you can reduce your costs quickly and easily if you need to downgrade your services at any point.

Consistency

We work in a modern world where we can work together as a team from multiple locations. With more and more employees working remotely, it is important to have a system in place that allows for consistency amongst a scattered workforce.

The cloud means that multiple team members can all work on the same digital file, knowing that its central location ensures that the data is automatically synced between all of the relevant devices. Anyone who accesses the file will be able to see the most up-to-date version, and this can minimise the risk of mistakes or confusion.

Security

The data that your business holds can be its most valuable asset, so it is important that you take all reasonable steps to keep this safe. Hardware can be extremely vulnerable to theft, loss and misuse, and so it can be a risky way to store something that is so important to your business.

The encryption technology used by cloud providers means that your data is kept safe, even if cybercriminals intercept it when it is sent to and from your devices. Whilst nothing can offer you the guarantee of complete security, cloud computing offers far better security than anything you are likely to be able to set up within your own business.

Cloud computing offers your business incredible peace of mind, and a flexibility in the way you work that will give your business the freedom to grow.