Over the last decade or so, cloud computing has become one of the fastest-growing sectors in the entire IT and computer industry. Today, more firms than ever are coming to recognize the huge benefits a move to cloud computing can bring and are migrating in their droves to the new technology.
Indeed, by 2028 experts predict the global cloud computing market could be worth a staggering amount of $1,251.09 billion representing a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of around 19%.
If your firm is still debating whether to move your digital services to a cloud service provider, below are just a few convincing ways cloud tech could transform how (and also where) your company operates.
What is cloud computing?
Before considering the reasons why your business should outsource its IT to a third-party cloud provider, it would perhaps be an idea to study what cloud companies do and give a brief idea of how the tech works.
Cloud computing is generally described as any computing service that is handled remotely, typically delivered over the internet. These services can encompass anything from delivering processing power to enhanced storage or running applications.
Providers usually deliver these services on an on-demand basis, often at prepackaged, tiered rates which helps their customers streamline costs and avoid the headache and overhead of running in-house IT networks.
You likely already use cloud services
Perhaps without realizing it, it’s very likely you already use some form of a cloud computing platform in your personal or business life. Systems like Google Photos, Spotify and Netflix rely on cloud tech to deliver their storage and streaming services.
Indeed, as far back as 2016, Netflix moved its entire operations to cloud servers while Google Photos has always relied on the tech. The Google Photos service also provides a good example of how cloud tech works.
Google Photos – a perfect example of cloud tech in action
With Google’s photo cloud storage service, the images you take on your cellphone (or upload from your desktop) are sent to Google’s massive servers over the internet. This, in turn, means you can free up storage space on your local device – for example, have you ever had that prompt to delete photos from your phone? Google Photos also gives the added security that, if something happens to your device, your photos will still be safely backed up.
However, Google’s service isn’t just limited to being an online cloud storage facility. Rather, by using clever Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems and apps, Google Photos offers the ability for image sorting by people, faces, phototypes, objects, and so on.
Also, users can enhance photos using automated editing tools that allow for cropping, realignment, touch-ups and improvements to color.
The Google Photos service is a perfect example of cloud tech at work, with the processing grunt and storage all handled remotely on Google’s machines. By using the cloud, users can access Google’s tools from even the lowest-powered handheld, yet still achieve the same results by drawing on the power and storage of the remote servers.
Cloud Applications in business
If you expand the example above, you can probably see just how beneficial cloud services can be to firms. While the advantages will vary from business to business, there are some core benefits to be gained from moving your IT to the cloud, including:
Reduced cost:
IT networks don’t come cheap, and the costs involved in purchasing the hardware and software can put a considerable drain on company finances. However, by moving to a cloud company, you offload these expenses to your provider.
Moreover, the ongoing costs of running and maintaining the network are also pushed to the cloud provider – as are expenses involved in keeping kit up to date.
A level playing field with access to the best tech:
As outlined in the last point, setting up and running internal networks used to be prohibitively expensive for many firms.
This resulted in larger, more profitable firms having a considerable competitive edge above their smaller counterparts.
By reducing the cost of access to cutting-edge tech, cloud computing has largely leveled the playing field giving all companies the same access to the best, more modern and fastest tech.
Best-in-class security provision and support:
Industry analysts suggest cybercrime is now the greatest threat facing businesses globally and a recent study found that the majority of corporate IT managers expect to be hit by a cyberattack in the next six months.
No matter how big or small your company is, if you operate in any capacity online (and, let’s face it, what firm doesn’t these days?), then you stand at risk of an attack. Cloud companies employ best-in-class security experts with Google Cloud certification or similar training on other platforms to mitigate the risks. Best of all, this security provision is there to protect you 24/7/365.
Automated Backups:
A professional cloud provider will take automated backups of your most important company data which can be reinstalled should the very worst happen and you find yourself the victim of an attack.
Adaptability and scalability:
No business stands still and it’s quite likely your IT requirements vary from month to month – or even week to week. From staff leaving to landing larger projects, there are a plethora of ways that the demands on your IT provision can change over time.
In the old in-house model, this meant firms constantly trying to second-guess market trends – often resulting in over-investment in tech that then sat redundant or misreading the signs and finding their operations stretched when they got busier.
However, with a cloud computing provider on-side, upgrading or downgrading your IT is as simple as making a call to your helpdesk.
Flexibility and the dawn of a truly mobile workforce:
By storing your important corporate files and running vital business software remotely, you’ll empower your workers to be able to work in any location they can find an internet connection.
When you consider the vast majority of people now have cell phones, in reality, this means pretty much anywhere. Also, you’ll be able to offer your staff the increased flexibility of working from home, as well as reducing expenses on rent, rates, in-house hardware and utility bills.