3 Benefits of Cloud Computing

More and more businesses are realizing the benefits of cloud computing. According to McAfee, 93% of organizations are currently using cloud services. Cost savings has always been a big motivator to switch to the cloud, but today businesses are recognizing benefits beyond cost savings.

You’re probably using the cloud more often than you realize. For example, if you’re updating your status on Facebook or using an online service to send and receive emails, you’re using the cloud.

Cloud computing is using the internet for computing services - such as servers, storage, networking, software, and more. Instead of downloading applications and software onto your computer or local server, you can access them online. Instead of storing all your documents on a single computer or local server, you’re saving them on the internet.

There are three types of cloud deployment: public cloud (owned and operated by a third-party), private cloud (cloud computing resources used by a single organization), and hybrid cloud (a combination of public and private clouds). According to McAfee, hybrid cloud is becoming the cloud type of choice.

In 2015, 19% of companies used a hybrid cloud, and by 2016, that number rose to 57%. However, which one is best for your business is based on a lot of different factors such as the type of business application, your technical expertise, and your business requirements.

Cost savings continue to be one of the main reasons businesses – particularly small to medium-sized companies – are turning to cloud computing.

1.Buying the hardware and software for an enterprise-level IT infrastructure is a significant capital expense. A public cloud allows the cost of infrastructure to be shared among many users.

2.With a subscription-based cloud computing model, you can pay as you go, without a significant outlay of funds up front, and as your need for bandwidth changes, you can scale your cloud capacity, so you’re only paying for what you need.

3.Plus, you don’t have the costs associated with maintaining an on-site datacenter: 24/7 electricity for power and cooling, software updates (including security), in-house IT expertise, and more.

Cyber criminals are using all kinds of techniques to accessing your data – malware, viruses, Trojan horses, and rogue security software. Small to medium-sized businesses are often targeted because many of them lack the resources or expertise to protect themselves properly.

1.With cloud computing you don’t have to keep up-to-date on the latest security threats because Cloud computing suppliers take care of software updates including security updates for you. You can rest easy knowing that your data is protected by the newest security software available.

2.Lost laptops are costing businesses millions of dollars every year, and it isn’t just the replacement of the hardware. It’s replacement of software and important (sometimes sensitive) data. With cloud computing, you don’t have to worry about the data stored on a laptop getting into the wrong hands (or being lost forever) because the data is stored in the cloud, not on an individual computer.

3.A disaster recovery plan should be a part of every business. Cloud computing allows businesses to implement cloud-based backup and recovery solutions without a large upfront investment.

1.With the cloud, if an employee has internet access, he or she can work from anywhere – home, the airport, a hotel room, etc. - and access, edit, and share documents. This ability to share documents allows for increased employee collaboration and improved work-flow.

2.Also, studies show that more employees value flexible working environments that can help them create a better work/life balance (sometimes above pay rates). The flexibility cloud computing provides can improve employee morale resulting in happier and more productive employees.

The flexibility and reliability of the cloud can help take your organization to the next level, and Eberly Systems can help determine the best cloud solution for your business. We're a a Microsoft Silver Partner for “Cloud Productivity”. We offer a variety of integrated cloud services such as Microsoft Office 365, File Sync and Share, Web Hosting, and more. Plus, we provide training for your staff. So contact us online, or give us a call at (610) 374-4049 .