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The benefits of cloud computing

28th August 2013 Print
Cloud

Cloud computing is a relatively straightforward process where individuals and companies store information and data on the internet. Works is stored remotely and can be accessed by authorized individuals from anywhere. Clouds are giving the data management world a significant overhaul due to their ease-of-use, low cost, and low maintenance. Consider these benefits of cloud computing if you're new to the idea.

They're Flexible

Just like their real-life atmospheric counterparts, cloud networks are not confined to a particular size, shape, or bandwidth. No matter what you or your business' needs, the cloud will conform to whatever shape you tell it to. Business don't need to spend time planning a network's or app's infrastructure, and can instead invest that time and money in developing concrete solutions based on current needs.

Problems Are Handled More Efficiently

Worker

Because you're outsourcing much of the IT and risk management duties, you're less likely to run into problems when using cloud management services. Cloud networks are maintained by some of the brightest minds in the IT world and won't need to wait for your approval or for you to build a disaster response plan whenever things go sour. The Aberdeen Group conducted a 2010 study that showed companies with cloud services recovered from downtime four times faster than those without one, and had 20 percent less incidents per year.

Hassle-Free Software Updates

Circuit board

Again, cloud services are maintained by extremely bright and qualified IT gurus who know the dynamics of the software inside and out. This translates into data management that essentially updates itself, saving you time and money. A typical Systems Administrator who maintains data storage and system updates will cost his or her company $72,850 a year in Toronto. You can avoid that expense for a fraction of the price by switching to cloud computing.

No Capital Expense

No capital expense

A study on IT Pro Portal shows that 86 percent of financial directors report not being able to begin or develop new services and projects "due to the cost of, or constraints within, their IT infrastructure." These issues could most likely be alleviated with cloud computer.

A majority of leading cloud services offer flexible regular payment plans. And again, because of their flexibility, your gross expenses will reflect how long you use the service and to what capacity you use it. In short, it's the pay-as-you-consume model that makes cloud computing so appealing.

Clouds Streamline Collaboration

Family

Cloud services are not only cost- and time-effective, they also cultivate a productive and fruitful spirit of collaboration between everyone involved. Instead of having to hunt and dig around different internal departments for data and information, users have simple, unfettered access to the resources they need.

Plus, the interactivity allows changes and amendments to be made in real-time. A study by Frost & Sullivan revealed that many businesses around the world saw a 400 percent ROI on their collaboration investments.

Mobile Access

BlackBerry

The only thing a person needs to access the cloud is a stable internet connection. Thanks to advances in mobile technology over the past decade, tapping into the cloud can easily be done through a smart phone or tablet regardless of physical location. Cloud services and bring your own device policies work very well. Employees who use devices and platforms they're already familiar with are more likely to contribute to projects efficiently and creatively.

Clouds Are More Secure

Padlock

In the old days before cloud computing, sensitive documents were stored on computers and backed up by hard drives and physical documents. This may still be the case, but consider the fact that around 800,000 laptops are lost or stolen in airports every year.

If private information falls into the wrong hands, you or your business will be in serious trouble. The beauty of cloud computing is that information is stored remotely in very secure locations guarded by a combination of digital protection (firewalls, encryption) and physical protection (guards, facilities). So even if your information is lost or stolen, you'll still be able to access it from the cloud. 

Clouds Are Green

Clouds are green

At least, the digital ones are. Cloud networks are the next evolutionary step that began the paperless trend began. Everything is stored digitally off-site, meaning you don't need to print documents or maintain dedicated servers that drain energy. A study revealed that businesses using cloud networks reduced their energy consumption and carbon emissions by around 30 percent.

It should be clear by now why more businesses and people are flocking to cloud services every day. Efficiently coupled with ease-of-use are the primary reasons why cloud computing is a great decision for anyone.

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Cloud Worker Circuit board No capital expense Family BlackBerry Padlock Clouds are green