If you were to ask someone what the cloud was five years ago, particularly when it comes to business technology, they may have been unsure how to answer. Now, in 2024, the cloud has become synonymous with the Internet.
Businesses, both large and small, around the world are taking advantage of this unique technology. Cloud computing has become an important pillar of so many organizations, helping them track internal processes, run more efficient operations, and collaborate across departments more effectively.
In short, the cloud has become a near necessity for businesses across many industries, particularly in the tech sector. Whether you are running a startup or a vast corporation, here are a few reasons why implementing the cloud is a major benefit to your organization.
Remote Work
2020 led to a massive shift in how the workforce operates. Businesses were forced to adapt to a lack of in-person workers, and as a result, they discovered that many jobs could be done remotely. This shift was mainly led by changing preferences in the workforce, but no matter the cause, the result was the same. More employees are now open to hybrid or fully remote positions. As such, employers have had to adapt by setting up new infrastructure to accommodate these needs. Cloud computing makes this process a whole lot easier. Since programs are accessed via the Internet and not specific devices, employees can access data and work on these programs no matter where they are located.
Data Sharing
Adopting the cloud is one thing, but maximizing your use of cloud computing is another. One of the primary benefits of the cloud is data-sharing. When you have a larger company, there are many departments. Those departments often have to communicate and collaborate for certain initiatives. Nothing slows down a team more than waiting for specific data to begin part of a project. With cloud computing, data-sharing is far more efficient. Everyone can access the same information no matter what device they are using. No more waiting around for someone to respond to an email that was sent a few days ago.
Reduced Downtime
If you do not employ cloud services, then you may be maintaining your own server network. This can be beneficial for security and access reasons, but it can also hurt productivity. If the server network goes down, your team cannot work until the issue is fixed, which will likely involve calling IT services and waiting for them to show up. When another firm is hosting your server network, it likely has access to greater maintenance resources. Downtime tends to be shorter since their business is cloud hosting. Additionally, these remote servers are more likely to have backup networks that can sustain client operations until the primary network is restored. With fewer maintenance needs and shorter downtimes, your team can be more productive.
Integrating Diverse Tools
Perhaps the biggest advantage that cloud computing has over local networks is its versatility. There are thousands and thousands of business technologies available on the Internet that can make your company more effective. Integrating the various tools you choose creates a more efficient operation. Cloud computing is a great alternative when you want your various online tools to work together. If you have an ERP like NetSuite, then you can integrate many application modules. Firms like getGSI.com can help you integrate your various tools through this ERP, as well as implementation recoveries. When you have all these tools hosted on specific devices, integration is much harder to achieve.
Lowering Costs
If money talks, then cloud computing is louder than most. Maintaining a server network on-premises can be very expensive. It is difficult to gauge growth accurately, so you could end up building a more powerful network than you actually need, resulting in wasted resources. With cloud computing hosts, you simply pay for the computing power you need. If growth occurs and those needs increase, then you just need to upgrade your plan. Since it works like a subscription, the upgrading process is rather simple. Plus, you do not have to worry about paying the extra costs that come with repairs and maintenance needs, as those are both handled by the host.
Take the Lead Into Cloud Computing in 2024
As mentioned previously, many businesses have decided to adopt cloud computing in recent years. The flexibility it offers, as well as the vast army of resources it can grant access to, makes it an appealing option for business owners and executives. Your company can become much more efficient while saving on operating expenses by integrating with the cloud this year. Research the merits of this transition to decide if now is the time for your organization to take the leap.