Cloud computing offers numerous advantages to business users, the most notable one being the ability to access data on any device with an Internet connection. It allows any kind of data to be stored remotely and retrieved from anywhere. In today’s world, having access to your data whenever and wherever you need it is becoming more important than ever before.
Cloud-based environments provide a nearly limitless range of functionality. Some services allow file storage and collaboration on projects, others give you the opportunity to run applications remotely just like you were in the office. There are even cloud-based services that serve you with a remote desktop, which can be particularly useful if you need to remotely run Windows applications on a device using another platform, like a Mac or an Android tablet.
As your data is accessible on any device, cloud computing lets you easily sync files across desktops, laptops, and mobile devices. That way, you’ll always have access to up-to-date information, no matter whether you’re in the office or not.
Many businesses have noticed the numerous benefits of cloud computing and are taking action to move some of their IT resources to the cloud. However, before you make this decision, there are several things you need to consider. Here are five important questions you should ask yourself first:
1. Do I Have A Reliable Internet Connection?
While many businesses depend on their Internet connection, using cloud services makes having highly reliable and fast Internet access essential. If the Internet connection at your business location is slow or suffers from reliability problems like regular outages, making the move to the cloud may not be in your company’s best interests. Remember that as your data will be stored remotely, losing access to the Internet will also mean you lose access to all of your files on the cloud.
Another factor to consider is the reliability of cloud providers. Even the best ones have occasionally had outages or other technical problems. This is why you should carefully assess what the impact of losing access to your data, even for a short period of time, will be.
2. Is Cloud Computing Cost Effective?
The costs associated with cloud computing vary depending on the service you use and the service provider. If you’re a small business with just a few users, you can even find providers offering free cloud-based services, such as file storage, collaboration, hosted applications, and more.
With cloud computing, you save on the cost of IT infrastructure and paying upfront for software licenses, which can be highly advantageous for smaller businesses that don’t have the resources to run certain services in-house.
Building an in-house Intranet can be very expensive, as you’ll need to acquire servers and networking equipment, as well as maintain them. However, depending on the specific services you use, building an in-house solution may be more cost-effective in the long run.
One important factor to consider is that if you use cloud servers, uploading data to the cloud is free, but providers typically give you a certain bandwidth allowance for outgoing transfers and charge you a per GB fee if you go over it.
3. Will My Data Be Safe?
If your business regularly deals with sensitive information, you need to carefully assess the security implications of using cloud computing. Larger enterprises with their own IT department may find that keeping their data in-house is the most secure solution. On the other hand, small business without a dedicated IT team can benefit from security solutions offered by cloud providers.
In any case, you have to remember that when you use cloud computing, you trust a third-party provider with the security of your data. For this reason, it’s always a good idea to review the privacy, security, and data backup policies of any cloud service you use before moving data to the cloud.
4. How Does It Impact Team Performance?
Cloud computing can have a positive impact on collaboration and teamwork by allowing all of your team members to work together on projects, no matter where they are, as long as they have access to the Internet. As everyone has access to the information they need to do their job, even if they’re out of the office, your business can function more efficiently as communication and sharing are made convenient.
If you’re looking to improve efficiency and productivity in your company, the cloud gives you the opportunity to eliminate redundant processes. As the IT resources running your applications and storing your data are managed by an external provider, you’ll get more time to devote to your core business functions.
5. How to Evaluate Cloud Service Providers?
No matter what you plan on using the cloud for, it’s important that you carefully assess and evaluate the providers you select. Things to consider include their size and reputation, reviews from previous customers, the functions they offer, whether your staff will need any additional training before using their services, as well as their pricing and billing practices.
Another important element to look at is how the provider handles data backup and storage. It’s always better to choose a provider that makes it easy for you to move your data in-house or to another cloud-based resource if it becomes necessary.
Conclusion
Cloud computing has a lot of offer to today’s businesses. You can use cloud-based services to store and retrieve your data, remotely run applications, collaborate on projects with staff that is out of the office, and a whole lot more. However, there are some important questions you need to answer before making the move to the cloud in order to avoid potential problems.
