Companies are moving further into cloud environments and removing themselves from physical ones. According to A State of the Cloud report, 84% of surveyed companies now claim their IT infrastructure is multi-cloud.
Moving from managing physical servers to cloud-based systems is a big move for many businesses. However, the Cloud offers many benefits and promises seamless growth as technology continues to evolve. If you haven’t already made the move, this article will highlight what the Cloud does and how it could benefit your business.
What is the Cloud?
The Cloud is a server architecture located outside of your organization. What does that mean, exactly? Instead of having your server within a room of your physical location, the Cloud is a server your business can access digitally while the physical placement is handled by your provider, along with the care and management.
The server of a company can symbolize the brain of your network. All applications and files live there, and your business constantly interacts with them. But with cyber threats on the rise, having a server placed in your business’s actual location may not be the most secure option for your organization.
What are the Benefits of Moving to the Cloud?
By having your organization’s server on the property, you are responsible for maintaining hardware and securing the actual room it’s placed in, which also involves the supervision of who goes in and out of the room. By using the Cloud, the server is placed in the location of your provider to manage.
All your business would then need to worry about is interactions with the Cloud, how much you use it, and ultimately the cost of transactions with it. But there are plenty of other benefits of utilizing the Cloud for your business:
Hands-off Management and Data Security of Cloud Solutions for Small Business
If you implement this technology in your small business, cloud software could mean fewer worries about warranties, hardware, cleaning, or temperature management. Therefore, no more concerns about having to pay for those things. Essentially, those tasks fall into the hands of the provider.
Remote Management of Enterprise Cloud Storage Solutions
Without having your server located in a specific spot of your organization’s building, you can technically access the Cloud from anywhere. All you need is an internet connection. To learn more about the benefits of cloud file servers for small businesses, read our blog: Top 7 Cloud Data Storage Systems For Small Businesses
The Cloud Offers Cost Efficiency.
The exact price depends on a multitude of factors. These might include how much it is used per month, how many users are utilizing it, and the overall situation in general.
The Cloud is essentially considered a more budget-friendly and worthwhile option for many businesses rather than a physical server in the office. The Cloud is a server in the hands of professionals, ensuring no surprise maintenance payments or upgrades. It’s a constantly evolving tool, with different features to enhance capabilities such as:
- Managing data in the cloud
- Enhancing security and compliance, such as HIPAA requirements for the cloud
- Sharing files via cloud document management
- Collaborating remotely with ease
What Types of Businesses Typically Use It?
Small to medium businesses are regular users of the Cloud. Larger companies have more applications and users, so they likely need server infrastructures to support everything and ensure proper performance. Smaller businesses, however, typically need their servers for storage reasons.
Many smaller companies utilize cloud based services such as Microsoft 365 with collaborative tools like SharePoint and Teams, which are already cloud-based. The items stored in those applications are going into the Cloud, not living on a server. Most small to medium size organizations don’t have applications that live on a server. Most applications these days have Cloud offerings.
How Can Your Business Get Started Migrating to the Cloud?
One of the first factors Usherwood looks at for setting up a business with a Cloud-based server is your current server environment. Do you have an application that needs to be run from your company server? The deduction is based on your organization’s workflows and what’s best for your business. Next, your software licensing is accessed, and switching your business to tools that pair well with the Cloud begins.
Everything is eventually moved into a cloud infrastructure, deeming the need for a server minuscule. You can use, save, and access anything you need with the Cloud. It’s all based on your software provider environment, and there’s no longer any need to worry over server costs or potential issues.
The Cloud is a beneficial, cost-effective tool that ensures proficient management and convenience for its users. For more information on how to get your business utilizing cloud technology, connect with one of our specialists for a quick tech eval.
