Data storage and access have long been a concern for businesses. A ton of data is created daily, and efficient storage is a must to keep track of everything. Physical storage has been the norm, but many businesses are opting to switch to cloud-based IT solutions instead. Cloud-based solutions simply provide numerous benefits that can’t be obtained with physical storage and standard IT solutions. Some of the top benefits of switching to cloud-based include the following.
Better Efficiency With Reduced Costs
Cloud computing allows for more efficient storage for businesses. With the right enterprise architecture software, there’s no need to purchase expensive physical storage solutions to store data. Plus, downtime is rare, so this can help reduce costs as well. With a more than 99% uptime average, businesses know they will always have access to their data. Along with these cost savings, cloud computing typically offers various payment plans, so it’s possible to only pay for the features that will be used.
Increased Data Security
Security is crucial for businesses, and that includes the data. A data breach can cause catastrophic damages for a business, depending on what data is stolen or hacked. Cloud-based options provide better security. If anything does happen, the business is able to recover the data within just a few hours. Very few businesses can restore the data for their business in a short amount of time. Most likely, without cloud access, it can take a day or longer to restore everything.
Easy Scalability for the Business
The goal of every business is to grow. With that comes the need for scalability. Businesses must be able to scale up their storage and IT solutions to meet the increasing demand of new customers as the company grows. With traditional IT solutions, this takes time to do. Cloud-based IT solutions are incredibly easy to scale, so it’s possible to grow quickly and keep up with the demand of new customers. Scalability with cloud-based solutions is less expensive since there’s no need to purchase physical servers or storage and can be done instantly, providing the business with a way to stay competitive with other companies.
Improved Collaboration
Teams need to be able to work together to be successful. What happens when one team member needs to be out of the office for the day? How’s the collaboration going to work if team members need to meet in person or on the phone to get things done? Cloud-based solutions make it easier to collaborate. Team members can reach each other easily, can share documents and make changes instantly, and can make sure everything shared is secure. With easier collaboration, teams can get more done, can get the work done faster, and can work together without issue.
Easily Update Software
Software needs to be updated regularly to improve security, make sure everything works properly, and to take advantage of the latest features. Typically, updating software needs to be done manually to prevent issues or has to be done after hours, and if there is a problem, it could be difficult to fix quickly. When the software is stored in the cloud, however, it’s easier to keep everything updated. Employees won’t have to worry about whether the software they’re using needs to be updated since it’s already done.
More Sustainable Option
Energy consumption is at an all-time high, and a lot of energy is consumed by businesses. This is unsustainable and does long-term damage to the environment. Cloud-based solutions, on the other hand, are more sustainable. There’s no longer a need for physical storage, saving significant amounts of energy. Using the cloud can also help cut down on paper waste, allow easier access to information for employees no matter where they are, and can help reduce transportation-related environmental concerns because employees can work from home and still get everything done.
Improve Accessibility
Today, more businesses are opting to let employees work from home at least part of the time. This provides more flexibility for employees who may need to take personal time to get things done if they can’t work from home. With cloud-based solutions, everything is still accessible for employees that are working from their home office. The employees can get to everything they might need for their job, so they can be home and still work. Though there may still be some times when coming into the office is required, employees often appreciate the flexibility of being able to work from home with ease.
Today, many businesses are opting to switch to cloud-based solutions. With so many benefits, this is a transition that just makes sense. If you haven’t adopted cloud-based solutions for your business yet, it’s time to look into what you can do with the cloud and how it can help your business grow and thrive.