Cloud computing has emerged as an important tool for businesses, especially since the effects of the pandemic and the rise of hybrid work. A Centrify and CensusWide survey revealed that before COVID, many companies had no plans to fully migrate to the cloud, however, after 2020 – 48% of businesses expressed intentions to fully move to cloud networks and digitise their processes.
These results are unsurprising since outdated legacy systems are no longer able to keep up with the need for more agile workforces and the sheer amounts of data being shared. Cloud technology allows for all new opportunities, including easier access to systems and faster business networks. But how does this actually work?
What is the cloud?
When using the cloud, your software, apps and service operations all exist on the internet rather than on a remote server. With these functions existing in virtual environments, you’re able to access your back-end architecture remotely, meaning that any staff member with an internet connection (and the right permissions) is able to gain entry to your systems, programs and small business network. This in turn can streamline operations, improving capabilities around data storage, web hosting, and application deployment.
5 reasons businesses are moving to the cloud
Whether you want to improve your network infrastructure or help facilitate better business connections, migration to the cloud could be the answer you’re looking for. Let’s uncover why so many small businesses are making the change.
1. More agile and productive working teams
When your business is able to access files from more places, whether that be in the office, at home, or on the road, it allows for better business continuity. The flexibility of cloud computing platforms can mean easier connections between your employees, customers and shareholders, and helps bring your teams together within a remote working environment.
Plus, with automatic syncing and storing, your teams can access centrally stored files. This helps provide greater visibility, which means you can improve collaboration and produce higher-quality work. By eliminating the need to send emails and files back and forth, your team can access what they need and save time without having to wade through a mix of versions and file formats. Real time updates can be made within the document, and files can be shared instantly, removing hurdles to productivity.
With the added benefit of automated software updates, your bottom line can benefit from more time spent on the things that matter.
2. Reduces costs
The use of the cloud can remove the need to pay for on-site servers or even off-site data centres. Maintenance expenses for your on-premise servers can add up over time thanks to the costs of the hardware itself, power consumption, and the physical space it occupies. Likewise, the rent you pay to keep your data in off-site centres can have an unnecessary impact on your bottom line.
Cloud computing platforms can help to reduce these costs, and the subscription-based model can be much easier on your cashflow. It can also mean you remove the need to spend on network hardware refreshes every 3-5 years.
Plus, the scalability of the cloud means you can more easily increase or decrease your resources according to the demand or the growth of your business. You don’t need to pay for unnecessary bandwidths for your network infrastructure when your workforce is smaller, or suffer from latency with unexpected growth occurs.
3. Simplified data recovery
In today’s business landscape, a robust data recovery plan has become increasingly important. Not only because the loss of this data in an outage could impact operations, but also because the capabilities of cyber criminals are at an all-time high, increasing the threat to your data.
Cloud computing platforms have fail-safes in place that allow you to more easily recover in the event of a disaster, helping you to maintain your continuity. Thanks to regular backups, your information can be kept up-to-date and you don’t have the added expense of paying for data recovery services to help get back on track.
4. Improved security
When your data exists on the cloud, it can be better protected by cyber security technologies previously most likely inaccessible by small business budgets. With high quality encryption and frequent updates that provide improved patches, it means your data can be safer in the cloud than it would likely be with traditional server hosting. This also helps to remove the risk of your data being compromised by physical dangers, like floods, fires, or break ins.
Plus, customised cloud infrastructure can include other security functions and tools to help keep everything safer. This includes VPNs, threat intelligence, multi-factor identification, and next-gen firewall.
5. Better visibility of your data
Storing your data on the cloud can provide you with business insights that can help lead towards more well-informed decision making. Cloud analytics can identify patterns, attempt to predict future outcomes, and provide other useful information based on your stored data. You can gain these insights quickly, and easily share them with your staff. This can help you understand the next steps you should be taking as an organisation, and point you towards opportunities you might not have previously predicted.
Discover TBTC QLD South Coast’s cloud solutions
The team from TBTC QLD South Coast can assist you as you migrate your business to the cloud. We’ll get to know your organisation, then help you identify the best cloud computing platform to suit your specific needs. From there, we’ll help you transition fully and recommend tech solutions that have you making the most of your cloud computing platforms. Talk to us today, and let’s get solving.
