Whether you realize it or not, you're probably already using the cloud every day. If you've ever used Google or another search engine; social media like Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter; Gmail, Hotmail and other free e-mail services; e-mail broadcasting services; online surveys; or online banking, ATMs and any credit or debit card machine, you've used the cloud. Think about it - what is Google Search other than a big, free cloud app? When you need to find something online, you use your web browser to tap into the vast data centers and computing power Google has to find information on just about anything in seconds. There's no way you could have that type of computing power on your own laptop or server. Every time you process a credit card or take money out of an ATM, the entire transaction - your entire financial history - is processed on a server somewhere. That's cloud computing. It's a good thing the cloud can also be a secure place. But if you've already got a server and network set up, what are the benefits to moving to the cloud?
- Lowers hardware costs - servers need to be updated at regular intervals, with hefty price tags each time, and they need to be the right size for the number of people using them. In the cloud, your "server" is as large or as small as you need it to be, when you need it. Like with your electricity, you pay for what you use, and you can tailor your employees' computers to their job with a very inexpensive computer or a thin client, extending the lifecycle of the computers you use.
- Lowers IT support costs - since your computers are in the cloud and maintained, they are less likely to get infected with viruses, malware, or spyware, and they're always running at peak performance since you're always using a new computer from a software point of view.
- Frees you to access your files and applications from any device - your desktop no longer lives on one computer; with it in the cloud you can access the same desktop with all of its programs and files on most devices - desktop computers, laptops, iPads and tablets, and smart phones.
- Access your data anywhere, anytime - your desktop with all of its documents and programs is available wherever you need it; all you need is a device and internet access.
- Built-in disaster recovery and business continuity - if disaster strikes your office, or even if it just loses internet or power, your information is safe and you don't have to be at a standstill. Continuing your work is as easy as moving someplace else with internet and power, even at home or a coffee shop.
Of course each company is unique, so call us to find out if moving to the cloud is right for your business. We can provide you an ROI assessment on how cloud computing might significantly lower your IT costs while providing strategic workflow and operational benefits not offered by traditional computer networks.
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