‘The Cloud’ and ‘Cloud Computing’ are phrases we hear thrown around more and more in today’s world of technology, but what does it really mean, and how will it benefit your business?
What is the cloud?
‘Cloud’ simply translates to something you access via the internet, this could mean a few things but we’re going to talk about it in a business sense. Not too long ago, physical servers, hard drives, computers, and more were scattered around an office. Nowadays, not so much.Â
A lot of data and information is stored in the cloud and there are actually many benefits to this. Those hard drives we spoke about often needed maintenance and if they broke you were at risk of losing your data and being unable to recover it. Also saving your data has become a lot easier and is almost something we don’t have to think about so much.
The cloud is essentially an intangible hard drive where all your data is stored, so you and your employees can access this ‘hard drive’ whenever and wherever.Â
So not only do they take up less space in your office, but they also help keep your data and files extra safe.
Why is this important for a business?
- It’s secure – One of the main concerns a business should have when it comes to storing data and files is keeping it secure. Having your data stored in the cloud means you can control access a lot better as well as knowing the cloud is a much better way to securely hold data. You are also a lot less likely to lose your data to damaged hardware or not save or update files. A lot of cloud solutions have backups as well as automated saving.Your data that is stored in the cloud is also encrypted, making it a lot harder for cybercriminals to get their hands on it, reducing your risk of phishing, ransomware, and other cyber crimes.
- Cost saving? – The cloud could actually be financially beneficial for your business, without the cost of buying, maintaining, and replacing old-fashioned hardware. It also allows you to only pay for the resources you actually need and use.
- Opportunities for collaboration – Having your files and data stored in the cloud minimises the need for everyone to work together under the same roof. Since the pandemic, it has shown the age of technology we are living in really can allow us to work around the world and still achieve the same level of productivity. The cloud means data can be accessed by your employees (with access) and they can collaborate on work and projects remotely, which is perfect for companies who are tuning into remote and hybrid styles of working.
- Reduce your carbon footprint? – Having your data stored in cloud databases means your company will be using less energy by not running physical servers. Not only will this reduce your energy consumption and therefore, your costs but it’s also beneficial for the planet.
- Recovering your data? – Should you ‘lose’ your data, it is much easier to recover in the cloud than any sort of server/hard drive. With clever backup solutions, it is the easier and most cost-effective way of getting your data back. Of course, nothing is ever 100% certain that it can be recovered, but you have the highest chance when choosing cloud computing.
Overall the benefits of switching to cloud computing for a business are huge. The advantages of extra security, collaboration, reducing your costs, and not to mention the flexibility and scalability that it offers.
Why choose Astaris for your Cloud IT?
Like all other services with Astaris, you have your new IT solution with the added benefit of our unlimited remote helpdesk support. Our team of engineers are always on hand to help with any technical difficulties or queries you may have.
We also monitor your systems for problems so they can be fixed before they affect your business. This means slim-no downtime for you. Â
If your company doesn’t have an internal IT department, choosing Astaris means we can take care of the cloud for you and ensure it is always running at full capacity to give your business the support that it needs.
What are the cons?
Like most things in IT, it isn’t so much the software itself but the person operating it that is going to cause problems. Cloud computing is a very intelligent and advanced technology that requires people with knowledge to make sure it is running properly.
Having it updated, monitored, and implemented correctly by an IT professional who knows what they’re doing is going to eliminate the challenges you may face. The main concern is security, but that’s why it’s so important to have the right IT support provider on hand to make sure it’s being executed correctly.
If you have any questions about moving to the cloud, please get in touch with our friendly team.
