The internet has completely revolutionized how (and where) firms operate these days; however, there is one particular facet of web technology that has come to the fore in recent years – namely, the concept of cloud computing.
Cloud computing refers to any form of computer service that is performed remotely, most often delivered over the internet. Cloud computing platforms have the power to completely transform what even the lowest-powered device can accomplish by drawing on the power, storage, and processing potential of vastly more robust machines.
The Growth of Cloud-Based Services & the Advantages they Bring
Although you possibly don’t realize it, you likely make use of cloud-based services already. For example, popular apps like Dropbox, Google Drive, Netflix, and Twitter use cloud tech to power their platforms. Indeed, the sector is now one of the fastest-growing in the entire computer industry – and it shows absolutely no signs of slowing.
Here are just a few ways cloud computing is changing business and heralding a new and exciting age of web-based apps and services:
Reduced IT Costs: It wasn’t so very long ago that firms looking to integrate IT with their operations would have had to spend heavily on in-house technology and hardware to set up Wide Area and Local Area Networks (WANs and LANs). Using cloud tech, firms can now use the existing infrastructure offered by cloud providers to access global networks that can see their employees working from any location they can find an internet connection – which means pretty much anywhere these days considering the prevalence of connected mobile devices – and all at a fraction of the cost of running their own networks.
Flexibility & Scalability: The digital transformation of business is already well underway and firms these days need to be more agile than ever to adapt to ever-changing market conditions and transforming landscapes. Using a cloud service provider, companies can upgrade or downgrade every aspect of their IT services – from storage space to processing power and apps.
Making Staff Truly Mobile & Improving Collaborative Working: Many would argue the iPhone revolutionized mobile computing and the idea of working remotely – however, in truth, our gadgets are just one small part of the mobile transformation. Cloud networking and applications allow staff to be truly mobile by empowering collaborative working in a centralized hub with data shared in real-time across all employees and departments. Not only that, cloud providers strategically place their services in locations to reduce latency and increase connection speeds. So, for example, if your firm operates in the US, you might choose to partner with a cloud provider that has a Denver data center to give the best overall country-wide access.
Vastly Improved Security: For most firms, data is at the heart of their operations. If a firm falls victim to a security breach, it doesn’t just run the risk of legal or fiscal punishment, it will also likely suffer damage to reputation that can, in many cases, prove impossible to recover from. Worse yet, most companies also hold client details on file, meaning their customers will also likely encounter problems. Cloud providers treat client data like it was their own – but have considerably more powerful and advanced resources at hand to ensure its protection and security.
