Operating Your Business Within a Virtual Office
With the impact of COVID-19, we have included some support and guidance to ensure you can continue to operate effectively through remote working.
Throughout the digital age, there has been a vast range of technological innovations that create new opportunities and provide the means for businesses to reach new levels of success, one of which is cloud computing.
Published on
19th March 2020
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6 You undoubtedly will have heard the term "cloud" in recent years and will likely use it already in one form or another. But what are the benefits of cloud computing? For businesses, moving to the cloud offers many advantages that were once only available to large companies who could afford bespoke IT systems. In this post, we'll take a look at six of the key benefits of cloud computing.
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1. Software Solutions with Easy Access
In the past, businesses had to purchase and manage computers and servers to run software. This practice required a more substantial financial investment to cover the cost of equipment and labour. Therefore, for many years it was only bigger companies who could take full advantage of the influx of modern technology.
By moving to the cloud, businesses have access to some of the most powerful software and infrastructures available, regardless of location and without the need to buy servers. Cloud computing allows you to access applications over the internet, so your service provider will have all of the necessary equipment on hand.
Most cloud-based applications run through standard desktop and mobile web browsers, although some have dedicated apps. With the cloud, you can build a team of your sectors best professionals from all over the world.
2. Flexible and Scalable Service
Cloud computing is the perfect solution for managing fluctuating demand. Before cloud computing, companies with on-premise systems needed to buy server and equipment upgrades to suit the needs of new users. These days, when a company is looking to hire new employees, all you need to do is log into your online account to add users —one of the key benefits of cloud computing.
Similarly, cloud computing allows you to scale everything from processing power to bandwidth, which ensures you always have the resources needed to grow. Not only this, but you can also scale down your service during off-peak periods to cut costs.
3. Automation and Increased Output
Cloud computing provides small businesses with the automation needed to improve operations. For example, think about how automation has benefitted manufacturers by substantially increasing output while cutting several costs.
Automating digital tasks nullifies unnecessary data entry time, saving time and reducing errors. It's for this reason you have a genuine opportunity to grow your business without having to increase your payroll. As we mentioned above, only large organisations could afford this style of technology. Now, it's available to the masses thanks to the cloud.
4. Vital Tool for Remote Work
One of the most significant benefits of cloud computing is it allows your team to access, edit and share documents using their computer or mobile device — no matter where they are in the world. This means both in-house and remote employees can collaborate on projects to save time and massively improve the quality of the work.
We live in an era where remote work is becoming more common and appealing when compared to conventional employment. The rise of small businesses, as well as freelancing, shows no signs of slowing down, and the cloud is one of the crucial reasons why these professionals can find success.
5. Enhanced Security and Automatic Updates
By running your software from in-house servers, you are responsible for implementing IT security and keeping on top of maintenance tasks. You also need to consider the danger of cyber attacks, so it's essential to secure and monitor your network to protect yourself from hackers.
Cloud computing provides more efficient methods of security because a service provider manages all the necessary maintenance and security duties at their end — meaning you have peace of mind knowing your software is always up-to-date and your security needs are being watched over by a professional.
6. Backups and Data Recovery
In most cases, setting up an in-house system for backing up data requires a lot of time and money. So, unfortunately, it tends to be a luxury that only large firms can afford. Therefore, if there is a hard drive malfunction or data is lost because of technical or security issues, smaller companies have no chance of recovering the data.
With cloud computing, backups and disaster recovery are simple because service providers have systems in place that protect against hardware failure. Also, cloud providers perform routine backups to ensure you have a good chance of surviving cyber attacks.
