subject: Cloud Computing: Carry Your Organization One Stage Further [print this page] Cloud Computing: Carry Your Organization One Stage Further
Today, cloud computing has grown into part of the business mainstream, yet many small enterprises are still unclear what cloud computing is and, moreover, the way it can benefit their business. Cloud computing, or softwareas a service, is when IT software and services are delivered over the web and through a browser. This transfers the responsibility for IT maintenance, software upgrades, and any system issues onto the service provider, allowing enterprises to focus on their core business instead of their infrastructure. IT professionals have established the next 10 items to consider when getting started in the cloud:
1. Moving to the cloud is straightforward: The transfer of business data into the cloud is quite easy. You don't have to install new hardware or software as it is all totally run through the cloud provider.
2. Cost savings can be above what you anticipate: Companies that move to the cloud can conserve on various levels - IT hardware and software costs are cut massively and much less staff or support resources are required for IT maintenance.
3. Increased efficiency: On the list of key advantages of cloud computing is that staff members can obtain documents and emails from anywhere. If your business requires mobility and flexibility or you have staff members working remotely, the cloud may just be a quick and inexpensive technique for addressing these demands.
4. Greater amount of protection: Cloud computing is often safer than traditional IT. Many established cloud suppliers utilize leading security experts, invest huge amounts of money into securing their applications and develop technology beyond the means of any small enterprise. Furthermore, the risk of losing confidential data on a laptop or a USB stick is likewise diminished, as things are all stored in the cloud and not on your equipment.
5. Manage the cultural adjustment: Today's workforce expects to have the same technology on the job that they enjoy at home. Google designs its applications with users in mind and lots of staff will already be experienced with Google Mail and Google Docs. However, internal communication about the change of service and in-house training sessions will assist staff to feel more at ease using the new technology.
6. A more collaborative way of working: Using cloud computing applications, individuals can obtain and operate in the same documents in real time - without the need for hundreds of emails with attachments. Enhanced knowledge sharing and communication supports creativity and productivity among your employees.
7. Flexibility to scale up or scale down your company: Cloud based "pay as you go" style services enable you to easily build up your use of cloud services as your business grows, or decrease your spending if you need to momentarily scale down.
8. Employees of tomorrow: Social media sites like Facebook or MySpace are all cloud environments. Most workers are now comfortable with collaborating online and accessing their information from any portable device at hand, any time.
9. Your business resiliency can be enhanced: Cloud computing providers offer increased resiliency and redundancy afforded by numerous data centers to ensure your data is always obtainable. You experience less downtime than when managing IT in-house, and any complications can be solved far more quickly by being fixed centrally.
10. More choice: In contrast to traditional IT models which may involve expensive software licenses and long lock-in contracts, the cloud model features significantly more flexibility. You can switch providers easily and regularly in order to get the ideal experience and value for your money. However, you will need to check with your cloud provider as to how you retrieve information from their cloud should you choose to switch in the future.
