Cloud computing has achieved widespread adoption across businesses large and small in recent years, and with good reason. Whereas classic dedicated and shared servers rely on individual physical servers, cloud servers make use of online non-localised networks, providing a secure and flexible solution to reduce costs and optimise resource utilisation. Read on to learn more about how cloud computing could help your business achieve its goals.
What is cloud computing?
Cloud computing refers to the use of the internet to deliver computing services - including software, storage, networking, databases, analytics, and more via remote servers (“the cloud”) instead of on-site servers.
Learn more: What is a cloud server?
Why use cloud computing?
There are many advantages to using cloud computing, especially for IT-intensive businesses. Let’s take a look at some of them:
Collaboration
One of the key advantages of cloud computing is that it allows for maximum collaboration and flexibility for projects. Cloud computing allows data to be accessed securely from anywhere, at any time, and by anyone. Users are able to work in the way that suits them best, and aren’t restricted by geography or time zones.
Whether it’s developing a new application, delivering educational courses or even accessing their IT infrastructure from multiple locations (as has become increasingly common post-pandemic), cloud computing offers the flexibility to get things done as a team.
Scalability
Cloud computing also offers plenty of scalability, with lots of room for growth. Scalability is always something to consider when investing in a setup, and cloud computing has the potential to expand with your project. You can upgrade storage with ease, increase the number of applications, and even customise the setup itself when it comes to hybrid and multi-cloud setups.
And that’s not the only way it’s scalable – cloud computing can be used for a whole host of other things too:
- Developing software on a server that can scale as the project grows with the ability to save snapshots and easily restore previous versions.
- Educational institutions can deliver courses on demand and allow teachers and students to collaborate hassle-free with their own private cloud network.
- Game servers let you play by your own rules with custom maps and mods, with cloud hosting giving you powerful performance and the flexibility to scale if you need to.
Security
Cloud computing provides unrivalled peace of mind with its non-localised setup. With physical servers, you’re at the mercy of potential disasters. Floods, power outages, fires and other unforeseen circumstances will always be a threat to your business when it relies on physical servers.
Sometimes security threats are deliberate rather than accidental - malware, hackers and other malicious entities are all after your data. Cloud computing solutions are equipped against this as well with user and device authentication.
Cost
Another major advantage of cloud computing is that you don’t need to shoulder the financial burden of physical maintenance. Physical servers use a lot of power, and are susceptible to damage which will need to be repaired. With cloud computing, all the hardware is elsewhere, and all maintenance costs fall under the responsibility of the server provider, not you.
Use cases of cloud computing
What do all of these advantages mean in context? Cloud computing has the power to significantly improve a wide range of business processes, regardless of size and industry.
Let’s take a look at some of the common uses of cloud computing.
Data analysis
These days, it’s all about data. For smart decision making and valuable insights, data collection is essential - but where are you going to put it all?
Cloud computing is a far more cost effective way to analyse your data without taking up significant resources to do so. The pay-as-you-go nature of cloud computing solutions means that you don’t need to fork out huge sums of money to facilitate your data analysis.
File storage
Non-localised cloud storage is the safest way to store your data. Cloud computing allows you to store and manage huge amounts of data in an extremely secure way, safe from the dangers of natural disasters, technological failures, and power outages.
Aside from the security aspect of cloud computing, another reason why it’s great for file storage is due to the fact that files can be accessed from anywhere in the world by anyone with access, creating huge advantages for widely distributed teams and businesses.
Process management
You might not realise it, but many common pieces of tech used by most organisations (like CRM platforms, for example) already use cloud computing. Cloud computing is particularly advantageous when attempting to resolve organisational problems, due to the fact that it allows for instantaneous access and transferring of data between devices.
Software testing
Software testing is a lot of work, and takes a lot of time and resources. When doing it yourself in-house, the costs can be significant, with configuration, installation, and training racking up a huge bill - and not to mention holding back the project too.
The nature of cloud computing means that software testing becomes much easier, and much cheaper. Cloud development tools dramatically reduce timelines of development projects by providing both continuous delivery and integration.
Should I use cloud computing?
You’ve heard the benefits, and seen the uses. But does it sound like cloud computing would be a help to your business?
Ask yourself the following questions:
- Am I safety conscious when it comes to backing up data?
- Do I have a team spread across multiple locations?
- Do I handle a lot of data?
- Are the maintenance costs of local servers too steep?
If you answered yes to any or all of the above, it may be time to upgrade to cloud servers.
Still unsure about the benefits of cloud computing? Contact our support team today.
