Cloud computing is a modern way for businesses to access the computing services they need. Instead of purchasing hardware and software upfront, businesses can pay a subscription to a cloud computing provider to get access to the tools and computing power they need.
How Do Modern Businesses Use Cloud Computing?
Most modern businesses use cloud computing services to help them operate as efficiently as possible. From cloud-based email services to data storage services, cloud computing providers offer businesses the services they need for their day-to-day operations.
Some businesses subscribe to cloud-based productivity suites, such as Office 365. By using Software as a Service (SaaS), businesses can ensure they always have access to the latest version of essential office applications, such as document editing tools, communication tools, and tools for preparing and giving presentations.
What are the Advantages of Cloud Computing?
Cloud computing has many advantages for modern businesses. The three most important benefits are improved productivity, collaboration, and security.
Productivity Benefits of Cloud Computing
Cloud computing can dramatically improve the productivity of employees. Cloud-based software suites provide employees with editing tools they can use to work together on documents, spreadsheets, and reports. When they use cloud-based editing tools and document storage, employees can also continue to work on documents even when they are away from the office. As a result, they can carry on collaborating with their coworkers even when they are on a business trip or working from home.
Collaboration Benefits of Cloud Computing
Before cloud computing, employees often found it very difficult to work together to prepare reports. When documents are stored in the cloud, employees located in any department or branch office can access the document and make changes. There is no need to email multiple versions of the document between the various team members. Instead, shared documents are stored on a cloud server where they can be accessed by all team members. Restricting access to only those employees who are involved in a particular project is easy when using cloud computing services.
Security Benefits of Cloud Computing
Some business owners are concerned about the security implications of storing their files and data on a third-party server. In reality, outsourcing data storage to a cloud computing service can actually improve business IT security.
Cloud computing companies employ the best security experts in the industry to keep their clients’ data safe. Whereas IT professionals working in small and medium-sized businesses have many responsibilities, the security experts working for cloud computing services are able to devote their attention to keeping up to date with the latest generation of cyber threats. This means that cloud computing companies are able to stay one step ahead of the cyber criminals and therefore protect the data of the businesses they serve.
Studies show that on-premises computing environments are more likely to experience cyber incidents than cloud environments. If you use in-house servers to store your data, your business is more likely to become the victim of a brute force attack.
Cloud Computing Options for Modern Businesses
The three main players in the cloud computing marketplace are Microsoft, Amazon, and Dropbox. Let’s take a look at the advantages that each provider can offer.
Microsoft
Many modern businesses rely on the Office 365 suite of productivity tools. This cloud-based platform is Microsoft’s alternative to its traditional Office software suite. Businesses benefit from always having access to the latest updates to tools such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Office 365 also makes it easy for employees to collaborate and work on documents no matter where in the world they are located.
Amazon
Since Amazon entered the cloud computing marketplace, its AWS platform has rapidly gained popularity. Businesses use AWS to access the data storage and online productivity features they need.
Dropbox
Dropbox provides secure cloud storage for business data. Compared to buying servers for data storage, businesses that use Dropbox face much lower upfront costs. Using cloud services is an excellent way to spread the costs of computing so they fit easily into a business budget.
How to Set Up and Manage a Cloud Environment
Setting up a cloud environment does not have to be difficult or disrupt everyday business activities. The easiest way to get started with cloud computing is to work with an IT support company that has experience of setting up and managing cloud environments on behalf of businesses.
Manawa has helped many businesses set up and maintain cloud computing environments. When businesses get in touch with Manawa, the experienced IT consultants working for Manawa audit the business’s IT systems to learn about its computing needs. They then recommend a cloud solution that can meet the security, productivity, and collaboration demands of the business. Manawa experts can set up the new cloud solution with as little disruption as possible, and provide ongoing support to help all business employees adjust to using the new cloud-based system.
Working with an IT support company is the best way to get the cloud solution that is right for your business. For help setting up and managing a cloud environment, get in touch with Manawa today.