It’s hard to get through a day as a business owner or manager without hearing about the cloud. But what is it, what are its advantages, and why are companies migrating onto it? If you’re confused about what the cloud actually entails, as well as why and how businesses are benefiting from it, our guide is here to help.
Our expert team specialise in making IT simple. If your business is considering migrating to the cloud, we can manage your cloud migration, set you up with the right cloud infrastructure and ensure you’re trained to take full advantage of its business benefits.
What is the cloud?
Let’s start with the all-important question. Traditionally, companies would have to use on-site solutions and infrastructure for data storage and provision in order to operate. The cloud allows these key operations to be taken offsite and to be delivered over the internet. Everything from the storage of emails and data to more complicated processes – like customer retention management and data analytics – can be done via the cloud.
This has various benefits for businesses of all sizes, including small businesses and start-ups, such as a reduction in costs and improved worker flexibility.
What are the advantages of moving to the cloud?
As increasing numbers of businesses move to the cloud, it’s easy to see why. It offers incredible advantages for companies of all sizes and can ultimately give businesses a competitive edge all whilst they save money.
Increased security
Ensuring that your business is secured from attacks from hackers is vital to business success and customer retention. Having data and other information stored externally in the cloud gives you access to regular maintenance and updates – work that your IT team no longer has to perform. As such, it allows you to optimise productivity and minimise the risk of an external attack, which can take your business out for anything from hours to days.
If you use the biggest cloud servers like Microsoft, you can also rest assured that all of your operations are compliant with regulations (such as GDPR), and know that there’s a team onboard 24/7 in order to monitor, prevent, and protect against security breaches.
Scalability and flexibility
Traditional solutions and infrastructure can be inflexible. If you find that your business suddenly needs to either scale up or down, you want to know that this can be done with comparative ease and – hopefully – minimal cost. Moving your business to the cloud will allow you to do so, whereas operating via onsite means is typically a process that’s slower, less flexible, and may result in higher costs.
More cost effective
One of the most-cited advantages of moving to the cloud is the financial saving. Traditional IT has high operating costs, which are typically long-term commitments, and you may even be paying for systems or software packages that your business doesn’t use.
Moving to the cloud allows you to better manage your overheads, reducing excess expenditure and potentially saving time as well. Plus, your IT staff will be able to redirect their working hours towards more valuable business activities, as they’ll no longer be having to put out fires or deal with long, laborious maintenance processes.
Similarly, with many cloud computing services, you’ll only be paying for what you actually use and need. The result is a more pertinent use of company finances all round.
Greater efficiency
As touched on above, one of the advantages of moving to the cloud is that IT staff will better be able to redirect their time, improving overall efficiency. This is the case more broadly for your business, too.
Many cloud systems have automatic updates, meaning that you will always be updated and equipped with the latest technology. This not only makes your operations more secure, but also speeds things up significantly, meaning there’s minimal business downtime. Plus, by centralising operations on a cloud-based system, employees don’t have to spend their time using multiple systems. Your business will experience greater uptime, improving efficiency and productivity as a result.
Greater virtual potential
Being able to work away from the office is more important now than ever before – and it’s a major driver behind businesses moving to the cloud. Employees can access work anywhere at any time, ensuring that they can work both on the move and from home with greater ease.
This also makes collaboration easier, as workers can always access the same files, and even share them with external clients if necessary. Tasks can be carried out with greater speed and efficiency, without going back-and-forth to such an extent. Most importantly, everyone is safe in the knowledge that their work is secure – no matter where they’re working.
Why move to the cloud now?
One of the greatest advantages of migrating to the cloud for businesses of all sizes is the flexibility it provides employees. Post-pandemic, more workers than ever are looking for hybrid working opportunities. This is difficult to achieve without a cloud-based operating system.
From improved business agility, security, efficiency and scalability through to cost saving benefits, there are real advantages of moving to the cloud. As more and more businesses make the move, it will soon become a necessity to keep up. For now, however, it will allow your company to stay ahead in a competitive market.
Become a cloud-based business with Woodstock IT
Planning a move to the cloud? Don’t worry about having to manage everything yourself. At Woodstock IT, we offer comprehensive cloud solutions to make your life easier. We’ve partnered with both Dropbox and Office 365 to help you access the best cloud solutions available, and can help to set your company’s cloud up, as well as train your team and provide ongoing maintenance and support.
If you’re ready to take advantage of the cloud’s many benefits, contact us today on 01403 290 321 or 01293 912 321. We understand the importance of reducing disruption, and can use our extensive knowledge in order to offer a full service – from initial setup to ongoing maintenance.
