Top 8 Benefits of Cloud Computing
Posted on May 5, 2015
By Mike Goulding, VP of Technology
In an industry known for buzzwords and passing fads, Cloud computing is the real deal. The incredible success of products like Amazon Web Services, Dropbox and other Cloud-based technologies demonstrate business’ rapid acceptance of applications, data storage and even DaaS or Desktop as a Service, in which a user’s entire desktop is delivered over the Internet.
So why does business love the Cloud so much? The following eight benefits of Cloud computing may have something to do with it:
1. The Cloud is available anywhere there is a broadband Internet connection, 24/7/365. This is a tremendous convenience and gives businesses competitive flexibility in managing IT operations.
2. With the Cloud, there is no server hardware to install. This may seem obvious, but if you need to quickly expand your operation, the Cloud is the way to go. The desktop PCs, notebooks and other devices you already own are probably fine for accessing the Cloud. Some Cloud services are optimized for inexpensive thin-client hardware that can even replace desktop PCs with a device designed specifically to connect to Cloud resources.
3. Security is less of a hassle for Cloud users. While anything can fail and security is rarely perfect, Cloud-hosted data and applications are as close as most businesses will get to 100-percent safe. With the Cloud, local data storage is more of an option than a requirement. Data stored in the Cloud should be easily restored if lost or damaged. Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) users benefit from Cloud applications and security because they don’t store the data on their own devices – so if a tablet is left in the back of a cab, the data the user was using won’t be compromised.
4. Disaster readiness. If applications and data are not running in your office but at a Cloud data center, it should be easy to get back in operation if your building becomes unavailable for some reason. Because the Cloud can be accessed almost anywhere, a new office can be quickly established – even in a hotel meeting room. Or users can work from home. (Before depending on this, make sure your Cloud vendor is prepared and able to help when a disaster strikes or in the rare event its own Cloud data center should go offline; and note that each vendor approaches disaster situations differently – so always ask before you sign).
5. Just about anything needed for business computing is available in the Cloud – storage, CPUs, applications, even fully managed virtual desktops. Cloud computing allows companies to outsource much, even most, of their computing needs.
6. Not happy? Then switch – because you’re less likely to be locked in. The history is business computing is one of vendors using proprietary technology to lock-in customers. Cloud computing is often built around open standards that allow customers to move from one vendor to another if they choose. Again, this is something to confirm prior to signing a Cloud computing contract.
7. Stronger role and better control for your IT team. The Cloud, especially virtual desktops, tilts the computing balance-of-power back in favor of IT. Virtual desktops – in which a user’s PC experience exists on a remote server – give managers control of users’ computing experience, while still offering all the applications the users need.
8. Better business terms. Without going into detail, Cloud computing is generally sold on subscription basis, priced per-user per-month. Users can be added and subtracted as business conditions change. Cloud computing should offer stable, predictable pricing for computing resources.
The bottom line benefits of Cloud computing are flexibility and control. Flexibility to configure applications, servers, storage and desktops as your business requires, with enhanced control over vendors, users and cost. Together, these make Cloud computing one of today’s most powerful trends in information technology.