In the last few years, cloud computing has become the norm. Driven by the post-pandemic shift to hybrid working, cloud computing enables users access to applications, databases, emails and files from anywhere.
In its simplest form, the cloud benefits businesses by being able to store and access data and software programs over the internet instead of your computer’s hard drive or a physical server in the office. It enables the delivery of a series of computing services including servers, storage, desktops, VoIP and more, without taking up storage on on-site servers and machines. Your business data is stored in remote and powerful data centres, managed by third-party, giving you lower costs and increased flexibility.
Below, we examine the key benefits to cloud computing and why your business should move over if you’re not already using cloud-based solutions.
The business benefits of cloud computing
Flexibility
A core benefit of cloud computing is the ability to scale up and down your cloud capacity as and when your business requires. Cloud-based products are ideal for businesses with growing or fluctuating bandwidth demands.
This elasticity is particularly beneficial for managing peak loads or accommodating periods of rapid business growth, all without the delays and significant upfront investments associated with traditional infrastructure upgrades. This means you can quickly adapt to market changes and seize new opportunities by rapidly deploying or retiring IT resources as needed.
Moreover, the cloud offers a broad spectrum of services and configurations, allowing businesses to tailor their IT infrastructure precisely to their unique operational requirements.
Collaboration
By enabling employees to access and share data and applications from virtually any location with an internet connection, the cloud supports more flexible work arrangements and facilitates seamless teamwork, regardless of physical location. Many cloud platforms also include integrated tools specifically designed to enhance team collaboration and communication.
Cost savings
By migrating to the cloud, you can drastically reduce expenditure, by no longer needing to invest heavily in on-premises hardware and software. Instead, you’ll operate on a subscription-based model, paying only for the computing resources consumed.
This pay-as-you-go approach extends to operational costs as well, diminishing expenses related to power consumption, cooling systems and the need for extensive in-house IT staff dedicated to infrastructure maintenance and upgrades. Cloud providers handle these underlying tasks, often leading to a more economically efficient IT operation.
Automatic software updates
Another of the benefits of Cloud Computing is that the servers are located off-premise. All cloud suppliers roll out regular software and security updates, your internal staff will no longer have the headache or worry when it comes to making updates to internal servers.
Reliability
Cloud environments are frequently architected with significant redundancy, meaning data is mirrored across multiple geographically diverse locations. This design ensures high levels of uptime and minimizes the risk of service interruptions. Furthermore, disaster recovery processes are often streamlined and more cost-effective in the cloud, as data can be readily backed up and restored from remote cloud locations, enhancing business continuity.
Security
Cloud providers typically implement robust security frameworks, often incorporating advanced technologies and employing specialised security personnel. This can, in many cases, provide a higher level of security than individual businesses might be able to achieve independently. Features such as comprehensive data encryption, sophisticated firewall systems and granular identity and access management are commonly integrated into cloud offerings.
Additionally, reputable cloud providers often hold industry-recognised certifications and adhere to stringent regulatory compliance standards, providing an added layer of assurance.
Innovation
The ability to rapidly provision development and testing environments and deploy applications in the cloud accelerates a business’s innovation cycle. It also reduces the often lengthy procurement processes associated with acquiring traditional IT infrastructure. By offloading the complexities of IT infrastructure management to a cloud provider, businesses can ultimately focus their valuable resources and IT personnel on their core business objectives and strategic initiatives, rather than being consumed by routine maintenance and operational tasks.
Are there any considerations to make before moving to the cloud?
While the cloud brings many benefits to a business, it isn’t something you should enter blindly into. There are important things to consider to understand if it’s the right move for your organisation.
Firstly, you need to thoroughly assess the security measures offered by your chosen cloud provider and ensure they align with your organisation’s policies and any relevant industry or regulatory compliance requirements (like GDPR in the UK). Understanding where your data will be stored and who will have access to it is paramount.
Another key consideration is cost management. While the cloud can lead to cost savings, it’s essential to have a clear understanding of the pricing models and potential hidden costs, such as egress charges (fees for taking data out of the cloud). Without proper monitoring and optimisation, cloud costs can sometimes exceed initial expectations.
Planning cloud migration
Then, you need to consider the logistics of moving to the cloud, including data migration. Planning how you will move your existing data and applications to the cloud is critical to minimise downtime and avoid data loss or corruption. This includes choosing the right migration tools and strategies.
Application compatibility also needs to be evaluated. Not all applications are cloud-ready, and some might require significant modifications or even replacement to function effectively in a cloud environment. Assessing the compatibility of your existing applications with the chosen cloud platform is essential.
Furthermore, consider network connectivity and bandwidth. A reliable and sufficient network connection is crucial for accessing cloud services. You need to ensure your infrastructure can support the demands of cloud usage.
Finally, internal expertise and training should not be overlooked. Your IT team may need new skills to manage and operate in a cloud environment. Assessing your team’s current capabilities and planning for necessary training is vital for a smooth transition and ongoing management.
What are examples of cloud-based solutions?
With cloud computing becoming so desired among businesses, most Microsoft applications are available on a cloud-based basis. This includes:
- Microsoft Azure is a cloud computing platform comprised of IT Infrastructure and data applications. Azure has a multitude of capabilities including being used for basic document storage to mobile and web application services. It has security built in to the platform and holds ISO 27018 certification.
- Microsoft EM+S is a set of cloud-based BYOD management tools that secure sensitive company documents which can be securely accessed by users regardless of location or what device they are using, whether it is a smartphone, tablet or laptop. Devices are all managed in a single system where you can also manage user credentials, applications and security from a single place. Microsoft EM+S also helps to facilitate user productivity whilst maintaining compliance with GDPR.
- Microsoft 365 is a suite of productivity and collaboration cloud services designed for individuals and businesses. It includes familiar Office applications along with other services, such as Teams, Outlook, SharePoint, OneDrive and more.
- Microsoft Dynamics 365 is a suite of intelligent business applications designed to help you run your entire business and deliver better results through predictive, AI-driven insights, combining ERP and CRM capabilities into a cloud-based solution.
- Microsoft Copilot is a cloud-based AI assistant that integrates across Microsoft’s ecosystem. While some processing can occur locally on newer devices, its core intelligence and data connectivity rely on Microsoft’s cloud infrastructure.
There are plenty of cloud solutions now available, so spend time searching for those that fit your organisation’s needs.
Ready to say hello to the cloud?
Our guide to an effective cloud migration tells you everything you need to know before moving over.
