I understand that most people who have clicked into our website have a solid understanding of what cloud computing is. For those who don’t or need a brief reminder:

“In the simplest terms, cloud computing means storing and accessing data and programs over the Internet instead of your computer’s hard drive. (Web-based=cloud).”

[Eric Griffith, ‘What Is Cloud Computing?’]

It’s increasingly popular, ensures greater efficiency of a business, and has even been proven to increase a business’ profitability. Yet, it seems there are still businesses out there who have yet to benefit from this.
For years we have been told not to follow the crowd; to stand out and be our unique selves. I have a feeling that after you read the next few paragraphs, you will realise that maybe there is truth in the idea of safety in numbers.
A huge number of companies have made the change from storing and accessing data on and from one’s hard drive to storing and accessing data over the internet. While I can understand that some businesses are not prepared to change the entire data infrastructure of their businesses, I urge these people to simply read on and take a few minutes of their day to carefully evaluate the benefits that their business could be privy to, as outlined below.

• Security

Files, programs and other data are always at risk of being remotely accessed by a cyber-criminal, whether it is stored online or not. With this in mind, it is important to note that the most common way data is compromised through low level passwords and by someone physically accessing the site of your laptop or laptop network and connecting. Therefore, it would seem that the easiest way to prevent your data from being stolen is by finding a way to remove your data from a physical locations or locations and base it online.
Data moved to and from the cloud is heavily encrypted and you would have to pass through many biometric scans and multiple ID checks in order to access the data. This means that it is significantly harder for anyone to access your data if it is stored on the cloud rather than on your hard-drive.
Additionally, it is important that I mention that all data centres have back-up power centres which means that, no matter what, you will always be able to access your information. So rid the thought that you won’t have control if something doesn’t work on ‘their end’ because one of the main aims of cloud-based computing is that you have even more control than you already do.

• Insights

There are also a few other, lesser-known benefits that enable an increase knowledge of the ins-and-outs of your business. Cloud-based computing provides you with access to real-time data where business updates are not restricted to business hours and data is updated constantly and can be called at request. Additionally, as management you will be enabled to see exact sales instantly at request which will ultimately enable you to become pro-active rather than re-active. Haven’t you always wanted to create the change at your demand rather than wait for someone else to tell you or for it to become apparent that there is a currently unnoticed need to change. Cloud-based computing is going to help you to understand your business better than you ever did before and thus increase revenue like you were never able to before simply through promotional sale.

• Cost

There will always be initial costs with new start-ups, it’s inevitable; all these benefits won’t come for free. I would not blame you though if the fear of these costs prevent you from seeing the future benefits of switching to cloud-based computing. It’s like gambling. However, unlike gambling, making the switch to cloud computing has several future gains that can actually be measured. For example, any future company start-ups after the switch will not only save you an incredible amount of time, but will save you money. Great, right? Also, with cloud computing you will never have to pay for more than you get. If you require only a certain amount of space than that is all that you will pay for. No sneaky costs and no hidden agenda, just cost efficiency and time-saving for anyone willing to invest a little to gain more.

• Other

Cloud-based computing is also environmentally friendly (no more waste-paper trays in sight!) and provides a competitive edge in your industry! Remember, follow the trends to differentiate!

While I may not have you jumping at the chance to join the bandwagon cloud-base application use, I hope you can at least come away with some knowledge of the possibilities of change; the possibilities of following the crowd in order to differentiate oneself.
Remember, while you are off being yourself there is will always be safety in numbers.
If you’re ready to embrace cloud-based solutions or need a little bit more persuasion and advice, then we’d love to help you out. Our details can be found in the about section. Or better yet, take a look at some of the services we can offer to see if we can help you.