Will Moving To The Cloud Save Your Business Money?

Every year the popularity of moving your business to the cloud gains more traction. With an ever growing number of cloud networks and providers to choose from, the option is becoming more cost effective than ever. In fact, the Synergy Research Group reported that the worldwide cloud computing market is growing at 28% annually up to $110 billion in 2015. So when it comes down to figures, will moving to the cloud actually save your business money?

Cloud Computing Definition

Cloud computing, often referred to as ‘the cloud” is the delivery of on-demand computing resources over the internet. In simple terms, it means that you can access any application or data you need from the internet, no matter where you are. Instead of having your data stored at your business location on hard drives and computers, the data is instead stored on secure online servers.

A great definition from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST):

“Cloud computing is a model for enabling ubiquitous, convenient, on-demand network
access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources (e.g., networks, servers,
storage, applications, and services) that can be rapidly provisioned and released with
minimal management effort or service provider interaction.”

Benefits To Your Business

Moving your business to the cloud allows access to a whole new level of usability. It is more than just accessing data and applications no matter where you are, it is a completely flexible business solution that is able to grow with your business needs. Cloud computing slip-streams and supports your business allowing you to focus your time and energy on other important issues.

Here are some of the largest benefits to your business:

Safe and Secure

Moving to the cloud gives an added security blanket when it comes to keeping your data safe. Having your data and applications on hard drives or laptops runs the risk of the product going faulty ending in the loss of information. With cloud computing, the cloud has the ability to automatically back-up all of your data to assure if for some reason it does go missing, you will be able to easily retrieve it.

Quick And Easy Access

Having applications on the cloud allows all of your employees to access them at any time, no matter where they are. With access to current stock levels and the ability to give detailed and accurate quotes on site, they can rely on this data as they know it is updated and current. It also provides convenience as you no longer have to carry around hardware such as hard-drives.

Flexible Capacity

Cloud storage has the ability to grow and adapt with your business. Once you have set up your cloud computing network, it is easy to increase or decrease your storage limits to fit with your company’s changing capacity.

Work Smarter, Not Harder

Cloud computing has greater integration which streamlines your workflow. It is there to help you work smarter, not harder. Alongside encouraging innovation and boosting productivity.

A great way to learn about other benefits of cloud computing to your business is to contact an expert.

So Will It Save My Business Money?

What most businesses want to know is the bottom line ‘will moving to the cloud save me money?’. Unfortunately, there is no simple or straight forward answer. However, if you are able to understand and utilise cloud computing for your business, you are more likely to save money.

Here are some of the key ways cloud computing can save your business money:

Flexible Cost Structure

With the “pay-as-you-go” structure, companies are able to have their IT solutions rapidly match their capacity. If your business is going through some difficulty and needs to perform some cut backs, this structure allows cutbacks to happen. On the contrary, if your business is rapidly expanding and needs the IT capacity to match it, it can be done quickly and conveniently with minimal effort.

Reduction In Hardware

As companies will no longer have a need to purchase hardware, utilities and other aspects to operate a data centre, they will save significant costs. Whereas with traditional computing before the cloud, businesses would need to invest substantial amount just to get the data centre up and running.

Furthermore, installing the server can cost your company quite a bit of money, not to mention ongoing maintenance costs and fixing of any malfunctions. Moving to the cloud will, therefore, save the cost of hiring more IT staff and equipment.

Depreciation of Equipment

Computing equipment as many people know tends to depreciate and become outdated quite fast. With the constant need to update and purchase newer equipment, the costs to maintain your data centre rises each year. This is usually a forgotten cost when considering the move to the cloud, however, it can likely be a big factor when assessing the money your business can save in the switch to cloud computing.

It is important when making the decision to move to cloud computing that you understand what it is you are committing to. Do your research and see if moving to the cloud is the right move for you.