Five reasons to swap cloud caution for cloud confidence 

Cloud technology is transforming the way we work for the better. We take a look at some of the biggest benefits for businesses making the move online.

The cloud revolution is upon us–from online banking and limitless picture storage to CRMs and shareable docs that drive collaboration. 

And with more and more software solutions and SaaS applications providing products exclusively in the cloud, it’s where many of us are headed. While data legislation prevents some organisations from being completely cloud-oriented, others might be a little cautious for other reasons. Here, we take a closer look at some of the immediate and long-term business benefits to embracing cloud services and software.

Cloud computing is all about delivering services over the internet. From software and databases to servers and networking, it gives your people the ability to access what they need to do their job from just about anywhere (desert islands included, as long as there’s good WiFi).

Most of us are already using the cloud to store personal data, share our experience on social media, and do our banking. And we’re reaping the benefits of not needing physical storage for all that information and interactivity. 

But what about at work? You might be using Google Drive to collaborate on projects or connecting with your customers on software like Salesforce, but could you get more out of the cloud?

Post-pandemic shift to cloud working 

The Covid-19 pandemic forced some businesses to get cosy with the cloud, adopting new tools much faster than they would have otherwise. And the statistics speak for themselves: a recent Gartner survey indicated that almost 70 percent of organisations that use cloud services have put plans in place to increase their spending since the pandemic began.

As more and more software solutions and SaaS applications become exclusively available online, keeping up with the competition means ditching downloads and embracing a cloud-confident way of working. 

With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the big business advantages you won’t want to miss.

1. Scalability

If growth is your goal, then you’re going to need technology that can scale with you. 

That means all the computing power, server space, and resources you need right when you need them. An onsite system relies on IT teams manually upgrading it – it’s slow and expensive, so if you see a sudden spike in users or sales, it’s unlikely you’ll have the power in place to support it there and then. Slow speeds lead to customer frustration and lost sales–something most businesses can’t afford. 

Cloud systems, on the other hand, can scale vertically (adding more computing power) or horizontally (adding more servers and machines), with unlimited capacity to meet bandwidth demand.

2. Flexibility

Ideally, growth would be one straight arrow on an upwards trajectory. But it rarely looks like this in real life, and most businesses see spikes throughout the year. Cloud systems give you much more flexibility than onsite infrastructure, increasing power and space when you need it and reducing it when you don’t. 

This concertina offering means you can make hay while the sun shines, but pay less if demand dips, ideal for agile businesses who need to adapt in an instant.

3. Affordability

While monthly subscription costs for cloud services might seem expensive compared to software licencing, there are a host of significant savings to be had by cosying up with the cloud long term. 

First up, with your cloud vendor taking care of all the nitty-gritty, your IT team will be freed up to focus on strategic tasks and urgent issues. No more wasting precious time on scheduled upgrades, server replacements, and incident management. And you’ll also cut costs on servers and storage, software licences, maintenance, asset management, and energy bills–all while gaining access to enterprise-grade technology.

4. Continuity

Conflicting file content, endless email attachments, and one-at-a-time workflow are just some of the pain points you can bid goodbye to.

With cloud computing, everything is stored centrally and can be accessed simultaneously by those who need it and edited in real-time. Business continuity fosters greater visibility, faster turnaround, and much more collaboration between team members. And with remote working on the rise, it offers even easier access and file sharing options for organisations, no matter where their staff are located.

5. Security

Not all businesses have the capital or expertise for top-notch security. But with cloud computing, that’s not a problem. 

Services like Atlassian cloud, powered by AWS, offer standard security testing, encryption, and disaster recovery plans–this means secure login, frequent checkpoints, and access controls. And if your computer gets damaged or stolen, you can still access all the data you need. Cloud technology ensures you have peace of mind knowing your business is protected, without all the stress of server maintenance.