While cloud computing is undoubtedly the way of the future, it's not uncommon for organizations to have questions about what it brings to the table and if it's worth the cost. Below are some of the key benefits of adopting cloud solutions.
While cost is a major concern for companies planning a cloud migration, the truth is that cloud solutions generate long-term savings. The agility and flexibility of accessing applications and company resources on the cloud make it easier to launch projects that would normally require expensive on-premise computers and servers.
Contrary to what some organizations think, storing data and accessing IT resources on the cloud tends to be safer than on-premise servers. This is because cloud service providers have the resources to monitor security around the clock, which is more efficient than a traditional in-house security system. Data that travels between networks and is stored on cloud databases are also encrypted, providing an added layer of security.
Cloud computing gives project managers and teams access to corporate data from any authorized device, whether it's a smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop computer. From a collaboration perspective, this level of accessibility ensures that no one is left out of the loop. The mobility of cloud solutions also makes it possible for team members to work on projects even if they're not physically located in the same office, facility, or even country.
Cloud solutions provide organizations with a wealth of insights and business intelligence that they can see in real-time. This ensures that data is visible to key stakeholders in the company at all times.
For example, when a business's procurement team releases a purchase order (PO) using cloud-based enterprise resource planning (ERP) software, the PO is also instantly visible to other departments. The internal process for approving the PO is also faster, more efficient, and less likely to be affected by human error.
Organizations can only focus on so many things at once. If a company's current IT infrastructure is forcing them to commit too much attention to resolving computer and data storage problems, this only takes away time they would otherwise spend on achieving their business goals and ensuring customer satisfaction.
By migrating their applications, data, and IT resources to a third-party cloud specialist, businesses can spend less time managing their IT infrastructure and more time on activities that directly affect their bottom line.
Control is a critical factor in any organization. But no matter how well a company plans for disruption, there will always be events that are out of their control. Unfortunately, even brief periods of disruption or downtime can hurt business operations, productivity, and revenue. Cloud solutions prevent this problem by providing rapid data recovery for a wide range of disaster scenarios, from natural disasters to power outages.