Cloud hosting has been around for a while, though its’ acceptance into mainstream usage has only really occurred over the last few years. There are still a number of sceptics when it comes to cloud storage/hosting, though advances in technology have long since seen the early security flaws of this system patched up. Nowadays it’s as safe as any other method of online storage, and gives a massive number of benefits on top.
- Resources Always Available
A huge benefit to businesses, data and information are readily available at all times and from any machine/location. This prevents the need to access specific machines or systems to pull up relevant information. Likewise the reliability of cloud systems has been shown to be much higher than the reliability of old-style systems. They just don’t tend to fail and lose data very often, plus there are multiple back-ups. The only real way to lose cloud data is to lose the physical servers on which that data is held.
- Lowering Your Operating Costs
Operating costs are a major factor to your bottom line. Reducing them increased your businesses profit and ability to grow. By using cloud storage you no longer need physical servers and equipment on location. You can also minimize the size of your IT department or switch to using your cloud providers staff instead. This type of reduction can have a big impact on your bottom line.
- Reliability & Security
As mentioned earlier, there are multiple copies of data on cloud servers, all stored in different places. This prevents accidental data loss. There is also the option to have different levels of privacy so that your private data is in a completely different place to your public, more shareable data. Services like iConnect can take your security even further by dedicating physical servers only for your company, and adding biometric security measures.
- Speed
With cloud hosting your team all has immediate access to any uploads. Edits can be made and saved immediately from locations all over the world if needed. The ability to manage and co-ordinate all of this is increased by having real-time access to files. You also no longer need to worry about the physical side of creating new storage/security, as everything is done online.
- Faster Scaling
Yet another benefit is that you can quickly scale up or down to increase/decrease bandwidth and storage amounts. This means your hosting capabilities grow with your needs, and upscaling/downscaling is much easier using cloud software when compared to the old method of changing and adding/removing actual hardware.
- Productivity Boosted
Being able to collaborate in real-time from different locations can give a massive boost to your productivity. The fact that you can have a dozen people in different locations all working together in a group makes a huge difference.
- Cost Efficiency
With the ability to upscale/downscale comes the ability to keep cost effective. You only need to pay for the hosting you need at that particular time and can change your requirements quickly and easily. There are also pay-per-use options available, giving even lower costs for small businesses and plenty of pricing transparency too.
- Environmental Impact
The savings from cloud hosting go beyond the actual hardware costs. Not having to run your own hosting hardware means a lower carbon footprint and one less running cost for your business. As well as being environmentally friendly and helping the planet, this also keeps a little extra cash in your pocket.
