When cloud computing first came along, many people were left wondering, what is “The Cloud” and what exactly does that mean for my data? Cloud-based applications have exploded over the last decade, as more companies realized the benefits of cloud-based systems.

Being “in the cloud” simply means that your application and data are being hosted and stored on a remote 3^rd-party server rather than locally on your computer or office server. This frees you from physical location restraints so you can soar and operate your business from anywhere.

Making the transition and choosing the right cloud technologies for your business can be daunting. GEEK911 helps make the transition a smooth and productive one by offering a variety of IT services for companies in Santa Clara, CA from expert training & consulting to all types of cloud services.

What’s the big deal about moving to the cloud and why should you consider it?

83% of enterprise company workloads will be done in the cloud by 2020. (Forbes)

There are bottom line reasons that large corporations are moving their workloads to the cloud, and those benefits aren’t only sized to fit enterprise businesses. Small and medium-sized companies can also see the same time, continuity, and cost benefits by moving to cloud-based applications.

Here are 10 Reasons Cloud Computing Can Put You Ahead in 2019

Is this year the one to switch to the cloud? We’ll give you several reasons why you may want to consider it. Our expert Geeks at GEEK911 have helped many clients successfully move their workflows to the cloud and reap the benefits.

1. Time & Process Efficiency

According to McAfee, companies adopting cloud technology saw a 20.66% improvement in time to market and 18.80% average increase in process efficiency. Cloud technologies are designed with functionality that makes them easier for users to navigate and they also designed to integrate with other software to enable process automation.

2. Business Continuity

A big benefit of using cloud-hosted solutions, such as VoIP phone systems, is protection from a huge hit if your physical office is damaged either by a man-made or natural disaster. Cloud solutions often have redundant backups and allow you to access your programs and data from any internet connected device. So, if your office suffers a major power outage, you can still run your business easily from other locations.

3. Do More with Less Cost

When you’re running your own physical server for backups or networked office software, the costs can be high for hardware purchases and ongoing maintenance. Cloud-based applications allow smaller businesses to have the same features for a much lower cost for entry.

Here are a few statistics from McAfee on cost savings from companies using the cloud:

• 16.18% average reduction in operational costs
  
• 15.07% average reduction in IT spending
  
• 16.76% average reduction in IT maintenance costs

4. Device and Location Mobility

Mobile is beginning to take over some of the workloads that used to be performed solely on desktop computers. Cloud-based solutions are designed to work fluidly no matter which device you’re on or where you’re connecting from, with mobile-compatible apps and shared data. This makes it easy to have a workforce that’s not limited by geography.

5. Collaboration & Team Sharing

Cloud applications, which are designed to foster collaboration and team connection, can make staff in different corners of the country feel as if they’re working side by side. If your team is still closed off and working on static computers, you can be missing out on the type of energy and productivity that comes with collaborative work environments.

6. Easy Scalability

Most cloud applications work on a “per user, per month” subscription plan. That means you don’t have to purchase software with “x” number of licenses and aren’t stuck with extras you can’t use. You can easily add or delete team members from cloud subscriptions, scaling up or down quickly and keeping your IT budget optimized.

7. Security & Compliance

Companies running cloud applications and hosting your sensitive data, know that security is one of the main concerns about trusting a cloud-platform. This is why they tend to have excellent encryption and security protocols, and many include data privacy compliance tools with their applications, making regulatory compliance easier for their users.

8. Real-Time Integrations & Automation

You’ll find that cloud-based platforms are designed to “work well with others” meaning you’ll find they build time-saving integrations in to their design. For example, you could easily connect a cloud-based CRM program to your cloud-based accounting program to make it easy to automate invoicing, follow ups, and more.

9. Fluid Data Backup and Recovery

One of the cloud-based options that many companies adopt first are back up and data recovery solutions. Trying to backup multiple computers and mobile devices physically, can be fraught with problems. Cloud-based backup systems make it easy to automate backups in the background for multiple devices and store data in an easy to recover and keyword searchable online database.

10. Environmentally Friendly

Hosting your applications in the cloud creates less of a carbon footprint than hosting on your own server. Shared resources mean there are less physical servers with energy demands overall, reducing environmental impacts. They also help to cut down on paper waste by making data accessible from anywhere on different devices.

Need Some Help Choosing the Best Cloud Solutions for You?

GEEK911 has experience with all types of cloud computing applications and we can help you find the best ones that fit your workflow and set them up to maximize their value to your business.

Give us a call today and let’s chat about cloud computing, 1-866-433-5411, or reach into the cloud and connect with us online.