There's plenty of news trending about the cloud these days. Software giants Microsoft and SAP announced an agreement to expand their global partnership by integrating one another’s cloud-based applications. Meanwhile, Dropbox boosted its desire for photo apps and services with the purchase of photo startup Bubbli. Let's not forget the Zendesk IPO, which saw the cloud-based, helpdesk-on-demand company raise $100 million.
There is never a shortage of news in the cloud space anymore.
Still, is the cloud where you need to put your data?
Before implementing any cloud-based solution, businesses need to truly evaluate whether or not they will need to significantly change the manner in which they operate to live life as a cloud-based business.
For example, off-the-shelf products will most likely require adaptation by an organization to achieve efficient integration, whereas use of a Virtual Private Server or Software as a Service is more likely to conform to the way a business conducts routine functions and operations.
Plus, not all cloud storage providers are on the same performance levels and, as a consequence of that, some make for a better fit than others for certain businesses – and even individuals. That understanding is required to truly evaluate the merits of public versus private cloud solutions, with public clouds ideal for pay-as-you-go applications and tailored for multi-tenant usage and private clouds dedicated to single organizations or enterprises.
Keeping your data secure – no matter which path you take to the cloud, is always the mandate.
So, how do you know if the cloud is right for you and your business?
- Are you a mobile professional? Personal cloud services are fast becoming the core of doing business in an escalating mobile landscape. What is the personal cloud? A personal cloud is a cloud-based platform utilized as a repository for data and applications. It is ideal for business and personal utilization, including document-sharing. Most critical: it's built for the 24/7 mobile professional. Apple, Dropbox, Google and Microsoft dominate this market, together having more than 85 percent of personal cloud accounts. By the end of 2014, more than half of all operators around the world will have launched a personal cloud service. Personal cloud services offer many benefits and opportunities, including, but not limited to, security, scalability and redundancy of data. If you are a mobile professional, the personal cloud may be right for you!
- Is your business worried about data safety – and spending? Cloud computing is very secure – there are various benefits to storing files in the cloud, whether personal documents, business records, employee files, images, videos – anything. Confidential files are well protected in the cloud, where security is paramount. If there is a natural disaster and your computers are destroyed, and all company servers lost, no problem – if you are storing data in the cloud. Cloud hosting utilizes multiple servers, meaning loads of redundancy. Plus, utilizing the cloud helps a business reduce spending on its technology infrastructure. With cloud computing, a business can maintain easy access to its data with less upfront spending, allowing for reduced capital costs thanks to a reduction in hardware, software and licensing fees. So, if you or your business would benefit from saving money and boosting data safety, the cloud may be right for you!
- Do you wish collaborating with colleagues and clients was easier? Professionals today are tech savvy. They are mobile. They are doing business 24/7. They are all over the world, working in teams. They are file sharing constantly. The ability to collaborate by virtue of a seamless, harmonious platform is highly valued by today’s professionals, especially those consistently sharing documents. For professionals and businesses dependent on constantly sharing data, cloud computing delivers and edge. Executives can share insights, recommendations and updates to reports and sensitive documents in a rapid-fire manner – freeing executives to concentrate on greater tasks, like closing deals and generating leads. Today’s competitive businesses want to readily and competently collaborate with internal groups and clients – without a hitch. If smooth collaboration and fluent file sharing is important to you, your clients and your business, the cloud may be right for you!
Whether driven to the cloud due to necessity – your increasingly mobile clients demand it– or by the lure of cost savings and increased data redundancy, the cloud presents numerous, substantial benefits for today’s mobile professionals and competitive businesses. Due diligence in selecting the right cloud provider will result in the best possible cloud adoption path – take the time necessary to research leading providers. Seeking the guidance of an IT consulting firm, knowledgeable on the merits of public and private cloud solutions, will result in a match made in the heaven. Or, at least, the cloud.
Marie Alonso is a content strategist and online marketing specialist at Miles Technologies in Moorestown, N.J. A former newspaper reporter and technology editor, Alonso works with businesses to develop content marketing campaigns rich with brand journalism, creative social media and thought leadership content. Miles Technologies delivers online marketing, web development, custom software and managed IT services.