Empowering the cloud

What is the cloud and why move to it?

You hear the phrase all the time: “the cloud.” What exactly is it, and how can it help you with your business? This week’s newsletter will get you up to speed on everything you need to know regarding cloud infrastructure and how you actually use it every day.

Explaining the cloud

Cloud concepts have dated back as far as the 1950s. Back in the day, a mainframe was so big that it could take up an entire room. Since mainframes were very expensive, organizations could not afford to dish out money for every employee to access one. As a resolution, companies would then develop “time sharing” concept, which would let many different people share access to data. Today’s “time sharing” concept is now what is the premise to cloud computing.

So, how often do we access the cloud? Believe it or not you use the cloud in most of your day to day web browsing activities. Check Facebook often? Well, you’re using the cloud. Simply put, when you access information via the internet you’re using aspects of the cloud.

Chances are you rely on the cloud computing to help solve challenges you may face during work hours as well. When you’re sending off emails on the go via your phone, you are accessing information online that revolves around the cloud.

Cloud advantages

So why are so many businesses moving to the cloud? Well – for starters it increases efficiency and can help improve cash flow. Below, we will go over a few advantages to why cloud computing is the next big thing for you and your business.

• Saves you money – There are more than a handful of ways that cloud computing can help save you money. How much can it really save you though? There is no right answer, as every business has different needs. A few things to point out though, is there are no capital costs, increased collaboration, lower utility costs as well as reduced labor. The list really does go on and on!
• Work from anywhere – it’s almost as simple as it sounds. If you have an internet connection somewhere then you can be at work. The result? Your business can provide flexible working perks to your employees so they can enjoy work-life balance that suits them.
• Competitiveness – Moving to the cloud can help get your foot in the door with gaining access to enterprise-class technology, for everyone. With being a small business, this can give you opportunities to act faster than bigger, established companies.
• Less environmental impact – With fewer data centers around the world, we are all having less of an impact on the environment by sharing resources to improve ‘green’ credentials.