Connectivity & Availability
Staff can access information from home, on the road, from clients’ offices or even from a smartphone.
Collaboration of information
Staff can work collaboratively on files and documents, even when they’re not physically together. Documents can simultaneously be viewed and edited from multiple locations. In additional, online storage and back-up means business data cannot be lost or destroyed
Ease of integration of applications
Cloud computing can be very quick and easy to get up and running. Consider, for example, how quickly you can set up a Gmail account and start emailing – it takes minutes and all you need is a computer and the Internet. Downloading and installing software, on the other hand, takes much longer.
Cloud computing enable you to expand your environment to accommodate business needs without purchasing and deploying additional hardware. It simplifies software upgrades, patches and maintenance and enables you to roll out new applications quickly and cost-effectively, saving you time, money and bother.
Save You Money
Cloud computing is often cheaper and less labor-intensive for businesses. There is no need to buy and install expensive software because it’s already installed online remotely and you run it from there. With cloud computing, you subscribe to the software, rather than buying it outright. This means that you only need to pay for it when you need it.
In addition, there is no need to take on specialist IT staff, and businesses don’t have to worry about maintaining and upgrading software or fixing bugs, as all maintenance is done by the provider. This frees-up in-house IT teams to focus on technical issues specific to the business. Remote maintenance means it’s easy for businesses to always have the latest and most powerful version of any particular software.
Flexibility and Scalability
Cloud computing can be quickly and easily scaled up and down according to demand. This can be particularly advantageous when there are temporary peaks in demand, such as at holydays.
A major advantage of using cloud computing for many companies is that because it’s online, it offers virtually unlimited storage compared to server and hard drive limits. Needing more storage space does not cause issues with server upgrades and equipment – usually all you need to do is increase your monthly fee slightly for more data storage.
Green
Many international businesses also choose cloud computing because of its green credentials. Microsoft recently claimed that cloud computing can reduce a business’s carbon emissions by as much as 30%, as businesses don’t need to power an entire server, they only use (and pay for) what they need online.
