Recently we have seen a spike of interest in Cloud computing for businesses because of its ability to increase productivity and mobility for business’s employees. Like most technological advancements there are some pro’s and con’s to Cloud computing that you should think about before migrating all of your data to the cloud. Firstly, you need…
Recently we have seen a spike of interest in Cloud computing for businesses because of its ability to increase productivity and mobility for business’s employees. Like most technological advancements there are some pros and cons of Cloud computing that you should think about before migrating all of your data to the cloud. Firstly, you need to know the three different types of solutions that we will be talking about:
- Cloud Software: This is when your data is stored in the cloud;
- Server Hosted Solutions: This is where your entire network of programs and database are hosted on a remote server;
- On-Premise Solutions: This is when the software is installed on your local server or local computer.
To help you form an opinion, read our advantages and disadvantages of Cloud-Based Computing below.
Advantages of Cloud-Based Computing
When compared to on-premise solutions, Cloud computing can save your business a lot of money both upfront and ongoing depending on your size. Initially, Cloud computing has a low cost of investment by reducing the costs of purchasing hardware, software and that of an internal IT team. Cloud solutions, such as MYOB Advanced, are also fast and easy to set up which is both important and attractive to any business that wants to do things quickly with little or no downtime.
The biggest advantage to Cloud computing is its compatibility in the world we’re living and working in. Cloud computing was created to make the lives of people easier so naturally, it has been optimized to suit the needs of the 7 billion people across the globe. By having your data in the cloud your employees can access it on-demand wherever they are with an internet connection and on any device meaning it will boost productivity, reduce paper usage and encourage other innovations throughout your business.
Disadvantages of Cloud-Based Computing
Since Cloud computing is 100% online, the biggest concern expressed by users worldwide is security. In theory, you could be storing your businesses information and trade secrets in the same place as your competitors. Don’t worry, Cloud-based businesses are aware of this and will offer the appropriate security for your data, you just need to ask them about it. To increase your server security you can also look into getting your own dedicated rack that is not going to be sharing information with any other businesses or companies. Alphabetize has built strong relationships with IT experts that can find the best IT solution for you.
Another disadvantage of Cloud computing is internet connectivity. If you’re confident that your employees will always have the ability to connect to the internet no matter where they are then you don’t need to worry. However, if they want to work on a plane that doesn’t have WiFi or if your Internet Service Provider (ISP) experiences issues then, unfortunately, your ability to access your data has been compromised and is out of your control. Think about how often you experience issues with your ISP or find yourself in a situation where you can’t connect to the internet, of course, you won’t be able to say ‘never’ but if you’re confident that you have a reliable ISP then Cloud computing can be a great fit for you.
If you’re still not sure or have some questions about Cloud computing then get in touch with us. We can talk to you about your business and help you decide if Cloud computing is right for you and your business.
