This article will attempt to introduce ‘the cloud’ and demonstrate the benefits that can be realised for an organization that decides to move to cloud based applications, platforms and/or infrastructure. The cloud has been truly ‘disruptive’ to the IT industry and has democratized high performance, low cost computing in every sector.
Cloud computing, or “the cloud”, is a way of outsourcing and streamlining the delivery of your on-demand productivity applications and computing resources through the Internet, or over your private Wide Area Network. Instead of relying on local physical servers, these management functions are handled by an outsourced service provider. There are numerous benefits associated with adopting this technology and in recent years there has been a dramatic rise to prominence of ‘the cloud’. Below are some of the key benefits:'
1. Reduced Costs
- A move to cloud computing immediately reduces the cost of managing and maintaining IT infrastructure and systems.
- Instead of purchasing expensive servers and installing your own equipment that requires regular maintenance, upgrades and monitoring; your organization can leverage the significant capability of a cloud provider.x
- These costs savings are packaged into a regular monthly subscription fee that can be easily tracked and budgeted.
- There are also additional savings from reduced downtime that allows more time to be spent on the most valuable and effective IT responsibilities
2. Scalability
- Once you have adopted the cloud, your organization has complete flexibility with the level of computing and infrastructure that they require and use.
- It is fast and simple to quickly acquire more space, computing capability and/or backup recovery
- This ability to quickly scale up can be extremely useful if an organization is aware that it has large upcoming projects that will require increased computing capability - the opposite can also apply if an organization is shrinking their workforce
- The process of leveraging up and down is as simple as a phone call and the only noticeable change in service provision is reflected in the invoice at the end of the month
3. Continuity
- Data security is an essential aspect of long term business planning and as more and more information is readily accessible through the Internet, confidence in the security of data is imperative.
- Having data stored on the cloud provides a more efficient method of back-up:
- Physical space can be constrained but virtual space is almost unlimited
- humanIT’s provision of cloud services makes it possible for a business to access and restore their data quickly and safely after a disaster, power failure or any other crisis that affects data security.
4. Efficiency
- Partnering in the operation of a cloud environment with a service provider gives your business the ability to communicate, collaborate and share much more easily than has ever been possible before
- Organizations utilising cloud technologies can enable their employees more comprehensively than has been possible at any other time in history and can even drive changes to strategic direction. One example is the ability to allow employees to work remotely without disruption.
Whilst a useful snapshot, these four key points barely scratch the surface of the benefits that your individual organization may be able to gain from the cloud.
Every situation is different and the solution can be personally tailored for your requirements based off a ‘best practice’ approach. HumanIT’s years of experience with a variety of clients, means we have the experience, the frameworks and the technical expertise to deliver exceptional results and outcomes for the businesses that we engage.
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