Both big and small businesses have started embracing the cloud for many reasons. The cloud is a centralized virtual location that stores data, which can be accessed anywhere and anytime from any device with an internet connection.
Cloud-based services don’t only change how institutions and businesses access and store data, but also the way they operate. Because of its flexibility and higher security level, more and more businesses embrace managed it services Brisbane.
If you’re considering using cloud services for your business, here are seven of its best uses you should take advantage of:
1. File Storage
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One of the primary uses of cloud computing for businesses is file storage. Cloud computing allows easy storage, retrieval, and access of files. The files are stored and accessed on a web-enabled interface, where you can enjoy better security and scalability. Cloud services are typically subscription-based, where fees depend on the amount of storage, number of users, and security features, among others.
2. Big Data Analytics
With cloud computing, it’s possible to make the most out of big data analytics, which is beneficial if your business handles large, complex data.
For example, you can easily extract information derived from the buying patterns of your consumers, which you can use to identify factors that influence purchases and bounce rates. A good example is how social networking platforms these days offer analytics on customer’s behavioral patterns, which you can use to create better campaigns and improve your business operations in the future.
3. Data Backup
Data backup is often a time-consuming and complex process. However, with today’s rising cybercrime rates, reliable backups are even more essential for businesses.
Although the traditional backup methods are effective when it comes to backing up crucial data, they can be prone to malware and may get corrupted, which can pose a threat to businesses. With cloud computing, data backup is made easier and more secure.
Depending on your chosen cloud services, you can schedule backups automatically or manually to meet your unique business needs. You can also add an extra layer of protection to your cloud backups such as an encryption feature to keep them safe from hackers and any unauthorized access.
4. Live Collaboration
Collaboration within your organization and other businesses is easier with cloud computing. Regardless of where you are and where your collaborators are located, you can access files quickly and share them on cloud space. This kind of collaboration can also be made private or public depending on your preference and needs.
In addition, the cloud provides more opportunities to work from home 24/7 with your team without worries about the restrictions of limited resources.
5. Disaster Recovery
Not having a plan for business continuity in case of a disaster is like setting up your company to fail in the future. This is one of the reasons why more businesses are choosing the cloud as part of their disaster recovery strategy to avoid the consequences that may happen when unexpected web-based or network issues occur.
Cloud computing will allow you to create a disaster recovery solution for your business with ease. You can build a replica of your entire production site and replicate configuration settings and data constantly. With this, you can easily relaunch all your data and apps in the cloud in case of a disaster and restore your regular business operations in no time.
6. Seamless Communication
With the growing need for accommodating remote-based jobs, seamless communication is even more important in businesses. With cloud-based communication tools and apps, your workers can easily send, receive, and access files stored in the cloud.
Cloud files are accessible from any device through the internet, regardless of the user’s location. If you have a remote workforce, implementing cloud computing will help you meet your unique communication needs.
7. PaaS, SaaS, And IaaS Services
For businesses, it can easily get expensive to run and maintain physical servers and manage IT infrastructure. But with cloud computing, your business can save more money. With three models of cloud services to choose from, you can also start small and easily scale up as your business grows.
Software as a Service (SaaS) is an application-based cloud service, which is the most popular and most affordable of all cloud service models. Because it’s an application that you can just access and run via the internet, you won’t have to download or install anything.
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) can give you the option of having fundamental storage, network, and computing resources on an on-demand or as-needed basis via the internet. Essentially, it just gives you a virtual data center that’s more flexible and scalable.
On the other hand, Platform as a Service (PaaS) offers a comprehensive platform through the web, which is already equipped with the infrastructure, software, and hardware you need to develop, run, and manage apps without the complexity of building and maintaining on-premise platforms.
Wrapping Up
To get the best cloud services, start by identifying your business needs first. Consider your number of users, the amount of data you need to store and run to make your business process more efficient, and the level of security your data will require. If you’re not sure what to get, consult with IT professionals to get a better idea of what will work best for your business.