Cloud computing is one of those phrases that most people have heard of. Those who have heard of it tend to fall into one of two camps. Either they know what it is or they know it’s to do with computing and storage and suchlike but beyond this they are unsure.
In a sentence, cloud computing is internet based computing. It lets you access applications and programs through the internet. This removes the need to download these applications and programs to a physical computer or server. Cloud computing also offers almost limitless storage. That’s all well and good, you might say, but how does any of this benefit businesses in general and start-ups in particular.
Cost
Computing can be expensive. Obviously expense varies with the type of business you are in. However, for start-ups keeping costs down is an absolute priority. Whether you are providing network support in Brisbane or selling mobility aids in Melbourne the importance of minimising your running costs is not something to be underestimated.
Cloud computing can work out very cost effective in terms of use, maintenance and upgrading. Savings can be made on licence fees – which can be a heavy financial burden where multiple users are involved. Software usage is charged on a utility basis, which means those annual licences become unnecessary.
Disaster Recovery
The loss of all the company’s data is the event that no business owner wants to contemplate but every business owner knows could happen. Just consider this: one estimate suggests that something like 800, 000 laptops are lost each year at airports. That’s right just at airports. Companies have detailed disaster recovery plans hoping that they will never have to come into play. Cloud computing allows business owners to sleep easy at night.
With cloud computing all data is stored on the internet – in the cloud – therefore backing up data is simple and recovering data is equally simple. Research carried out by the Aberdeen Group – a technology focused research company – suggests that businesses that use cloud based computing resolved data recovery issues in just over 2 hours as compared with an 8 hours resolution time for non-cloud based companies.
Automatic Software Updates
Updating software can be costly and time consuming for businesses. It was estimated that in 2010 businesses in the UK spent 18 days per month dealing with onsite security issues. Whether you are a start-up or an established business, this is a cost to be taken seriously. With cloud computing updates are automatic. Cloud computing also allows you to customise the services and applications that are most suitable for your business.
Cloud Computing Is Environmentally Friendly
Today, no business however small, start-up or established can afford to ignore the impact that its activities have on the environment. It is impossible, given our current level of technological sophistication, to eliminate completely the impact that businesses have on the environment. However, it possible to take steps to reduce this damaging impact.
With cloud computing your business will use the server space that it needs; no more. This will help to reduce the carbon footprint of your business. The estimate is that by using cloud computing, your business could use around 30% less energy than by using an onsite server. For smaller companies, the energy reduction could be even greater.
Flexibility
Cloud computing gives your staff the flexibility to work anywhere, so long as they have access to the internet. Sometimes, it is in the best interest of the company – as well as its employees – to have the flexibility for staff to work away from the office. There is a burgeoning body of evidence that this can make workers more productive.
Cloud computing also makes collaborative working that much easier. It’s not always easy and it’s not always efficient to get all the people together who are working on a particular project. Cloud computing offers a solution.
Businesses of all sizes can benefit from cloud computing. Start-ups in particular will be attracted to the costs savings and flexibility that cloud computing offers.
Johngary is working as a consultant in a firm providing network support in Brisbane. He has been involved in the IT industry for over 20 years. Johngary is also a writer, blogger and popular conference speaker.