At the beginning of the COVID-10 pandemic, the demand was on: find a way to keep employees connected, safe, and productive wherever and whenever they work. Businesses had to make some quick decisions to enable their remote workforce. The first stirrings of the cloud revolution were in the air (pun intended).
What is cloud computing, anyway? Why migrate to the cloud? Are there benefits of cloud computing? You’ve got questions; we’ve got answers.
What is Cloud Computing?
Cloud computing is, at its core, the concept of using networks of remote servers rather than local servers. Cloud computing delivers services through an internet connection.
An essential part of the modern workplace, the cloud revolution means that businesses can keep files on remote databases and retrieve them whenever they are needed. The cloud enables remote data storage, databases, software, and servers. The term “cloud” means, in this case, the internet. In short, cloud computing is “on-demand internet computing.”
Cloud Revolution: Why Migrate to the Cloud?
If we were in school, we’d probably say you should migrate to the cloud “because everyone’s doing it,” and we’d be right. But why is everyone doing it?
Short answer: because the cloud computing benefits overwhelmingly make businesses better, more efficient, and far more flexible.
Migrate to the Cloud to Save Money
The cloud revolution just makes good financial sense. Cloud computing removes the high costs of IT by allowing your organization to do away with the costs of maintaining and equipping your traditional office’s equipment. You will find a happier IT team that gets to focus more on the delivery of IT rather than troubleshooting the daily IT issues that currently clog their in-boxes.
Some organizations are doing away with traditional offices altogether, saving money on leasing, janitorial services, utility payments, and other financial obligations.
Migrate to the Cloud to Stay Competitive
The best way to keep your edge is to stay one idea ahead of the competition. Businesses who migrate to the cloud are taking full advantage of advanced reporting, increased mobility, the ability to hire the best candidates for the job regardless of geographical location, increased collaboration, faster data retrieval…and that’s just the start. Businesses who don’t take part in the cloud revolution are already two steps behind those that do. 85% of businesses are currently using cloud technologies: are you?
Disaster Recovery is a Snap
Jane from accounting really did it this time. One wrong click, and all your 2020 financials have disappeared…forever.
Unless, that is, you are on the cloud.
Because your files are remotely stored rather than using traditional backups, cloud computing offers rapid restoration of files. You control the frequency of data backups and what you are backing up (no one needs their meme collection backed up, but that billing information was kind of a necessity).
Migrate to the Cloud to Increase Flexibility
Flexibility is one of the key cloud computing benefits and is the backbone of the cloud revolution. Cloud computing means you can increase mobility and increase scalability. You won’t need to update outdated hardware to increase storage space; just increase your cloud storage capacity.
Increased Security
Cloud computing offers advanced security features, including multifactor authentication, encryption, access control. These platforms supplement your organization’s existing cybersecurity strategies and help increase your data’s security far better than the traditional data storage models, despite having a remote workforce.
The Best Tool for the Cloud Revolution Continues to be Microsoft 365
Per a recent Integris survey, 98% of participants reported a successful remote workplace transition thanks to Microsoft 365.
Microsoft 365 is full of apps you probably already use, such as Excel, Word, and Outlook. It’s also full of things you might not know about (yet) like collaborative tools including Teams and Planner, and presentation tools like Publisher and PowerPoint. Microsoft 365 has also empowered file sharing and storage and enhanced security features. Here’s a handy checklist to get you started on your migration to Microsoft 365.
Want to chat with a pro to see if your organization is ready for the cloud revolution? Contact us now for a ten minute no obligation consultation.
Not ready to chat yet? Download our informational packed Modern Workplace Journey Essentials Kit, full of do-it-yourself checklists and assessments, eBooks, access to on-demand webinars, and much, much more. This bundle is a must-have for businesses, wherever they are in their cloud journey.