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The pros and cons of moving your business to the cloud

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Cloud computing has enabled huge leaps to be made in how efficiently businesses operate. The potential is enormous and immediate benefits are immensely useful, but as with anything new and cloud-based, it’s important to consider how appropriate the technology will be for your business.

The main benefits of moving your business to the Cloud come from cutting out the need for expensive infrastructure related to maintaining a server. Costs from data storage, software updates, data management, server maintenance and licensing fees can all be scrapped if you move to the storage in the sky. The Cloud can even come pay-as-you-go, with scalable payment models for the thrifty spenders. Cloud providers focus on advanced storage and powerful servers, leaving their users free to use their I.T budget for their projects and clients, rather than on technical infrastructure.

Various Cloud models are available, offering not just virtual storage but also virtual platforms for users to develop and use software made purely in the Cloud. Taking the virtual platforms and software options saves money on infrastructure associated with downloading and maintaining those elements in-house. Outsourcing the tools of the business can mean they are accessible from anywhere, potentially boosting productivity as multiple people on various devices can continue your projects on the fly. And if storm clouds do roll in and your virtual storage fails, back up servers will be there to carry the load and recover what was lost.

Now it may sound tempting, but there are a few factors to consider in this fast growing industry. The main concern for many business owners is security. Cloud storage has improved since the iCloud leaks of years gone by, but security is naturally still users’ main focus as all their data has been gathered in one place. Working to integrate Cloud services with a trusted IT partner is the safest way to move your business into the Cloud.

Having all that data connected across multiple devices and locations can make security difficult, so it is essential to check protocols for new or old employees being added or removed from the admission register. The interconnectivity and interdependency of Cloud data and servers can be a huge advantage but when trouble hits, it can be one of its biggest weaknesses, as one unmanaged machine can result in a leak.

If you do not currently work with an IT company or have a managed services contract, one approach could be to tread the line between local servers and the Cloud by only using the Cloud for expensive software. For example, using services like Salesforce for managing sales and customer relationships, or Office 365 for online access to Microsoft’s suite of productivity tools. Cloud storage services can serve as an effective means of backing up and/or sharing data.

At Konnetix, we provide a free health check for your business, which means our highly-skilled team are able to identify and suggest options that fit to your business and growth plans. The Cloud has a whole host of benefits that are delivering great results for businesses of different shapes and sizes.

For more information about the benefits of moving your business to the Cloud, call Konnetix on 01462 417070 or email on info@konnetix.com