Cloud Technologies for Small Businesses

Many businesses are adopting a form of cloud computing to increase operational efficiency. According to Hosting Tribunal, 90% of companies currently use cloud technologies to manage data.

Whether your business currently uses the cloud or looking to get started with cloud hosting, it is important to understand what cloud technology is and the benefits it can offer.

What is Cloud Computing?

Essentially, cloud computing is the hosting and delivery of computing services over the internet. This includes storage, processing, software, infrastructure, services, analytics, intelligence and databases. Services that do not require you to use computer hardware physically can be collected on the cloud. Typically, there are three kinds of cloud hosting; private, public and hybrid.

1. Private cloud is tailored specifically for your business. Businesses are in complete control of a private cloud. While this offers more flexibility and customization features, it is usually more costly to develop, and you will need to have an IT team to manage the services.

2. Public cloud is hosted and maintained by an external provider. Public cloud tends to be more cost-effective and convenient than private cloud since it is maintained and hosted by the provider. Since the cloud provider is responsible for maintenance, it is essential to work with a provider that your trust.

3. Hybrid cloud is the development, hosting and maintenance of the cloud between the business and the provider. Essentially, hybrid cloud is a combination of both private and public cloud. Hosting will be both on-premise and on public cloud.

The choice between private, public, or hybrid cloud services depends on the needs of the business. Different types of companies will have different cloud requirements and should choose services according to their needs. Things such as budget, information privacy, customization requirements, and time will be determining factors.

What are the benefits of cloud computing for small businesses?

Cost

Cloud computing eliminates the need for on-site data storage, which can be expensive to install and maintain. Additionally, with public cloud hosting, you only pay for the amount of data that you use. Many businesses choose to store information on the cloud as a cost-effective alternative to on-site storage. While the cost of cloud computing is dependant on different factors, more often, cloud computing is remarkably more affordable than storing and maintaining data on-site.

Scalability

You can scale your cloud storage exactly to your needs. The more cloud services you need, the more you pay, but you get to save on what you don’t use.

Security

Security tends to be a big concern for businesses looking to adopt cloud hosting. Businesses are hesitant to allow for a separate provider to have access to private data. This is the primary reason that some companies choose a private cloud as opposed to a public cloud. While there can be concerns with cloud privacy, there are also benefits.

Cloud servers have advanced security technologies that can better protect data from external technological threats. Cloud services can recognize and adapt patterns of threats to take preventative action. The cloud is also more difficult for unauthorized personnel to access, reducing internal data theft. Businesses that have high-security concerns may want to use a private cloud option to ensure control and access to information.

Recovery

Cloud storage can be backed up onto remote servers, therefore, protecting stored data. If data is lost, it can be recovered easily through the cloud. Losing data is a pressing concern for on-site servers. If the server goes down, it can be costly to fix and the data could be unrecoverable. The cloud protects data better than on-premise hosting, which can save time and money.

Mobility

Most cloud providers offer mobile access. Users can conveniently access their cloud data from anywhere with an internet connection and keep up to date with operations. As working from home becomes more popular, accessing data from various locations is becoming increasingly important. Cloud services offer business owners and employees increased mobility when working, increasing job satisfaction and productivity.

Conclusion

Cloud computing can help small businesses store and maintain information as well as increase efficiency for operations. Most importantly, cloud computing can help protect your business’s data and ultimately save you time and money.

There are many cloud hosting providers to choose from, and selecting a trusted partner is vital. Let’s Nurture is partners with different hosting providers and can help your business get started on the cloud today.