Are advertised cloud benefits by cloud consulting providers realistic? - Amit Gupta, CEO & Founder, Rapyder Cloud Solutions
Cloud technology and agility are the newest business trends. Is this technology new? Absolutely not. It has been in the market for over two decades and despite data pointing to business efficiency, cost reduction, and competitive edge, a major portion of the business community operates without it.
What does Cloud Offer?
Experts saw the cloud as a way ahead to achieve business continuity, but companies looked at it as a part of the future business expansion strategy. Early adopters were tech-savvy business segments and industry leaders who recognised the countless benefits of agile technology. This adoption increased their business efficiency, customer service, and overall profit, compelling others to think about it.
Advantages of cloud computing technology
Most leaders are now moving to the cloud, but if you still have certain inhibitions about it, then here are some key benefits that cloud computing offers which will add to your business profit and increase value.
1. High-Speed Movement
Cloud tech allows users to spin new specs in a matter of seconds that empowers businesses to develop and try new ideas without any infrastructural and process limitations.
2. Automatic Updates and Integration
It is easy to test new products, software and deploy the same in a cloud environment without wasting too much time. It enables high velocity of product innovation, feature integration, and service add ons. Cloud computing software also has common tools that make it easier to detect production issues, if any.
3. Increased Efficiency and Cost Reduction
Since cloud infrastructure is maintained by third-party service providers, companies need not spend any money on maintenance and onsite hardware. This reduces costs in hardware, facilities, utilities & infrastructure purchase, or maintenance. Cloud also cuts costs related to downtime, thus increasing efficiency.
4. Data Security
One of the major business concerns is data security. Data breaches cost companies revenues, customer loyalty and brand reputation.
Cloud solved the issue of data security by providing advanced security features that guarantee secure data storage and handling. Features like granular permissions, access management and implementation of baseline protections such as authentication, access control and encryption reduce the attack surface. These features are also supplemented by other security add-ons to tighten data protection and security.
5. Scalability
Different businesses have different IT needs and using the cloud enables businesses of different sizes & shapes to scale up/down department and business efficiency accordingly. It is ideal for businesses with fluctuating needs or those with a constant demand without increasing financial spend on infrastructural development.
Agility also provides a competitive edge and scalability without infrastructural limitations increases overall business performance and profit.
6. Collaboration
Cloud tech is known for enabling collaboration between varied teams operating from different geographical locations and time zones. Teams can operate parallelly without any interference, hence, increasing transparency and reducing conflicts.
7. Mobility
Cloud computing technology can be accessed from any smart device, enhancing team and business mobility. Teams can not only operate from different locations but can also connect with clients & customers instantly.
8. Disaster Recovery & Data Loss Prevention
Loss of data in any situation can prove to be a business hazard. With constant data sync and availability of data at different cloud locations, recovery of data in case of any natural disaster is easy. It also helps with data loss in scenarios of human error or natural disaster.
While we beam about the advantages of cloud computing, it does come with certain limitations. Few of them are listed below:
1. Internet availability & connectivity
Cloud technology is internet-dependent as every data is stored in the cloud and access is possible through internet connectivity. There is no other way to operate cloud computing technologies.
2. Vendor lock-in
Vendor lock-in is also a major concern for cloud computing users. Changing vendors can be a problem as different vendors use different platforms and make data transfer an issue.
3. Limited Control
Although vendors provide complete system access and data control to users, there is minimal control over function and execution in a cloud infrastructure as it is completely managed by vendors.
4. Security
Cloud technology is known for providing the best security, but it is not hackproof. Every data shared is stored in an external space and is managed by third-party service providers. This transfer and management of data make it prone to hacks.
Cloud Computing Is the Future
It is a fact that not every enterprise finds cloud trustworthy and is contemplating the need to switch. However, circumstances like Covid-19 proved the importance of cloud tech in the business segment globally. Today, cloud computing adoption is at its peak. Enterprises have not only understood the benefits of adopting cloud tech and agility but also know that it is the only way going forward.
While every technology comes with certain limitations, the advantages outweigh them. So yes, the cloud benefits advertised by cloud consulting providers may help your business a great deal in keeping your business afloat & reaching your target audience easily.