Determine if moving to the cloud is right for you
The pandemic hit businesses hard as many lacked the resources to adapt and recover from unforeseen circumstances. As a result, many invested in cloud-based solutions to help them be more resilient. Here are some of the main benefits of a cloud IT environment that has contributed to the surge in cloud adoption worldwide.
Scalability
One of the biggest benefits of the cloud is scalability. When it’s time to grow the business or add another location, the cloud allows you to expand your information and business process quickly and easily. The central environment can add the new licenses and capacity to your business, and then deploy them to you in just a few hours. With the cloud, there is no need to order a new server and then wait for it to be installed and programmed. You can easily adjust performance and resources to meet your expanding business’s needs much quicker than with an on-premise solution.
“Moving to the cloud means our system never goes down anymore.” - Jim French, Co-Founder of French Brothers
Efficiency
Since the cloud requires no software installation or maintenance, you and your staff are free to spend more time growing your business, not on monotonous, manual workarounds. Additionally, you will have more room at your facility since you do not have to house an onsite server. Having access to data in real-time improves business planning, quickens the decision-making process, and makes it easier to respond to customers’ needs.
Cost
By using a cloud-based system, you can overcome the barrier that has kept you from making the commitment to a new business management solution—cost. A cloud-based system requires no infrastructure investments such as servers, hardware, and software updates. It also eliminates the need for large IT teams to maintain and the expenses associated with upgrading since the software is always current. With cloud solutions, the upfront fees can be dramatically lower than a legacy or “on-premise” system. Monthly costs are based on a “subscription” type of service and are much more predictable.
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“Moving to the cloud has given me at least two to three extra hours a day.” - Mike Winkler, Vice President of Worksmart Office Supply
Security and reliability
Data in the cloud is often more secure than on-site data, as the cloud environment’s firewall is likely much stronger than most businesses’. Cloud providers can offer you multiple layers of security and protection. Your data is automatically backed up and stored at multiple sites, a practice known as “redundancy,” so it is also safe from server theft, fire, flooding, or a natural disaster that might strike your facility.
Businesses have had a lot to overcome since the onset of the pandemic, and most have shown their resilience through cloud adoption. As more and more businesses transition to the cloud, there is no doubt that the investment will be instrumental in helping them be more agile and adaptable to change. Make sure you understand the cloud offerings of vendors you evaluate to ensure you aren’t getting left behind.
Want to learn more? Read our Ultimate Guide to Finding the Right Business Management Software to learn how to: