Cloud Computing - The Pros And Cons For Business
Introduction
IntroductionThe technology may have been around for a while, but it has only been in the last 12 to 18 months that cloud computing has really taken off among UK businesses.
Innovation within the industry, coupled with a desire to reduce costs during the downturn, has seen a huge number of firms re-evaluate their traditional approach to IT. In fact, a recent survey conducted by research firm Loudhouse showed that 60% of UK businesses are now considering cloud computing solutions.
The case for turning to cloud computing is, for many, a strong one. How do you know whether its right for your business though?
What is it?
Cloud computing offers businesses a unique way of handling their data, software and hardware through the use of online services. It enables firms to store their e-mails, calendars, documents, computer programs and many other business items online.
Cloud services come in many forms, and can include both free and paid-for solutions. Picture sharing website Flickr, file hosting/sharing service Dropbox and collaboration suite Google Docs are good examples of free cloud computing services. All of these allow users to perform useful actions without the need to install software on their computer.
In addition to free services, businesses can choose from a number of paid solutions that will allow them to upload greater amounts of data. The more a company relies on cloud computing, the more complicated the process generally becomes. However, if the fit is right, such an investment can turn out to be enormously successful.
The Pros
Reduced infrastructure costs with data stored in the cloud, there is less strain placed on company servers. This means that potentially expensive server upgrades and maintenance costs can be averted. Some companies may use cloud computing to supplement their existing resources, while others may replace them altogether.
Access from anywhere as data is held online, company documents can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection. This has become more relevant following the growth of smartphones and other portable devices. Whether at home, on the train or in a poky hotel somewhere, cloud computing makes keeping in touch with the office easy.
Ability to expand quickly cloud computing could be the ideal route for small firms with big ambitions. The cloud is essentially limitless in storage capacity and allows you to upgrade at a moments notice. This could prove far more beneficial than having to order new hardware and anxiously await its arrival and installation.
Promotes collaboration cloud computing enables employees to instantly share their work and ideas with each other, irrespective of location. Joe Bloggs could be in New York and John Smith in London, but if they are using cloud computing they will be able to see exactly where they stand on a joint project. By dipping into the cloud for information, employees no longer need to e-mail key documents back and forth to each other.
The Cons
Security concerns quite understandably, some firms feel uncomfortable at the thought of putting large amounts of data on a system that they have little control over. When considering cloud technology, you need to feel confident that your information is secure at all times. If you are unsure, you should store only non-sensitive information in the cloud or simply avoid it altogether.
Cloud computing can be slow like some security issues, poor speed can stem from having a lack of control over your data. As information is hosted on another server, access to applications can be much slower than if loading files direct from your computer. It is therefore always worth quizzing providers over the speed you can expect to receive.
Constant internet connection a must anyone who has ever worked in an office is likely to remember a time when the internet has gone down. This would usually be a fairly minor inconvenience, but imagine if users depend on that connection to access all of their documents and business applications. If a company has unreliable internet access, cloud computing is simply not an option.
Resolution times may vary depending on which cloud solutions provider you opt for, you might find issues are not being resolved as quickly as you would like. This is because some companies host data outside of the UK, while others have a large number of clients and an equally lengthy list of queries to work their way through.
Conclusion
What is clear is that the decision of whether to embrace cloud technology should not be taken lightly. Given the potential complications that switching to a cloud-based solution can present, it is important that you can rest easy that the advantages will easily outweigh the drawbacks.
Speaking to a few providers is bound to make your decision easier. Asking them to name a few of their existing clients should give you a good clue as to the level of service you can expect. It could also be beneficial to compile a list of your main concerns and see if the provider can adequately address them in turn.
While cloud computing is not for everyone, it does present businesses with a tangible opportunity to streamline their processes and reduce their IT costs. For this reason, cloud computing is a phrase that we are likely to be hearing for some time to come.
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