Cloud computing is a much-discussed topic these days. You may initially see it only as another popular technology that requires substantial investment. While it may require significant upfront costs, you should also take a longer-range view and realize it could help your small business become more profitable.
Internal computing infrastructure upgrades can prove costly. The expenses could take an even bigger bite out of your budget if you’ll need to tackle another update relatively soon due to being in a growth phase.
The convenient thing about relying on a cloud computing provider is that it has the computing resources you require. You can then move your online infrastructure completely or partially off-site, minimizing the need for your enterprise to invest in new servers and related equipment. Consider putting the money saved toward parts of your company that quickly benefit from the extra financial resources.
Working with a cloud service can also translate to more profitability because it gives you more visibility and control over usage. For example, you could alter the computing resources allocated to a particular application based on fluctuating needs. If you use a lot of compute power during business hours and hardly any otherwise, you can shift resources to use them more heavily during certain parts of the day.
The increased visibility provided by cloud computing platforms can also give you more insight into processes or practices that need improvement. Perhaps you have a blend of on-premise and cloud-based resources and see that one kind is more energy-intensive. Learning that may help your company make a profitable change through smart resource allocation.
Perhaps you have not thought about how your small business would — or could — respond to unexpected data loss. If the company suffered a cyberattack or an employee accidentally deleted a folder of essential material, would efficiently restoring the information be an available option? It usually is if you depend on a company that stores things in the cloud.
One study revealed that 94% of companies never recover after data loss events. Many cloud-based services have automatic backup features, saving the content even if a person forgets to do it. Similarly, customers that use cloud-based services can often revert to previous versions of a site or restore data with a few clicks. Small businesses may otherwise waste hours or days recovering content or find it’s impossible to do so.
Another perk of cloud computing is that providers frequently make it available on a pay-as-you-go basis. As a result, small businesses don’t get locked into long-term service contracts that fail to reflect current and evolving needs. If you’ve been in that situation, you might have found your plan did not allow for increasing your computing capabilities to grow profits.
Perhaps you need more computing power in the last couple of months of the year to accommodate a holiday shopping rush. Maybe you’re starting a short trial of industrial robots at a manufacturing plant and require more computing resources due to the data collected by those machines. It’s easy to accommodate those changes when working with a cloud company that promotes flexibility.
Statistics indicated that nine out of 10 customers expect businesses to show social and environmental responsibility. People are also more likely to be loyal to companies that demonstrate those characteristics. Getting on board with cloud computing could become part of your dedicated push to become more sustainable. You could publish a blog or create a new website section explaining how cloud computing is a crucial part of your eco-friendly efforts.
Cloud computing companies typically invest in up-to-date equipment that works reliably without wasting energy. Also, the consolidated server arrangement in a cloud data center makes it easier to stay on top of climate control while remaining conscious of resource usage. Many cloud companies stay on the cutting edge of sustainable operations, often investing in high-tech, pioneering approaches.
Productivity is one of the factors that often affect profitability. If employees don’t have what they need to access information on-demand, their workflow slows down, and they risk disappointing clients due to the extra time required to complete tasks. Cloud computing supports profitability by allowing workers to log in from anywhere to get work done.
A small enterprise’s clients also benefit from having cloud platforms that clearly express needs or give feedback. For example, a project management tool instantly shows the latest work done or changes made to any authorized user, wherever they are in the world. The ability for people to work — together or alone — from anywhere with cloud services makes small businesses flexible and responsive. These are characteristics that often lead to more profits.
Cloud computing brands usually provide uptime guarantees to prove to customers they are reliable choices in the market. Such commitments mean companies perform regular maintenance and invest in equipment upgrades to prevent catastrophes.
Unexpected downtime frustrates small-business customers and hinders your profit potential. You can cut down on the likelihood of experiencing it by selecting a well-versed provider to handle your needs without issues. Discuss your anticipated computing requirements at length before making a decision, and ask for proof of their uptime promises before choosing one.
Providers of cloud services also offer security-related perks. Many leading providers continually upgrade their infrastructure to maximize energy efficiency while keeping everything running smoothly. They also invest in more security solutions than you might have at your small business. Most companies implement role-based access privileges for their staff and offer automatic software updates that get pushed to you as available.
There is also a wide assortment of cloud-based security products, ranging from anti-virus email service scanners to threat detection tools that use artificial intelligence. You can log in from anywhere to see security dashboards or statistics related to those products. They give information that helps you stay on top of security matters and cut the probability of a vulnerability affecting your business and profit potential.
You may have various reasons for being interested in cloud computing, and that’s understandable. As this overview shows, however, many of the perks associated with it could bring more profitability to your small business.
Lexie is a digital nomad and UI designer. If she’s not traveling to various parts of the country, you can find her at the local flea markets or hiking with her goldendoodle. Check out her design blog, Design Roast, and connect with her on Twitter @lexieludesigner.
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