Businesses strive for connectivity, agility, and flexibility in their processes now more than ever. With new tools emerging almost daily for software developers, there is an abundance of options to choose from. With endless choices, it’s important to enlist the right tools for your business needs. In recent years, there has been a trending movement toward cloud computing tools. These tools offer many benefits to businesses and individuals that were previously unavailable.
With outdated onsite storage and servers, businesses faced numerous challenges, like complicated compliance and regulatory stipulations, that can be alleviated by moving operations to a cloud-based system. Cloud services provide flexibility and mobility that eliminate the headache and allow your business to focus on developing innovative software.
Streamlined Workflow
Having operations accessible through the cloud is essential for managing teams, especially those who work remotely. As we continue to see an increase in remote team members, it’s becoming more vital for businesses to utilize software tools that are easily accessible for all employees, no matter where they’re located. The cloud makes this possible by utilizing a storage system that can be accessed on devices from anywhere in the world. Rather than relying on software that needs to be installed on every computer individually, cloud software tools allow for access over the internet on any device. This flexibility ensures projects are operating smoothly. Utilizing an option such as a cloud-based ERP software that incorporates a project management component can streamline workflow for developers who need to meet strict deadlines.
Cost-Savings
One major benefit of moving operations to the cloud is cost savings. Onsite storage is expensive and risky. According to Forbes, businesses lose an average of $100,000 dollars for every hour of downtime. Servers going down for maintenance, repairs, or malicious activity can leave remote developers crippled indefinitely. When using a cloud-based service, the vendor is responsible for costly updates, compliance measures, encryption, and security. These features must be regularly monitored by expensive IT staff and can easily leave a business handicapped if not properly maintained on-premise.
Another advantage of using a cloud service for data storage and computing power is that you only pay for what you use. If you have onsite servers, operations can be limited by the server’s capacity or can cost your business money for vacant space. Cloud operations allow for unmatched scalability. If a business needs to expand for a new client or downsize due to changes in the market, a cloud service makes it easy to do so with instantaneous cost value.
Greater Agility & Resilience
As software developers continuously adapt to changing demands in the market, new tools need to be used to adapt to changes in workflow as well. By moving operations to a cloud-based service, developers can easily integrate new software into their existing platform—eliminating compatibility issues between programs and operating systems.
Cloud tools can be more resilient to changes in political and economic challenges. Creating a connected workforce through cloud infrastructure provides workers with better mobility. This ensures the ability to continue business as usual if the need to work remotely arises.
Increased Security
The security features integrated into cloud tools have proven to be more secure than traditional software. Cloud service providers consistently have “a beat” on changes to security protocols in their cloud systems. With constant monitoring for malicious activity, cloud vendors ensure business data is always protected. Since the regulatory and compliance contingencies are stricter for cloud services than they are for onsite servers, businesses don’t need to worry about keeping up to date with constant changes to malware and ransomware.
With constant updates to cloud security by cloud service providers, businesses can be sure their data is private and secure. As security compliance changes regularly, it can be a lot to manage for the IT professionals at a small or even a large business. By using a cloud service for your business operations, the IT professional on staff will have more time to help employees with problems, ensure network stability, and fix onsite IT problems before they’re a bigger problem than they should be.
There are many reasons to move your business operations to the cloud. With increased security and costs based on usage, it is certainly a worthwhile investment for any growing business. With the number of remote employees now in the workforce, connectivity is key to ensuring productivity. By using a cloud-based service you will be prepared for changes in the market and events that could force the workforce to work remotely, too.
