Put simply, using “the cloud” means storing and accessing data and programs over the internet instead of on a server or your computer’s hard drive. It is a network of servers, each having a different function such as running applications or storing data.
Many of us use the cloud without even knowing it; Gmail, Facebook and Instagram are all everyday examples of the cloud. The Cloud makes great business sense – especially for SMEs. It’s simple to switch to and easy to scale up and down and means your business is paying for what you need, and nothing more.
Thanks to the spread of superfast fibre broadband, more businesses are realising what the cloud can do for them. The cloud has come of age in Ireland, but in case you are still on the fence, we have outlined 6 great ways using the cloud can benefit your business.
1. The Cloud Requires no Infrastructure
When you run your own servers, you are looking at large up-front capital costs. But in the world of cloud computing, financing that capital investment is someone else’s problem. With everything saved in the cloud, you don’t have to spend time and money buying, upgrading and maintaining hardware that is very often disproportionate to the needs of your business.
The cloud holds all your information securely and can be accessed anywhere via an internet connection. Going with the cloud lets you invest in what’s important – growing your business – rather than costly infrastructure.
2. The Cloud Leads to Lower IT & Maintenance Costs
Since you are not responsible for infrastructure you avoid any maintenance costs associated with it. Being in the cloud means someone else is looking after your infrastructure. Not only will this save you money, but it can also remove the headache of dealing with servers and complex hardware maintenance.
With your servers hosted off site, you no longer have to budget so heavily for service cost and repairs. This can significantly reduce your businesses staffing expenditure, allowing you to redeploy your valuable IT resource to more productive activities, which in turn makes your business more efficient and profitable.
4. The Cloud Brings Predictable Billing Costs
The Cloud allows businesses to use their provider’s high-quality servers with predictable ongoing costs rather than requiring large up-front investments and high maintenance fees. Remember that when you are running your own servers a backup is always required – you don’t want to experience downtime in case of a failure but at the same time these costly backups will often go unused. So, why not let your service provider deal with securing your data?
5. The Cloud Scales with your Business
Being in the cloud brings natural economies of scale. The scalability of cloud-based systems means that your services can grow to meet increased demand and scale down during slow periods. There is no need to worry whether your business can handle a surge in activity, or how much money you’re wasting running inactive servers.
6. The Cloud is Environmentally Friendly
Simply put cloud computing uses less electricity. Businesses can dramatically reduce their energy costs by moving to the cloud. By using only the servers they need, businesses become more efficient with the power they use and reduce overhead costs. Idle servers waste energy so businesses working in the cloud can enjoy reduced energy costs while also being friendlier to the environment.
How a Cloud Service can Save you Money
A great example of a cloud service that saves money is a cloud-based VoIP service. Cloud based VoIP services like Magnet Talk can save you money by cutting out the cost of business phone line rental. It works over the internet so once you are connected online that’s all you need! As a company grows the number of phone lines can rocket… as will their line rental fees!
We are all now familiar with MS Teams and the benefits of remote working. Magnet Talk MS Teams integration creates one seamless communications service that lets employees make and receive calls from any number of devices, including laptops, PCs, tablets, and smartphones. All at the push of a button. Implementing it involves zero downtime and immediate savings are generated. Microsoft Teams and Magnet Talk makes the work-anywhere revolution a reality for your people and your business.
Want to learn more about how your business can leverage the cloud? Get a quote from us today and see what your business can save.
