How Cloud Services Can Help Scale Your Business
Most businesses are constantly looking for ways to scale and grow, but in today's ever-shifting technological world, they often fail to factor in one of the most essential and fundamental aspects of scaling any modern business, fluctuating IT needs.
Having robust IT infrastructure and proactive support systems in place can mean the difference between a company thriving in the modern business landscape or being left behind and overwhelmed by paper-based systems and cumbersome onsite equipment that are no longer fit for purpose.
With the introduction and evolution of cloud services, businesses now have access to streamlined and flexible cloud-based systems that can do everything from securely storing and backing up data, enhancing overall security, managing digital assets, and ultimately helping to support, expand and scale your business in a way that are tailored specifically to your company and its needs.
So what is cloud services? Why should you use cloud services? And how can they help to scale your business? We explain some of the key examples and benefits of using cloud services to scale your business.
What is cloud services?
Cloud services, also known as cloud computing, are a range of IT resources and applications that include data storage and processing, enhanced security, software as a service (SaaS), platform as a service (PaaS) and overall IT infrastructure. Cloud services are delivered on demand to companies and individual users over the Internet, often on a pay-as-you-go basis via a subscription.
Rather than having clunky, expensive and time-consuming systems onsite, cloud services are provided virtually from online vendors anywhere in the world, allowing all your systems to be streamlined, secure and easily accessible to everyone in your business, wherever they are.
How do cloud services work?
Each business is unique, so it helps that there is a range of cloud services that can be tailored specifically to a company's needs. Cloud services can be increased or decreased depending on your business requirements, making cloud services a real asset for businesses in terms of scalability.
Below are the three types of cloud-associated services that can be used to scale your business.
1. Private cloud
A private cloud provides a dedicated cloud space for a single business and can be stored on onsite servers or at a virtual data centre. As a private cloud service is only accessible to a sole business, it provides a high level of control over your data, security protocols and IT infrastructure, with the ability to increase and decrease IT resources when needed.
2. Public cloud
A public cloud is fully virtualised (remote) and uses the Internet to store and manage access to data and various applications using platforms like Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud and Amazon Web Services. With cloud services and resources delivered over the Internet, businesses have the flexibility to pay for cloud resources as and when they need them, allowing them to either scale or minimise their usage. A public cloud offers employees the flexibility to access IT resources on or offsite and is an excellent way to decrease overall IT expenditure. Public cloud is used by very small and very large businesses, some examples you might of heard of include, HubSpot, Sales Force, Xero.
3. Hybrid cloud
Hybrid cloud services combine a private cloud with a public cloud. Hybrid cloud services are an excellent solution for businesses that need to store sensitive data while also allowing employees access to information and shared resources in the public cloud for the company's day-to-day running while keeping critical security data systems in place.
Why use cloud services?
Since the global pandemic, remote and hybrid working has become the norm for many businesses. With ongoing labour shortages worldwide, many employees are now looking for flexible working conditions that fit their lifestyles. Thankfully, cloud services offer companies an option to meet their employees' needs whilst also ensuring they have highly secure access to the worlds best cloud services to meet the demands of ever-evolving business requirements.
Other key benefits of using cloud computing in business include:
1. Easy collaboration
Seamless, virtual storage and easy data access are among the most important things to consider when scaling a business. When using cloud services, your data is readily available to anyone with an Internet connection and the right credentials to access the information, making collaboration and working from home as hassle-free as possible.
2. Simple scalability
For many businesses scaling is the ultimate goal. When using cloud services, you have the flexibility to increase and decrease the number of users with access to cloud applications as and when needed. It's a common assumption that only large businesses can scale with cloud services, but any business, whatever the size, can benefit from using cloud computing.
3. Cost-effective
Not only are legacy IT systems that require onsite equipment inconvenient, but they are also expensive to maintain. With cloud services, you remove the need for the substantial investment of in-house server storage systems and costly application requirements. As most cloud services operate on a pay-as-you-go system, you only pay for what you use, meaning you have more money to invest in other business priorities.
4. Data backup and security
As modern businesses increasingly move online, data and cybersecurity are a genuine concern. As cloud services are constantly updated in line with the latest technological advances, you can be safe in the knowledge that your data is stored securely and is safe from malicious threats, power surges or even natural disasters that can devastate your systems without the need for more expensive and time-consuming interventions.
5. Lead the market
When it comes to scaling in business, you need to ensure you are competitive. Cloud services help companies do this by giving them access to leading technology that can be updated and deployed quickly and efficiently for a fraction of the cost, meaning your business is always ahead of the game.
How can cloud services help you scale your business?
Cloud services are an excellent tool for businesses that want to scale. As outlined above, the variety of cloud service options offers cost-saving flexibility that easily and efficiently enhances your productivity with minimal fuss and downtime for your business.
In the wake of the global pandemic, one of the most significant assets of using cloud services has been the ability for businesses to continue working and collaborating in a secure cyber environment. While many companies still using paper-based and in-office systems were not set up to offer the capability of working from home, those who used cloud computing for their businesses could efficiently hit the ground running.
Cloud services are increasingly becoming the way of the future. Businesses not already implementing this advanced technology could be missing out on access to cutting-edge technology that, in turn, helps boost productivity and growth.
As with most IT implementations, if you are considering moving your business to cloud computing, it helps to speak to a knowledgeable and trusted IT professional who can outline and help you evaluate the best cloud services for scaling your business.
At Think Concepts, we take the guesswork out of finding the right products and services to help solve your unique business problems, helping you find the right fit for scaling your business with minimal downtime and fuss.
Thinking about moving to cloud services? Contact our expert team today.