Feature
Technology & Innovation cloud Investing in the By Eleanor Murray, PR executive at Synapse Information
It can’t have been that many years ago that any of us heard about this mystical “cloud” for the first time. However, it’s now hardly an exaggeration to say our entire lives are on the cloud – with services such as iCloud, Netflix, Cloud CFO, email providers and Spotify all utilising the technology. In fact, Deloitte’s Global Venture Capital Confidence Survey from late 2015 confirmed that cloud computing was the strongest technology investment sector for a third year in a row. The sudden ubiquity of cloud-based offerings is undeniable; there was an enormous 61 per cent rise in UK adoption rates between 2010 and 2015 and Alex Hilton of the Cloud Industry Forum even predicted that: “90 per cent of all businesses in the UK [would] be using at least one cloud service by the end of 2015”, anecdotal evidence suggests this has been achieved and possibly even surpassed. Despite the overwhelming movement of individuals
and businesses gravitating to some form of cloud technology, there are still those who have their reservations. One of the biggest concerns regarding the cloud is security. So what exactly is the cloud? The first thing to
understand is that the cloud isn’t a single physical thing in a single place, (i.e. the sky), rather, it is a large network of servers which provide different functions such as storing, processing and managing data. What it essentially means is that you can save and download your data from anywhere, at any time. Perhaps it is this contrast, moving from a bulky IT
server, a comforting eyesore that assures us that our documents are being looked after, to an untouchable cloud server, which makes us wary. Most companies, from Google to Synapse, are responding to this concern accordingly by automatically encrypt data for their users. Encrypted data provides an added layer of protection to your data. The benefits of the cloud for businesses large and
small are numerous. Investing in cloud technology in 2016 is no longer a dubious risk, but a prudent decision for many reasons:
Reliability - when your network is in the cloud, your data is always available. Stored offsite and backed up to other locations, all of your IT resources can be reinstated quickly and easily in the event of a server outage. Reduced downtime means a far more productive team.
Secure data - all data sent to the cloud is encrypted to prevent it being intercepted by online criminals. Where viruses are detected, infected files automatically fail to back up, thereby preventing a more widespread infection across your network.
Lower cost - thanks to economies of scale, a third party cloud computing provider can make enterprise-level technology available to small business clients at a fraction of the cost and implementation time. SMEs become more agile than their larger competitors, who are hindered by the time it takes their in-house IT team to roll out new systems and services.
Reduce IT expenditure - there’s no getting away from the fact that IT can be expensive – but using a cloud computing small business specialist means that someone else bears the brunt of those daunting upfront costs. Expand your network’s capabilities without investing in inflexible new hardware, eliminate server license fees and retain access to IT experts without breaking the bank on consultants.
Collaborate and connect - when everything is stored online, a dispersed workforce can share documents and work together far more effectively. With full, real time access to their workflow, project teams can connect and collaborate live, promoting innovation, speeding up NPD, reducing time to market and improving customer response time.
With more advantages than risks, it seem that now, more than ever, is time to invest in the cloud, if you haven’t already done so!
Eleanor Murray, PR executive at Synapse Information
‘The benefits of the cloud for businesses large and small are numerous. Investing in cloud technology in 2016 is no longer a dubious risk’
Paul Drechsler, president of the CBI recently commented that small firms do not need deep pockets to embrace technology. Yet Lloyds Bank, in their 2016 UK Business Digital Index, note that 38% of small businesses and 49% of charities lack basic digital skills.
This suggests a major disconnect in understanding the benefits that can be gained from using new technology. Of course, care needs to be taken not to expose your business to cyber risks, but these can be managed.
For an independent & no-obligations discussion on how Re-envisageIT can support & mentor you step by step contact: Paul Richards T:0800 001 6659
www.re-envisage.it
48 CHAMBERLINK December 2016/January 2017
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