Cloud computing is becoming the core of modern business. According to Cisco, cloud traffic will amount to 95% of total data center traffic by 2021. We are well headed towards that number.

So, why is cloud computing critical to business success?

Cloud computing helps modern businesses perform better through better cost efficiency, increased automation, better storage capacity, enhanced security, and continued competitiveness. Let us dive into each benefit and learn how your business can be transformed.

Cloud Computing Overview

Cloud computing uses a network of remote servers hosted on the internet to store, access, process, and manage data instead of a local server or a personal computer. Thus, the “cloud” physically exists as a network of servers within a data center.

All you need to access and use cloud computing is an internet connection. That’s one of the reasons why many businesses find it attractive.

Cloud computing vendors offer cloud services such as simple cloud storage to cloud infrastructure like AWS. Cloud computing has become a huge phenomenon in business that major companies such as Netflix, YouTube, and Spotify host their content on the cloud.

That’s why you can simply connect your device to the internet and enjoy their services.

7 Reasons Why Cloud Computing is Critical to Your Business Success

Cloud services help businesses tremendously in their quest for efficiency, effectiveness, and profitability. Here are seven ways cloud computing is critical to your business’ success.

1. Cost-Efficient

This is one of the most appealing reasons for businesses to get into cloud computing. Cloud computing eliminates the need to pay for large amounts of disk and storage space. You also don’t need to buy, install, or upgrade any pricey software.

Cloud providers also let you pay for applications and storage only when you need them. Many applications are also included free of charge. You can also manage your spending based on demand, saving your business a lot of money during troughs.

With cloud computing, you also don’t have to install or maintain expensive hardware such as in-house servers, which saves your business more money and time.

2. Easy to Use

Cloud computing is easier to set up and run compared to when you’re running your own infrastructure. The cloud also allows you to download and install the software you need on the cloud servers. Moreover, you get more storage than you typically have in a traditional local hard drive setup.

With easy implementation comes greater adaptability and increased competitiveness when using cloud computing services. If you need more storage, you can easily get more by clicking on a few buttons and paying any applicable fee.

Your employees can also quickly access company information and data plus software updates as long as they have a device that can connect to the internet.

3. Automation and Increased Storage Capacity

Most cloud computing functions don’t need human interaction to trigger them. Syncing files across devices and backups are carried out automatically, making the business storage solutions more robust. This makes your business less prone to data loss, and every employee gets a consistent view of the business data and information.

Moreover, the cloud keeps your software up-to-date automatically. You thus spend less time worrying about running the latest and most secure software. You also get larger storage capacities than possible in traditional server and hard disk setups.

4. Scalability

Cloud computing simplifies scaling in businesses. You can fluctuate the use and cost of cloud services based on demand. Thus, your business is always operating at the most optimal profitability. This scalability favors most fast-growing businesses and those in highly volatile markets.

For instance, you can demand more storage as your business needs it or downgrade to less storage if your business no longer requires that extra buffer. As market demand shifts, you can also scale the amount of cloud computing power the business needs.

Scaling happens quickly, often taking minutes to a few hours to set up the service. Your business thus suffers fewer interruptions during scaling.

5. Flexibility

Cloud computing makes businesses more flexible which makes them more competitive. Cloud computing’s flexibility also makes businesses future-proof.

Cloud service providers can quickly upgrade their systems to keep up with the fast-paced technology. A business seeking to advance to new hardware or software can select their new options on the cloud service provider’s portal and get upscaled to the new system.

Businesses can do this today at a fraction of the cost and time they would typically incur with a self-managed system. Moreover, they don’t have to hire new talent, fire the old ones, or retrain staff because of the new and improved infrastructure.

The interface they use to interact with the cloud can remain the same, despite rapidly changing underlying technology.

6. Enhanced Security and Compliance

Businesses today are subject to more stringent data security and compliance measures. Many cloud service providers are also enterprise-level organizations that employ strict compliance, security, and data protection standards.

These providers dedicate many resources to improving security and regulatory compliance year over year. That’s because they provide storage solutions to businesses holding sensitive data and information about the company and its customers.

That makes cloud computing a great choice for businesses in tightly regulated industries such as healthcare, pharma, government, and defense.

7. Continued Growth

Cloud computing has a 50-year long history. Its decade-long development is now bearing fruits with the widespread, fast-paced adoption the platform has been enjoying for over a decade now. And as far as statistics show, cloud computing is still set for continued, fast-paced growth.

Dropbox, for instance, announced that it has well over 700 million users. Other players are emerging in the industry, and new technology, such as IoT, will revolutionize how businesses operate.

Most cloud computing platforms are also incorporating powerful technologies such as machine learning and AI that are poised to transform how businesses run. This rapid growth will continue to impact the success of businesses using cloud computing directly.

Invest in Cloud Computing Today

If you want your business to grow and scale rapidly while staying on tabs with ever-evolving technology, consider moving it to the cloud. Get the help of a professional to see the best way you can modernize how you do business.