Cloud technology continues to change the way entire industries operate, especially as businesses require more flexible solutions to adapt to COVID-19.  Essentially, the cloud delivers services such as applications, desktops, and server processing power over the internet, giving businesses access to powerful solutions at an affordable price. 

Businesses generally use the cloud to store data in off-site servers to offload storage space in-house and give users the flexibility to access their files from anywhere, whether they’re in locations such as Chicago, Tampa, or even abroad. While cloud storage solutions are one of the most popular cloud services chosen by businesses, this merely scratches the surface of what cloud technology is capable of.

Beyond cloud storage, businesses of all sizes get a host of other benefits from the cloud. Below are four methods in which companies are utilizing cloud technology to streamline their operations and drive efficient growth. 

Fully managed cloud applications

The most common form of cloud computing that even the smallest businesses are exposed to are applications delivered via the web, also known as Software-as-a-Service (SaaS). 

Unlike traditional software, cloud applications don’t need to be installed locally or require the purchase of lifetime software licenses. Instead, users can access them through web browsers for a monthly subscription fee. There are a wide array of cloud applications available for businesses, including productivity platforms like Microsoft 365, project management tools like Asana, and customer relationship management software like Salesforce.

What’s great about cloud applications is that they can dramatically increase an organization’s productivity and bottom line. Microsoft 365, for instance, allows employees to collaborate on company documents, sync their schedules through shared calendars, and communicate seamlessly using Microsoft Teams. 

Given the improving availability of high-speed internet connections, the cloud allows for employees to virtually work from almost anywhere they please, which is especially important for enabling remote work in the midst of COVID-19.     

With SaaS, everything from the infrastructure to operating systems required to run applications are fully managed by a cloud services provider. These providers install the latest software updates, proactively monitor app performance, and address potential security threats, all for a fraction of the cost of hiring in-house technicians to do these processes. That means enterprise applications that were previously unfeasible investments due to budgetary and labor constraints are now within reach for small businesses, allowing for a more equitable field of business when competing against larger firms.  

Secure and centralized cloud desktops

With traditional desktop environments, sensitive data saved on someone’s computer can be compromised by cybercriminals and rogue insiders. Meanwhile, unwitting employees may accidentally leave their computers unattended or use locally installed applications in a way that exposes companies to a security breach. These scenarios are not only extremely difficult to prevent, but provisioning, decommissioning, and managing desktops based on the company’s needs can be expensive and time-consuming processes for internal IT administrators.  

Desktop-as-a-Service (DaaS) eliminates these issues by giving businesses a way to centrally manage employee desktops. Instead of accessing data and applications locally, employees can log in to a remote virtualized desktop that’s hosted in a cloud service provider’s data center.

IT staff can quickly deploy and remove virtualized desktops in batches rather than having to individually install new operating systems, applications, and software updates on each employee’s device. Administrators can also determine the applications, settings, and user restrictions in these virtualized desktops to ensure everything is consistent with company and security policies. For example, virtual desktops could be set up so that only accounting staff are allowed access to financial software and data. 

Additionally, security risks tend to be lower when using virtualized desktops, because if a laptop or mobile device is stolen, administrators can simply disconnect devices from the virtual desktop. The DaaS provider’s data centers housing all virtualized desktops also tend to boast powerful cyber defenses, mitigating the risk of a major security breach.

On-demand IT infrastructure 

Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) is a fundamental cloud computing service that many small businesses rely on. IaaS refers to the delivery of virtualized computing resources — like processing power, storage space, and anything else required to run a system — over the internet. 

An IaaS provider manages the physical infrastructure such as the servers and networking equipment, but gives businesses full reign over how those resources are used. If businesses require more processing power to analyze large amounts of data or host a website, they can simply request for the computing resources they need without breaking the bank. Through scalable cloud computing resources accessible via the internet, even a small company with limited resources can run resource-intensive applications.   

Ultimately, IaaS allows businesses to take advantage of much more powerful hardware without having to deploy on-premises servers themselves. Payment for IaaS is usually on a pay-as-you-go subscription basis, which is far more economical than setting up an IT infrastructure to support the company’s short- and long-term computing needs. Plus, there’s no need to burden internal IT departments with infrastructure management, since IaaS providers take on these responsibilities. 

Data backup and recovery

Another use for cloud technology is secure data backups. When businesses store data in the cloud, they’re essentially sending a copy of their data to off-site data center facilities that are managed by teams of professionals. This way, if company data is compromised due to a natural disaster, power outage, or cyberattack, businesses will still have a copy of their data stored safely in the cloud. As long as employees have an internet connection, they can recover their files with ease and continue working uninterrupted.

Off-site data centers are typically situated in areas unaffected by local disasters like floods and earthquakes, and use multiple countermeasures to minimize risks. In fact, the best cloud backup providers store data in highly resilient servers with backup generators as well as advanced threat prevention systems, firewalls, and encryption software. What’s more, providers regularly test data recovery procedures and maintain servers around the clock to ensure company data is accessible at any time.

Related reading: Find out how to minimize work from home security risks. 

 

Incorporating cloud technology is undoubtedly a game changer for any business. If you’re looking for ways to improve your bottom line, enable flexible working conditions, and gain access to enterprise-level technology, then it’s high time you migrate to the cloud. At Dynamics Solutions Group, we recommend the best cloud solutions for your company and help you implement them seamlessly. Call us today to get started!