What is cloud computing, and how can it increase business productivity?

Unless you’ve been living in a bubble for the last few years, you will have undoubtedly heard the term “cloud computing” bandied around business and IT circles. Cloud computing is slowly revolutionizing how and where firms operate – but just what is the cloud and how can it improve productivity in a company? Read on to find out how migrating your firm’s IT to the cloud could see you increasing efficiency and output.

What is the cloud?

Before discussing the many advantages, cloud tech can bring to a firm; it’s perhaps best to consider exactly what the cloud is and how it operates. In essence, cloud computing can be considered any computer process handled outside your personal device on a remote machine, whether that be for storage or processing purposes.

Cloud computing is conducted mostly over the internet, with users connecting to servers strategically positioned in data centers around the world to offer the fastest possible connection speeds and enhanced Network Security. Companies buy space or processing power from cloud service providers, tailored precisely to their particular requirements, slashing the costs previously associated with running expensive, in-house computer networks.

Ways cloud computing will increase your firm’s productivity

The internet has changed massively in its very short thirty-year history (the first web page was published on August 6th, 1991 by Tim Berners-Lee), and its impact on the modern workplace cannot be overstated. Using web-based storage and services, companies have become truly adaptable to change and can now operate globally with everything from e-commerce sites to Wide Area Networks (WANs).

However, with the emergence of cloud computing, the internet now offers the power to augment all areas of your operations, including (but in no way limited to):

Mobile working and collaboration: The remote nature of cloud storage and processing means your employees can work from any location they can find an internet connection. With the vast majority of us now using connected smartphones, this means pretty much anywhere. Moreover, as files are stored online, staff can collaborate on projects making changes to files in real-time.

Enhanced processing power: As cloud providers support running software on their machines, your staff can perform processor-intensive tasks using the processing grunt of much larger computers. In effect, this means even the lowliest of handheld devices can be transformed into a powerhouse computer capable of running complex tasks remotely.

Adapting quickly to change: No company stands still and over the course of a year (or even a month), the requirements you have from your IT services are likely to change considerably (e.g., from hiring new staff to increasing your range of products and services, etc.). With cloud computing, you can rapidly upscale or downscale your service provision to match your particular requirements at any given moment, leading to vastly improved company agility and a greater Return on Investment (ROI).

Quicker workflows: As mentioned, cloud tech isn’t limited to just storage – rather, it’s possible to run software on your cloud space as well. If you project management tools, productivity apps, scheduling software, or Customer Relationship Management (CRM) apps on your cloud server, you can greatly enhance employee productivity by having one central resource for your employees, all held remotely and accessible anywhere, on any device.

This article does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors or the management of EconoTimes