When it comes to data management and information storage the cloud is an invaluable resource for your business. Being able to utilize the cloud rather than relying on on-site alternatives, either server-based or manual, can do a lot to increase productivity and reduce potential downtime.

From saving on the space that you'd have to allocate to physical servers to streamlining work process with accounts payable software, there are many ways that cloud-based solutions could benefit your business.

So, let's take a quick look at the key areas where the cloud can serve your business's needs.

Cloud backups

Most of us have had that moment where something goes wrong with a computer and wipes out potentially hours of work. Of course, you can't stop those situations from happening entirely – power cuts happen and hard drives will always find a way to corrupt eventually. But you can mitigate their impact.

Protect all your business's data just in case of an unfortunate situation by investing in a cloud backup service. With every important file and piece of data safely backed up to a cloud system, you never need to fear the risk of losing it.

Whatever happens to your physical machines, as long as you have a cloud backup you can simply restore it with no panic.

Cloud storage

Usually found in tandem with a backup service, cloud storage is another key tool for your business. More than just having the ability to recover data in case of something going wrong on-site, with a cloud storage system everything is there for you to access anytime.

With the rise in hybrid and remote working, the ability to access files and data even when not in the office is an important thing to have. Even so, you don't have to compromise on the security of your data by investing in solutions such as data encryption and password protection.

Wherever you or your staff are, you never need to worry about being unable to access the files or information that you need to do your jobs.

Cloud hosting

Running a website can be a costly investment, largely due to the high initial cost and upkeep of servers. If you need more than one server these costs can balloon further, particularly if your website starts to see a lot of incoming traffic.

Being able to cut out those high server costs makes it a lot more viable for businesses to have their own bespoke website, without having to rely on a WordPress account.

This is where cloud hosting comes in, letting you do away with the need for your business to have its own servers.

When you entrust your website to a cloud service the load is spread across virtual machines, rather than piling on a server in your office. Not only does this save on electricity bills, but redundancies built into the service will help to keep your site online, even when there's power cuts or other disruption.

Cloud software

There are many cloud-based software tools that can help to enhance your business operations. These are widely referred to as software as a service (SaaS) and cover a wide range of areas, offering you many ways to digitize and streamline your work processes.

Make your sales team's lives easier by implementing customer relationship management (CRM) software, which collates and keeps track of all the data related to your clients.

Or, give your finance department a hand with accounts payable (AP) automation software that can take over a lot of the more repetitive, time-consuming tasks of invoice handling.

Services like these can help to increase productivity by absorbing some of the workload, in addition to offering greater oversight and analytics of how well the processes are functioning.

If you really want to push your business forward in the months ahead then you can't go wrong with investigating just how a switch to the cloud could benefit you and your team.