Does a business need the cloud? About 8-10 years ago this question seriously puzzled the heads and owners of companies of different sizes and businesses. The concept of "there is nothing safer than own server" was in vogue, and the remote workplace was perceived as something exotic and strange.

Over time, technology has stepped forward, and user awareness of cloud solutions has increased. And now many people will confidently answer: of course, business needs clouds!

What is cloud technology?

In simple terms, cloud computing can be described as follows: it's a model of providing users with network access to a pool of computing resources through an API or browser, regardless of geographic location and time of day.

Users gain access to cloud resources by leasing a selected configuration of computing power. This capacity can be flexibly increased or decreased depending on the customer's current needs.

Advantages of cloud services over local hosting

Alpacked claims that cloud services help businesses solve everyday tasks and grow even in a crisis. The cloud infrastructure of an enterprise has several undeniable advantages:

1. 24/7 accessibility. Every user of the corporate IT system connected to the Internet can access information stored in the cloud at any time of the day or night.
2. Independence of hardware platform. Access does not depend on the device from which the user connects to the system – it may be a personal computer at the workplace, a tablet, or a smartphone.
3. Mobility. There is no binding of users of the corporate system to one workplace.
4. Cost-effectiveness. The company's costs are reduced due to the transfer of expenses from CapEx to OpEx. When a company's infrastructure is deployed in the cloud, the client pays only for computing capacity rental and software license rental as needed.
5. Flexibility. By building a cloud project, the company determines the actual need for resources. If necessary, you can increase these resources. Conversely, in the case of no need, reduce their volume. This will avoid overpaying for idle capacity.
6. Reliability. The level of reliability provided is much higher than the reliability of local resources.

Benefits of the cloud for business units

Proper use of cloud technology will ensure that all business units operate efficiently. Considering the benefits of cloud deployment of enterprise systems in the cloud above, we focused on general points. Now here are a few examples of how different corporate departments can benefit from the cloud:

Sales and marketing departments

• all relevant information is available to sales professionals from any device;
• optimizing solutions and sales;
• predicting customer behavior;
• development of marketing strategy.

Human resources department

• streamlining workflow and collaboration through shared access to information;
• simplifying the process of hiring, motivating, firing, and retaining employees;
• professional employee training, development of skills and competencies in a convenient on-the-job format.

Customer service

• customer self-service is available to customers, this leads to a reduction in the workload of operators;
• centralization of the database;
• consolidation of all operations of interactions with the client.

Business scenarios for using cloud computing

It is not necessary to migrate all of a firm's systems and applications to the cloud; you can select only a few. Let's look at a few simple scenarios for using cloud computing solutions for business.

#1. Backup storage

This is the simplest option that comes to mind – taking your data backup storage to the cloud. Backup experts advise storing copies of critical data on a remote site. If necessary, you can restore data from backups to an offsite location, thereby organizing a clone of your corporate infrastructure.

#2. The backup site

Setting up a fault-tolerant infrastructure locally is too costly both in terms of time and money. There is a way out – instead of building your own cluster, use the cloud to organize a backup site. Not only SMBs (small-medium businesses) but also large corporations use this option.

#3. Peak space

If you have a seasonal business, you can put only those applications that you use during a high-load period in the cloud. That's how you set up a hybrid cloud for your company! Many tools for integrating on-premises and cloud applications on the market will ensure the efficient operation of such infrastructure.

#4. Migration of the entire infrastructure to the cloud and abandonment of local hardware

This is the classic option, which is usually considered. It allows you to fully experience all the benefits of cloud technology, which we have already talked about. The provider, as a rule, takes care of the migration of the client's systems and tries to organize the move in such a way as to minimize the impact on the business.

To conclude

Anyway, today many companies already agree that the future lies in the cloud. They have been able to see for themselves that the benefits of the cloud significantly improve business efficiency.