15 Reasons to Consider the Cloud

Cloud computing is a synonym for distributed computing, allowing for a program to be available on multiple connected computers, all at the same time. Cloud-based technologies are the future, moving from the old mentality of buy, own and depreciate to the new buy it as a service. A study conducted by Skyhigh Networks revealed that on average an organization will utilize 545 cloud services; the highest use by one organization being 1,769.The focus of the cloud is to maximize the effectiveness of shared resources. Collaboration, development, and file sharing are the fastest growing categories of cloud usage.

Here are 15 popular reasons for considering using cloud computing.

1. Agility. Allows users to redirect technological resources and re-provision infrastructure quickly.
2. Association. Increased access to a great pool of talent.
3. Collaboration. Internal and external sharing can be completed effortlessly.
4. Cost. Convert a capital expense into an operating expense. Infrastructure is provided by a third-party, and pricing is generally usage-based and requires fewer IT skills for implementation.
5. Independence. Access is no longer limited by the device or user location. Using a web browser, the information can be accessed via the Internet.
6. Interaction. Contact from everywhere, by whomever you choose. Allows for customers to have access to information and data, gaining leverage for improved outcomes.
7. Maintenance. Cloud computing applications are easier to maintain, since they do not need to be installed in each user’s computer and can be access for a different location.
8. Manageable. Data assets can be managed with a monitoring strategy.
9. Multi-tenancy. Sharing of resources spreads the costs across a large pool of users. This allows for the centralization of infrastructure in locations with lower costs. Also, the peak-load capacity will increase and be optimized. And finally, multi-tenancy allows for the utilization and efficiency of a system that is otherwise only 10-20% utilized.
10. Performance. A system interface constructed of web services allows for consistent performance.
11. Personnel. IT departments will include staffed for vendor management and negotiations. Limiting the need for expert IT skills and diverse security exposure.
12. Reliability. Use in multiple sites increases the dependability, making cloud computing suitable for business continuity and disaster recovery.
13. Scalability and elasticity. Cloud computing offers on-demand provisioning of resources on real-time. Meaning that an engineer does not have to manage for peak loads.
14. Security. Often better in the cloud than other traditional systems; primarily due to providers being able to devote resources to solving security issues. But the complexity and ever-evolving concerns are increased when data is distributed over a wider area.
15. Virtualization. Applications can be easily shifted from one physical server to another, without compromising utilization.

Overall, cloud computing allows for users to benefit from multiple technologies without the need for expert level knowledge of each of them. Many businesses lean on the cloud to allow them to focus on their core business instead of challenging IT obstacles.