to move your IT Services to the

C L O U D

7 Reasons

Core Benefits of Cloud-based IT Services

IntroCloud computing is undeniably one of the most talked about topics in business technology circles today. Nearly all small and medium sized businesses (SMBs) have heard that the cloud is transforming the way their peers do business, and most have been inundated with talk of how the cloud enables smaller organizations to cut IT costs and improve operational efficiency.

Still unsure if a cloud computing initiative is a smart move for your business? This quick list of core cloud competencies showcases some of the out-of-the-box benefits you can enjoy when making the leap to the cloud.

Here are the 7 Reasons to Move to the Cloud…

• Its scalability and pay-as-you-go model minimize –onsite physical storage–hardware– internal IT staffing

requirements

1. Minimizing Costs

Core Benefits of Cloud-based IT Services

2. Anytime, Anywhere Access

• Users can access, share and collaborate in the cloud – whenever and wherever they please

• Allows for better collaboration among teams

Core Benefits of Cloud-based IT Services

• Cloud-based services offer SMBs greater flexibility to scale IT needs up or down to better meet business demands

3. Greater ScalabilityCore Benefits of Cloud-based IT Services

• Cloud-based services can be deployed within just an hour or a few days

4. Fast Deployment

• It often takes weeks or months to plan, buy, build and implement an internal IT infrastructure

Core Benefits of Cloud-based IT Services

5. Environmental Friendliness

• A six-month study conducted by The Berkeley Lab found that shifting 86 million U.S. office workers to the cloud reduced energy usage by 87%

Core Benefits of Cloud-based IT Services

6. Improved Security• Very few data breaches

involving cloud providers• According to Privacy Rights

Clearinghouse, out of the 404 reported data breaches in the U.S. in 2013, about 270 of them were due to:– lost, stolen, or discarded

devices & paper records– rogue employees– payment fraud– unintentional employee error

Core Benefits of Cloud-based IT Services

7. Business Continuity• Unlimited storage

capability, automated data sync and backup processes that can reduce or eliminate downtime

Core Benefits of Cloud-based IT Services

Understanding the cloud, and the benefits and risks that come with it, is essential for SMBs. Why? Because it’s obvious that the cloud is here to stay; its economic and resource utilization benefits are simply too great to be ignored. For start-ups and small businesses operating under strict budgets, wherein bearing the financial burden of owning, maintaining, and securing an entire technology infrastructure may not be possible, the cloud can provide some much-needed relief.

This chapter is part of a larger eBook, Cutting Through the Fog.

To download the full eBook, click here.

Core Benefits of Cloud-based IT Services