Over the past decade we’ve seen the rapid growth of cloud computing, but many decision makers and business owners were skeptical of the actual utility in cloud-based utility computing.
With the rise of remote and hybrid work environments, these professional businessmen and businesswomen are seeing just how beneficial it can be for their business. For the very first time, cloud computing makes sense to them.
Let’s take a look at why everyone is seemingly using cloud-based resources.
Cloud Computing in the Context of Today’s Businesses
Even if a lot of business owners don’t always trust technology for their most important computing needs, they have likely been utilizing some type of platform for a while. The cloud is computing that is hosted on rented hardware and is broadcast over a broadband Internet connection. These computing options are normally managed and maintained by the service provider and are billed at a static monthly rate, whether that be per user or per gigabyte. Many businesses use Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), which is the most popular (and expansive) cloud computing delivery method, but more businesses are now subscribing to other cloud-based tools such as Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS), which delivers hardware solutions billed per gigabyte.
For the modern business, cloud computing fits seamlessly. It provides the opportunity to get the computing resources you need, without taking on the huge financial investment that new hardware traditionally demanded. It also allows for dynamic scalability, a major benefit as to not waste money on computing resources your company doesn’t need, while giving your business the ability to quickly get the necessary resources when you need them.
Cloud Options
As stated above, there are options for most parts of your business, including:
Hardware
Virtualized hardware is useful for a multitude of purposes. It can present options to host specific applications or a dedicated platform for application development. The main advantage of purchasing hardware in the cloud is that you can virtualize local computing resources and not waste money like many businesses that rely on onsite computing resources do.
Software
Let’s take a look at some of the most popular options available:
- Line of Business – Companies are hosting their line of business applications in the cloud so that they can be assured that people have access to this essential software from any place at any time.
- Productivity – Productivity software has long been a driving force in cloud deployment. With titles like Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace available, businesses can get complete suites of tools they need to help them be productive and improve collaboration.
- Communication – Solutions like hosted email and VoIP have changed the way that businesses view their communications.
- Security – Security is extremely important and today’s cloud platform is more secure than resources of the past. Not only are there full-fledged security suites available, the cloud can deliver more security options, providing businesses with all the tools they need to keep their networks and cloud platforms secure.
The Internet of Things, a major innovation in the way people interact with products, is fueled in large part by cloud computing. There are dozens of secure and reliable cloud platforms available to run IoT, AI, and much more.
Ready to Leverage the Power of Cloud Computing?
Cloud computing has moved well beyond trend status. It is the foundation of how modern businesses operate, scale, and stay competitive. Whether you’re looking to expand your infrastructure, improve team collaboration, or bring more predictability to your IT costs, the right cloud strategy makes a measurable difference.
The IT professionals at WheelHouse IT can help you evaluate your current environment and build a cloud strategy tailored to your specific business goals. Contact our team in Florida or New York today.
Florida: (954) 474-2204 | New York: (516) 536-5006
