Cloud computing can mean a lot of different things. For example, storage, intelligence, infrastructure, computing power, server hosting, networking, software or applications. At Northstar, we offer a variety of services and can help you design the infrastructure that fits your business.
The Benefits of Cloud Computing
From cost savings to improved performance and a reduced carbon footprint, there are many advantages of cloud computing.
Data Decentralization
Cloud services enable easy collaboration between business teams, having all documents and files available on-demand in the cloud environment enables remote working, flexible working environments and gives a team the ability to access their work documents on the go. This decentralisation allows employees can work from home, from client sites, or even while traveling, with full access to necessary resources just as they would at a central office. By 2025, an estimated 200 zettabytes of data will be stored in the cloud, showcasing the extensive capacity of cloud storage solutions to handle increasingly large amounts of data.
Advanced Security
It might appear counterintuitive, but transferring your files to an offsite location can actually enhance their security. Cloud providers implement state-of-the-art security protocols that are often more sophisticated than those a standard company could deploy on its own. These protocols include advanced encryption methods that can protect data both in transit and at rest, ensuring files are inaccessible to unauthorized users. Overall cloud services make it extremely challenging for cyber attackers to intercept or corrupt the data.
Productivity & Adaptability
Cloud Computing can grant an IT team more time to focus on other work, with 59% of SMBs using cloud services have reported significant productivity benefits. Traditionally, IT departments spend a considerable amount of time managing physical servers, resolving hardware issues, and performing routine software updates. These tasks are critical and can be very time-consuming. By transitioning to cloud computing and outsourcing hosting duties to specialized agencies, IT can from focus on more strategic initiatives that could drive business growth and innovation
Environmental Efficiency
Energy-efficient data centres are common, reducing operational costs and allowing businesses using cloud services to reduce their carbon footprints. They employ techniques such as free air cooling, which uses outside air intakes to reducing the reliance on air conditioning systems. Other technologies include using recycled water for cooling and implementing heat exchangers that significantly lower energy consumption. By outsourcing their data management to green data centers, companies can align their practices with corporate sustainability goals and environmentally conscious consumers.
Scalability
As teams grow or project demands increase, cloud services can easily scale to accommodate more users, increased storage needs, or additional collaboration features without significant infrastructure changes. This scalability ensures that businesses can adapt to workload fluctuations without disruption to ongoing collaboration and productivity.
Disaster Recovery
Cloud computing enhances disaster recovery strategies through a robust process called data mirroring, where data is copied or “mirrored” across multiple servers in different geographic locations. This method provides a crucial safety net for businesses, ensuring continuous access to data even in the event of a server failure or other disasters.
Does Cloud Computing Lower Costs?
The answer to “does it cost less in the Cloud?” is more complex than it seems. Initially, definitely yes. The upfront costs of Cloud implementation are much less than in-house because you don’t need to buy hardware.
Of course over the long term, the monthly cost of Cloud services can build, but that is not the whole story. It’s important to note cloud services can reduce the amount of maintenance required. In a busy IT service team, that extra time can considerably benefit the business financially. Also, you may be able to get away with lower specifications because it is easy to scale up later.
You should assess each workload individually and then compare it to the in-house costs. Don’t forget things like power and cooling, as well as management time and speed of implementation. These can all add a lot to the bill for in-house computing.
Is Cloud Technology Right for Your Business?
Deciding whether to integrate Cloud Computing into your business operations involves weighing several factors, but the potential benefits are substantial. Start by evaluating your specific business needs. Do your operations require high data availability and rapid scalability? Or enhanced security, and to free up IT teams for a competitive edge? Each of these factors requires a different architecture to support the business.
The decision to adopt should be aligned with your business strategy, operational needs, and financial considerations. Whatever business goal you are trying to achieve, there is a Cloud solution that matches.
How can Northstar Help?
Cloud Storage
Northstar can offer to host your data in Azure and Amazon Web Services (AWS). We can also host physical servers owned by you or rented from Northstar in our own datacentre space.
Cloud Backup and Management
Additionally, we complete the package with services like maintenance, backup and security management to help you make the service tightly fit your business requirements.
Cloud Applications
We can also help with Cloud Services such as Dropbox, SharePoint and other applications. If you have databases or want disaster recovery services, we can design infrastructure that allows access to different geographical locations.
Cloud should form part of any assessment and has unique benefits that you cannot easily replicate in-house. In all, there is a lot to explore. Why not get the conversation going and call our experts today to find out what is possible.
