What is it?
Cloud computing can mean different things to different people and the way it is deployed can vary significantly depending on the needs of your business. In broad terms for the purposes of this blog post, we can think of the cloud as the Internet; and cloud computing is a way of running your IT and telecoms services on powerful, flexible and secure servers which are located in (our) highly-secure, UK data centres.
Cloud computing provides resources on demand, such as additional processing power, data storage and support for additional (or fewer) users, all of which is billed monthly without the need for fixed or long-term contracts.
So what can I put in the cloud?
Potentially, all of your business IT applications and telecoms. A good cloud solutions provider (such as Cloud Heroes) will be able to assess your business IT systems and recommend where cloud computing is appropriate and identify and quantify the benefits to your business. Let’s simplify cloud computing to the following areas:
Data – Whether you want to securely share a few important files and folders, or throw away the server and put all of your data in the cloud, there is a solution to fit your specific need.
Email – Transferring email to the cloud allows your business to receive all of the collaborative benefits of Microsoft Exchange, without the need for expensive servers, software or support contracts. With functionality on almost any type of device, there is a business-grade solution at an affordable monthly cost.
Telephony – Cloud phone systems can deliver the benefits of an on-premise PBX (Private Branch Exchange – i.e. a local telephone system) without the need for capital investment in hardware and long term contracts. All the features are there – Hunt Groups, Call Waiting, Auto Attendant & Call Recording. Our ‘one number anywhere’ integration with your mobile phone further unlocks the full potential of the cloud, allowing you to work where you want, whenever you want.
What’s in it for me?
The benefits of cloud computing are extensive. We would encourage you to look at the questions below and if anything sounds relevant to you, call us for a no-obligation, jargon-free discussion about the cloud and how it could benefit you directly:
- How much money, time & anxiety do you spend replacing hardware, software and negotiating IT support contracts?
- How much easier would it be to manage IT as a known, fixed monthly operational cost rather than as a capital investment with ad-hoc, unknown costs each time you wish to add users or upgrade your hardware or software?
- How much more productive would your remote & mobile workers be if they could access your IT and phone systems from anywhere at any time?
- What would happen if your office burned down or was flooded tomorrow? Do you have adequate data backup systems and a business continuity plan in place?
- How would your business cope if your staff couldn’t get to work due to adverse weather or travel disruption?
- How secure is your office? What would happen if your PC and server equipment was stolen?
If you have experienced any of the above issues, you will already know the impact such things can have on your business. If you have been fortunate enough to avoid the disruption and costs associated with major disasters or an IT strategy that doesn’t truly fit your business need, then now may be a good time to consider the impact that such things will have on your business when they do occur… Statistics show that a significant proportion of businesses which suffer a major disaster without a pre-existing, disaster recovery strategy never recover.
Don’t wait until it is too late, call us now on 01225 776 555 and speak to one of our consultants today for a free, no-obligation assessment of how you can get best value for your business through an effective investment in cloud technology. Alternatively, email us or drop into our South West offices, within short distance of Bath and Bristol.