Stratalux CEO Jeremy Przygode says cloud computing is the norm for businesses today and it’s transforming the way we do business. A report shows that over 95% of businesses now operate on a public, private, or hybrid cloud platform. Does your company have a cloud computing strategy in place? If not, here are a few reasons why you should consider developing one.

Save money

If you choose to migrate to the cloud, you can save a lot of money. Rackspace surveyed a total of 1,300 companies and found that 88% of cloud users experienced significant cost savings and 56% of them noted an increase in profits. With the cloud, you reduce hardware costs because hardware repair and replacement costs are left to the vendor.

It also saves on your power bills. Large data centers take up space and produce heat. You won’t have to worry about keeping that area cooled to optimal temperature if your hardware is offsite. You also save on labor and maintenance costs. That means your IT staff can focus on daily needs and development. If your company doesn’t have in-house IT, moving to the cloud will defray third-party hardware repair bills.

The cloud also allows you to take advantage of the pay-as-you-go model – you only pay for software as you utilize it, and it can be canceled at any time. The subscription model helps you avoid the costs that can come with defective software.

Innovate and experiment

Migrating to the cloud will also help you innovate, experiment, and create new products and services. A study conducted at the London School of Economics and Political Science found that “One of the key ways that cloud computing supports operational and technological innovation is by moving an organization more briskly through the experimental or prototyping stages.

With traditional IT models, a decision to prototype a new system generally involves the procurement and installation of expensive hardware, with the associated checks and delays that conventional purchasing requires. Cloud provisioning, on the other hand, can be implemented rapidly and at low cost.”

In other words, with the cloud, you can spend a lot more time on developing strategies and products to help your company grow and less time on maintaining infrastructure and hardware. In addition, because cloud software can be deployed within hours your staff can increase productivity because they won’t have to wait for installation.

More flexibility

Cloud computing also allows you to be more flexible both inside and outside of the workplace. For example, if you need access to data while you are away from the office, you can easily access that data anytime and anywhere through any web-enabled device. With the cloud, you can also offer more flexible working hours to your employees and collaborate with them on the go and in real-time. An effective cloud strategy allows your employees to have more freedom, which yields happier and more productive workers.

Increase security and protection of sensitive data

If you move to the cloud, you can also experience increased security, privacy, and control – all data sent to the cloud is encrypted and is hosted in a centralized and protected environment. Since your data is stored in the cloud, you can access it no matter what happens to your hardware.

For instance, Argus allows you to migrate your ERP data to the cloud, so you can make sure your information won’t be lost if anything happens -from a tech issue to a natural disaster. The secure cloud environment makes it easier for you to grant your employees varying levels of controlled access to the data you sync into your CRM system. Hence, developing a cloud strategy allows you to take greater control of your data.

Cloud computing or not?

Almost all apps and legacy software have already moved to the cloud. The scalability, flexibility, and increase in employee collaboration make a cloud strategy almost imperative for a growing business.  Cloud computing is also cost-effective, secure, and easy to maintain.

A cloud solution simplifies hosting and allows your company to scale up or down as your business needs change. In other words, moving your processes to the cloud is the best option for companies that want to stay competitive.

The question isn’t whether you should adopt a cloud strategy, but when? If you wish to start using the power of the cloud to your advantage, contact us today to see what we can do for you.