3 Ways Modern Businesses Leverage the Cloud

Whether you are just a fledgling small business just trying to get your feet off the ground or a larger-scale enterprise with a multitude of clients, one thing will always remain the same: in today’s business world, the cloud is king, and it has the potential to change the way that your business operates for the better. 

Let’s dive into three ways that businesses commonly implement the cloud, as well as the benefits for each of them.

Data Storage

If you have multiple devices, chances are you have felt the frustration of not having access to a particular file because it is located on your desktop rather than your laptop. Even if files are stored on an in-house network, this same issue can persist if that network is not connected to the Internet. How do you solve this dilemma? It’s simple; utilize a cloud-based data storage system for file sharing!

With cloud-based data storage, this frustration can become a thing of the past. Data can be accessed on any connected device, making operations much easier and far more flexible as a whole. Imagine the possibilities; you can work on any file, anytime, from anywhere. Once things open back up and you are comfortable traveling again, you won’t have to worry about not having access to important data, and productivity can skyrocket. Plus, think about all the space that server units can take up on-premises. Imagine what it would be like to not have to worry about those? Which leads us into our next opportunity for cloud-based expansion...

Backup and Disaster Recovery

Data backups in particular are important for any successful business continuity strategy. You might be able to deal with not having momentary access to your data, since it’s safe and sound on a different device, but imagine the struggle that would come about if that data simply did not exist anymore? The traditional way of restoring data used to involve tape-based backups that would be stored on-site, take up a considerable amount of space, and had to be set manually at the end of every day. This made them prone to user error and devastating natural disasters, like floods and fires.

If you have an automated data backup system that can be deployed through the cloud, you can get back in business relatively quickly following any sort of disaster, and since the backups are stored with more redundancy than with tape, you’ll never have to worry about them not being accessible or corrupt; chances are there will always be at least one copy of your data that can be called upon in your time of need.

Cloud Hosting

In much the same way that the cloud allows for easier access to data, the same can be said for just about anything stored in the cloud. You don’t need to limit the possibilities to just files and other types of data. Why not try hosting applications in the cloud? Doing so gives you access to them on any approved device that can handle them. Having access to applications like your email, productivity suite, Voice over IP phone software, and other productivity or communication software while out of the office can be game-changing.

On a more broad scale, you can also use the cloud for hosting hardware solutions. Let’s say that you have a legacy software that only runs on a particular instance of a server operating system. However, your servers all need to be on supported versions of Server 2019. Using partitioning through the cloud, you can have the best of both worlds by hosting multiple instances of that operating system in a virtual environment.

Get Started with the Cloud Today!

Does your business need a hand with implementing cloud-based technology? We are sure that you have built a solid foundation over the past year, what with the pandemic and all, but why not seize the opportunity to improve on that infrastructure and transform it into something that is truly great? To learn how you can make your cloud-based infrastructure more efficient and reliable, reach out to Directive today at 607.433.2200.