Cloud computing has undeniably changed the way businesses, organizations, and even individuals handle information. No longer needing to add memory and devise applications as your company expands. Gone are the days of backing up data in the traditional manner to ensure, hopefully, that nothing is lost. Cloud computing has made companies more efficient in many respects.
Off-site task and file storage resources in the cloud increase productivity while enhancing data security and protection from a breakdown or natural disaster. The innovation also introduced unlimited scalability.
And, very importantly, the ability to collaborate within and outside of an organization is substantially easier when all key players can access and view the same information simultaneously.
Current State of the Cloud
According to a 2018 Forbes article, large enterprises predict that they will spend an average of $3.5 million on cloud services this year. Further, 77% of those enterprises currently use the cloud for at least one application of their computing infrastructure. And, 30% of all enterprise IT services budgets are dedicated to cloud-based services.
A significant advantage of adopting cloud computing has been the ability to eliminate much of the expense of in-house data management. For even in a small company, this required one or two specialists whose sole focus was on data management, company hardware maintenance, and instruction.
Most companies are expecting to become 100% cloud-based eventually.
Real Cost of Cloud Computing
Cloud computing is certainly not free of charge. Providers like Apple, IBM Cloud, Google, Microsoft, Kamatera, phoenixNAP, Adobe, Red Hat, Oracle Cloud, Dropbox, and others also have a profitability obligation to their shareholders and owners.
As companies pile on more data and increase use, total cloud-based IT costs are rising.
Some business owners are beginning to question the comparative expense and security of a single cloud-based IT services. While the initial capital expenditure for signing up for a cloud service is relatively low, the operational outlay is increasing as more applications and services are added.
To mitigate the cost of relying on a single cloud resource, some companies are using hybrid systems using both onsite and offsite capabilities. They have also chosen to share the load with additional cloud suppliers.
Security Issues
As we well know, nothing is 100% secure today. Many reputable, security-minded companies have been hacked in recent years. We can be sure that cloud services provide the highest levels of protection.
A professional computer support company can advise you of the layers of security available with any cloud-based system.
A secure strategy is to split the cloud services between two or more providers. This approach could minimize the impact and risk of data loss for any reason.
Check with CEG IT Services
CEG, located in Napa and serving the North Bay Area for over 30 years, provides extensive IT services for businesses and individuals.
If you have questions about cloud computing and your IT services, contact the professionals at CEG. Our experienced team is prepared to help you with any of your computer support or IT services issues. We perform the duties of an IT department while managing the security of your data while ensuring all information needs are met.
For more about our IT services capabilities, contact CEG at 833-234-9701.