As more employees work remotely and internet speeds improve, businesses are adapting to a workforce that is increasingly out of the office by switching away from using physical storage and services and turning toward cloud computing, the storage of files and use of computer services over the internet.
In 2018, 77% of businesses were using the cloud in one way or another, and that percentage is expected to rise over the next few years. But switching to the cloud isn't just good for employees — it can also have major benefits for businesses.
If you haven't made the change yet, here are five reasons your business should switch to the cloud.
A huge number of programs are designed to run in the cloud, meaning you'll have plenty of options when it comes to communication, project management and file storage solutions.
Cloud-based software will also work even on underpowered devices and regardless of OS — no matter what device an employee is using, if it can connect to the internet, it can access the cloud. The applications your employees can use won't be limited by the power of their machines.
When your team's collaboration software, project management system and essential files are all in the cloud, team members can work and collaborate from just about anywhere where there's an internet connection.
If your team is mostly in-office, you can use the cloud to save time and make collaboration easier. When important files are stored online where your team can access them, employees won't waste time emailing files back and forth. They can also stop what they're doing at the office and pick up where they left off from anywhere else.
Upgrading physical storage requires some planning ahead: You need to know how much extra space you need and how it will hook up to your existing network. You'll also have to research to determine which kinds of servers or physical drives to purchase.
With the cloud, scaling your storage is much easier. Whenever you need extra space, you can simply contact your cloud storage provider, and within minutes you'll have the storage your business needs available for use.
Because your information is stored in the cloud, you also won't need extra room for backups. Unlike physical storage, the cloud doesn't degrade over time, and it's less vulnerable to being damaged by accidents or misuse. With the cloud, there will be no more worrying about the health of your backups.
Information stored on physical devices can be less secure than information stored in the cloud — especially if that physical device is mobile, a laptop or a personal device.
When confidential information is stored in the cloud, employees can access it from personal devices without needing to risk having physical copies of it on their devices. In the case of a stolen or misplaced laptop, for example, the files that employee works with will be secure in the cloud — even a hacker or criminal with complete access to their machine will need their login to steal important files or information.
If you do make a switch to the cloud, it's best to move over slowly to minimize the chance for lost data or productivity. Your team may need some time to adjust to cloud computing, but the benefits will likely outweigh the growing pains, especially when it comes to storage, security and communication.
And as more employees choose to go remote, you'll want your business to have software that can keep the entire team in touch — no matter where they work.