The Cloud can be a confusing concept, especially because it’s a term that’s thrown around without much explanation. While we’ve discussed the very basics of the cloud and how it functions, it is beneficial to do more research before jumping into cloud services for your small business. It’s a big decision, for your business, your customers, and your pocketbook. You should know exactly what you’re getting into when you switch your systems to the cloud.
It is first important to note that the cloud isn’t going anywhere. Most (if not all) studies will tell you that the more and more businesses will be adopting the cloud to store their data and host their applications in upcoming years. Eventually, it may even become a necessity to keep up with the technological advances of our society. Forbes reported that by the end of this year, 80% of enterprises around the world will be using some form of cloud services. They also estimate that 27.8% of business applications will be hosted in the cloud.
So, what does it mean to “host” something in the cloud? That’s simple: instead of an application, document, or other file being saved onto one specific computer, it is stored on a distant server away from your office or home. These servers, just like the one you probably have in your office, allow multiple computers on a network to access the same data. Unlike the one in your office, however, there are far more servers in a cloud data center, and they are far more protected.
These massive warehouses are watched 24/7 by a security team to ensure your data is kept safe. Not only that, but they are more physically secure than a server in your office as well. These servers are temperature controlled and are capable of functioning even during natural disasters due to giant battery backups.
In the unlikely event that one data center is completely shut down, most data centers have multiple locations across the country in which your business’ data is replicated. Basically: by hosting your systems in the cloud, you are guaranteed a 99.99% uptime.
Still have questions about the cloud? Give us a call, and our cloud service experts will be able to tell you how the cloud can benefit your business.
