April 13, 2023
Why Your Business Should Implement Cloud Technology in Your IT Strategy
Cloud technology is an essential part of modern business operations. The number of SMBs using at least some cloud computing is expected to reach 90% this year, with the average business spending $20,000 per year on cloud services.
- 80% of SMBs use cloud-based productivity apps like Microsoft Office 365 and Google Workspace.
- 60% of SMBs use cloud-based file storage and sharing services like Dropbox and Google Drive.
- 40% of SMBs use cloud-based customer relationship management (CRM) software like Salesforce and Zoho CRM.
- 30% of SMBs use cloud-based accounting and finance software like QuickBooks Online and Xero.
- 20% of SMBs use cloud-based human resources (HR) software like Gusto and Paychex.
Some key resources operating in the SMB cloud market include Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform, IBM Cloud, Oracle Cloud, Salesforce, ServiceNow, and VMware.
Should you move your IT infrastructure and implement cloud technology? You’d enjoy a number of benefits, including:
Reduced costs
Cloud computing reduces IT costs by eliminating the need for expensive hardware and software.
Increased agility
Cloud computing increases agility by quickly scaling IT resources up or down as needed.
Improved security
Cloud computing improves security by providing access to the latest security tools and technologies.
Enhanced collaboration
Cloud computing enhances collaboration by making it easy for employees to access and share files and applications from anywhere.
For small to mid-sized businesses, the top three cloud services used are Software as a Service (SaaS) (60% are using it), Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) (40% using it), and Platform as a Service (PaaS) (20% using it).
If you're thinking about increasing cloud technology in your operations, there are a few basics to consider:
The type of cloud
There are three main types of cloud computing: public cloud, private cloud, hybrid cloud. Public cloud services are offered by third-party providers such as Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure. Private cloud services are hosted on your own infrastructure. Hybrid cloud services blend the benefits of public and private clouds.
The applications you want to move
What belongs in the cloud depends on your business needs. If you have a lot of sensitive data, you may want to move your mission-critical data to a private cloud. If you don't have a lot of sensitive data, you may be able to move your apps to a public cloud with fewer concerns.
The security of your data
When moving your data to the cloud, it's important to make sure your cloud provider has strong security features and a strong track record of protecting data.
Ready to take the next step? To benefit from more cloud technology, here are three crucial steps:
- Choose a cloud provider wisely. Since there are a number of cloud providers available, it's important to do careful research to choose one that best meets your needs.
- Migrate your applications. Once you've chosen a provider, you can start migrating applications to the cloud. This process can be complex, so it's important to work with a qualified cloud migration partner.
- Manage your infrastructure. Once your applications are in the cloud, you'll need to monitor your applications, manage your storage, and configure your security.
Partner with FiberWave’s cloud experts so your business can reap the benefits of cloud computing confidently:
Cloud technology can be a powerful tool for businesses of all sizes. If you carefully plan your implementation and choose the right cloud provider, you’ll reap the benefits of cloud computing and improve operations. At FiberWave, our experts partner with you to ensure you choose and implement the best cloud solutions and options.