Ways You’re Probably Already Using Cloud Computing at Work and Home

05 May Ways You’re Probably Already Using Cloud Computing at Work and Home

You’ve likely heard the term “cloud computing” but have you thought about the different ways it can benefit your organization? The concept of cloud computing is worth exploring. In this article we’ll do that by providing real world examples of cloud computing you’re probably using every day.

What is Cloud Computing?

Cloud computing is the delivery of computing resources, including software, data storage, and processing power, over the internet, providing on-demand access to scalable and flexible services.

Rather than relying on local hardware and infrastructure, cloud computing allows users to access computing resources from remote servers in secure data centers.

The cloud environment is categorized into three main types:

• Private cloud
• Public cloud
• Hybrid cloud

The various types of cloud computing services are utilized by individuals, businesses, and organizations. Data reliant industries, including banking, e-commerce, healthcare, and media streaming, rely heavily on cloud storage.

What Are the Benefits of Cloud-based Services?

Cloud services offer a wide range of benefits to businesses, such as cost reduction, improved collaboration, enhanced scalability, and increased efficiency. This is why “the cloud” has become an essential part of most modern computing infrastructures.

A primary benefit of cloud computing is its flexibility. Cloud-based services can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection, supporting a remote or hybrid workforce and making business data more accessible than ever before.

Because of this access and flexibility, cloud computing allows businesses to collaborate with their global business interests and customers around the world, without the necessity for expensive hardware or costly infrastructure.

Cloud based services also free up your native computing resources because programs no longer require memory hogging downloads to operate. The program is in the cloud so you always have access to the newest version, bug fixes, and patches at your fingertips.

Examples of Cloud Computing at the Office

Many of the software applications commonly used by small and midsize businesses (SMBs) are cloud-based. Popular accounting software like QuickBooks and Xero utilize the cloud. This gives you the ability to securely access your data remotely, so you can manage your finances from anywhere.

Cloud-based CRM software like Salesforce provide SMBs with a centralized platform to manage customer data, sales, and marketing activities. Email and productivity tools like Gmail, Microsoft Office 365, and G Suite are also cloud-based services you may be using to enhance collaboration and productivity.

Some companies use virtual machines that rely on cloud technology to mimic physical machines. These virtual desktops can run operating systems, connect to networks, manage data, and perform most typical computing tasks.

Cloud Computing Works from Home

You’ve probably heard of popular online games like Minecraft and Roblox. You may have even seen a marketplace charge or two on your credit card from your resident fan.

Both games rely on public cloud services to provide seamless online gameplay for millions of players around the world. Minecraft relies on Microsoft Azure while Roblox uses Amazon Web Services (AWS) for its cloud infrastructure.

Nearly 85% of American households use streaming services like Netflix and Spotify who, in turn, use cloud computing to deliver content to users. In fact, Netflix was the first major industry player to engage AWS. The company stores a mind-boggling 12 terabytes of data per user. Essentially, they store over 4 years of high-definition video per current customer account and they’re still using less than .03% of the available storage capacity in the AWS cloud.

Are There Risks Associated with Cloud Computing?

As integral as it has become in our everyday lives, it is important to note that cloud computing also comes with potential risks and challenges. Security concerns, such as data breaches and unauthorized access, should be considered when storing or transmitting sensitive information via the cloud.

When selecting a cloud vendor for your business, you should carefully consider the potential hidden costs when selecting cloud-based services. To optimize your budget, consider partnering with a cloud hosting provider that has transparent pricing policies.

When you subscribe to our hosted virtual desktop cloud-based service, we also become your outsourced IT department. We provide you with access to your servers, your software applications, your data storage and backup, your help desk, your IT management from anywhere at any time – all for a monthly fixed fee.

In conclusion

Although “the cloud” has become a popular term to describe cloud computing, it may not convey the technology’s full range of features. Cloud computing provides benefits across a wide range of industries and is an essential feature of modern life.

Cloud computing is a powerful and flexible tool that can help SMBs reduce costs, increase efficiency, and improve collaboration. When you leverage cloud-based services, you can access a wide range of computing resources on-demand which helps you stay competitive.

Whether you use the cloud for managing finances, customer relationships, or hosting applications, all SMBs can take advantage of cloud computing to achieve business goals.

We Have Experts on Staff to Answer Your Questions About Cloud Based Services

Interested in finding out how partnering with an award-winning cloud hosting provider can help you achieve your business goals while reducing your overall technology costs?

Our trained team of cloud computing experts can help by answering all your questions about industry guidelines and compliance standards for cloud computing and explain how we deliver reliable, affordable cloud hosting for even highly regulated industries, like healthcare and finance.

We’ll show you how you can use our efficient cloud based storage and processing solutions in your business to improve your security, productivity, and profitability.

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