Cloud computing and twenty first century businesses

So many technological terms can be used in describing digital transformation in this twenty first century and one that stands out is cloud computing. Cloud computing has also been influential positively when it comes to businesses; today it is difficult to separate the cloud from the success of businesses and even everyday living.

It’s nothing but the truth when we say that digital transformation has proven to be a great tool in aiding business face competiton in the modern world. Businesses are integrating the cloud technology in data management as papers, pens and written receipts gradually fades into thin air.

Defining cloud computing might prove a little bit complex because the technology engrosses different systems and services.

When we mention “cloud” we simply mean the internet and the word computing has to do with set up infrastructures that provide a platform for interaction with information. I think we can summarize the definition of cloud technology as using offsite systems to help computers store, manage and communicate information. “It is the delivery of computing services which include servers, storage, databases, networking , software analytics, and intelligence over the internet to offer faster innovation, flexible resources, and economies of scale”.

It becomes noticeable that businesses and business owners can now get whatever they want and whenever they want it through the use of their internet connected devices; this is courtesy of cloud computing, it gives users access to data wherever they have an internet connection.

Have you ever asked where your Gmail messages are stored that you can access it at any time you open your account. Those Contents are not stored in your phone they are stored in cloud. Cloud services are known to store to store their data in three ways which are the public cloud, the private cloud and the hybrid cloud.

Public cloud:  The public cloud service is built on an external platform that is  run by the provider. With this off-site service, users get their own cloud within a shared infrastructure. The cloud provider offers everything from system resources to the security and maintenance of your cloud system. Since it is managed by an outside company specializing in cloud services for a range of customers, a public cloud system is great for organizations that want more elasticity, cost-effectiveness and the latest technology.

 

Private cloud: A private cloud service is a cloud platform built within your own walls using your hardware and software. Since a private cloud is managed by your own internal IT team, it is ideal for businesses that want exclusive access, more flexibility and greater control over their cloud. However, this is a more expensive option.

Hybrid cloud: A hybrid cloud employs both private and public clouds. In a hybrid system, an organization’s own IT team manages part of the cloud in house and the rest off-site. For instance, a hybrid cloud system is perfect for an organization that wants to manage business-related data (such as customer files) in house but wants to store less-sensitive information with a third party.

The twenty first century businesses have so much relied on cloud computing and its data safety to improve and stand toe to toe with competitors. Here are some of the benefits of the cloud computing technology to businesses in this modern day.

1. It saves Cost:

The cost of building your own server, bespoke technology and expertise required requires a whole lot of cash, and even if you succeed in developing a server, you won’t omit the fact that it is likely to go through down times. But the Cloud computing tend to give  businesses an edge by storing business data without the risks of downtime. Although the prices for business cloud servers might cost a bit but compared to the price of developing your own server, we can say for sure that it is definitely cost effective.

2. Cloud computing makes data available to businesses:

Instead of storing a whole lot of information in your computer storage device, the cloud computing stores these data on the internet and this ascertains its availability at every point in time from the central web-based hub. This ensures that anyone having the required jurisdiction, proper credentials and certainly a good internet is entitled to access from anywhere. That’s why you can stay at home and log in to your account in your company website, effect the changes you want and log out.

3. Consistency maintenance:

 There is always a possibility of error when several workers on same file but since the location of files hosted in the cloud is central, data is automatically synchronized between the several devices implication being that all the people involved are using the updated version; this results to nothing but topnotch consistency.

4. Data Recovery becomes fast and easier:

Loss of data is one of the biggest scares of companies as its effect can lead to loss of integrity and ultimately folding. One of the most significant advantages of cloud computing is storage space. Any company data that is relevant may be kept on the cloud, allowing connectivity and usefulness. Your data, on the other hand, can be accessed from every platform and from any location on the globe, making it perfect for remote employees and businesses.

Furthermore, the cloud includes a built-in data backup and restores system that ensures your company's data is fully protected. Your information is safeguarded against computer hackers, natural calamities, and even outright unauthorized access.

Your information is never kept in a single location, which is how it works. Instead, it's broken down into pieces, encoded, and dispersed across many locations, such as faraway cloud services. Even if a computer hacker stole your information from a single site, it would be fragmented and useless. You also have backup data saved in the cloud, this implies data can be retrieved quickly and your firm may restart activities as if the tragedy never occurred.

6 . Improvement in Innovation

The use of cloud services can help to create a workplace conducive to innovation. Once the operational and technical elements are in the right position, companies can redirect and redirect their attention to the advancement of transformation initiatives. While server management has no impact on organizational performance, data management improves quality and efficiency across business operations. The cloud enables consistent innovation efforts, offering a strategic advantage and aid in remaining competitive in today’s market.

The cloud offers new methods to construct quick and adaptable solutions as organizations continue to grow and analyze data stockpiles. The way we approach, purchase, engage, and cooperate will keep evolving as new ideas arise.

7. Customer services are improved:

Employees may now receive data that will assist them in serving consumers at any time and from any location. They may interact with possible consumers through the cloud using a variety of devices, including mobile, laptop, and desktop computers. Customers require high-bandwidth information, such as how-to videos. Larger companies aren't the only ones with this ability. Small businesses can also benefit from cloud technologies to deliver wide throughput.

A self-service website is increasingly commonplace in many businesses. Customer issues may be resolved quickly and effectively as a result. Thanks to the use of cloud, the service desk is streamlined with increased automation. This enhances overall customer satisfaction by reducing ticket times and quickening issue responsiveness.

Owing to the numerous benefits attached to cloud computing, one can easily summarize that cloud computing is all on the good side not having any side effect to the business world; you might be wrong. But since I have already began this duty of enlightenment, I guess it’s pure justice I inform you of the other side of cloud computing; its likely adverse effect to twenty first century businesses.

1. Lack of flexibility in some applications:

The inflexibility of some cloud apps can be another serious disadvantage of cloud computing. Be careful when you're choosing a cloud computing vendor that you're not going to become a "forever" customer because their applications and/or data formats do not allow easy transfer/conversion of information into other systems.

Just ask someone who has gone through the painful process of migrating from one accounting package to another. As an even simpler example, you can't insert a document created in another application into a Google Docs spreadsheet. 

Some vendors deliberately attempt to "lock-in" customers by using proprietary software/hardware, so that it is impossible or very expensive to switch to another cloud vendor.

If you are considering a move to the cloud, make sure that your cloud vendor contract stipulates that you retain ownership of your data and that the vendor offerings conform to current standards.

Also, make sure that you can easily (and inexpensively) add and subtract cloud computing users and data storage as necessary as your business grows or contract.

2. Partial loss of secrecy:

One of the things businesses tend to forget is that once they employ the usage of cloud computing, they are fully entrusting all secrecy and confidentiality of their company’s data to the companies that provide the cloud computing platform and the unfortunate part being that those companies that offer the services don’t have to answer for any error experienced by client businesses.

3. Internet connection dependency:

The only route to cloud computing is just internet connection, when internet connection is hampered of the route to  your cloud provider encounters some troubles, the implication is that automatically access to your cloud data is disconnected.  This is where the biggest obstacle is happening in developing countries and remote areas that do not have good internet access. And the weakness of public cloud is where everyone accesses the same server and server and will increase the risk of attack, and down the server.

There are still a whole lot of disadvantages attached to cloud computing but we don’t want to make it seem that the technology is on the bad side so we take just the above.

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