Cloud computing has been a buzzword now for almost a decade. Every day new businesses move their data and operations to cloud-based systems. Why? Because cloud computing benefits include streamlining IT processes, which simplifies the daily computing of a company. You’ll have more time to deal with your businesses’ strategic objectives and make the company grow. Sounds good? But before you make the final decision to move to the cloud, you need to make sure you’re ready for it. Check out our list of cloud computing advantages and disadvantages to make an informed verdict.
Cloud Computing Advantages
1. Global Servers
If you’re running an online gambling site, gaming platform, or mobile app, such as Book of Ra online, cloud storage enables you to manage the servers globally. Why is that good? Because it makes the multiplayer gaming experience seamless. No more freezing screens or other nuisances that make players drop the game.
2. Superb Accessibility
Regardless of where you are in the world, all you need to access the cloud is an internet connection. And that level of accessibility increases the overall productivity of your business. Whether your employees are on business trips or working from home, they can continue to complete the tasks via the cloud.
3. Restore Data Easily
Accidents, malfunctions, or cyberattacks can affect any business these days. But if you’ve stored your data in the cloud, it’s easy to restore any damage. Cloud computing features like automatic systems and extra security, ensure that your backup data is always available and safely stored.
4. More Efficient Collaboration
Cloud enables every team member to access and share vital information with only a few clicks. That immediately raises the efficiency of collaboration. When something happens to one of the team’s key players, they can still get a clear overview of the work processes and contribute. They can read the meeting memos and create propositions even when they’re stuck in traffic with only their mobile phone.
5. Maintenance Is Cheaper and Easier
Both software and hardware costs get significantly reduced when using cloud computing opportunities over locally maintained servers. Plus, the storage capacity of cloud systems is pretty much unlimited. So you can keep all your video, audio, picture, and text files conveniently in one place.
Cloud Computing Disadvantages
1. You Need to Be Online
If you choose to store your data on a cloud, you can access it only with the internet. So when you need to retrieve any of your videos or documents, you can’t do it without an internet connection. That might not be a problem most days, as a solid wifi connection is present in nearly all places. But it can be frustrating on those rare occasions when you are in a location with a bad connection.
2. You’re Locked in With One Vendor
Different vendors operate on separate platforms and have unique services. So when it’s time to move to another vendor’s systems, it can cause plenty of problems. For example, the methods that platforms use for grouping won’t always work as they should. It can take a lot of time to attempt to copy the functions of one cloud into another.
3. Giving Up Control
Cloud computing, by definition, is being able to use the resources of a computer system without having to manage the network. The cloud platform owns and monitors all the system’s infrastructure. That means you’ll have less control over how your data gets handled and the different services executed. It’s not good news for businesses with an in-house IT staff who can’t fix problems independently anymore. Plus, using the cloud service provider’s support staff can get costly.
4. Risk of Exposing Your Data
Keeping your data on the cloud means that unauthorized people can potentially gain access to your information. Hackers can steal your clients’ credit card details or wipe out your files. And since the security of a cloud platform is in the hands of its provider, you can only hope they’re doing everything necessary to keep your data safe.
Conclusion
Examples of using cloud computing can be found from banking to Facebook and government establishments. And you can also use the computing powers of the cloud to aid your business. It raises your team’s efficiency, provides better accessibility to vital files, and is cheap to maintain. At the same time, using cloud solutions means that you’ll be dependent on the internet connection and need to give up control over the system. Which side do you choose? It’s up to you to make the decision.
Are you already using cloud computing for big data in your organization? Let us know what made you go with it.
