Can Cloud Computing help your business?
When industry commentators discuss developments in business IT, Cloud computing is the phrase synonymous with the future. The technology is a new way of organising the management and development of an IT infrastructure and can revolutionise the way a business works.
Put simply, Cloud Computing is the delivery of computing as a service rather than a product, where ‘the Cloud’ is a metaphor for the internet and a variety of applications, documents and services (email, backup, servers) are stored and accessed ‘in the cloud’.
(Click to Expand)
Usually a business would have to pay upfront for hardware, networking and software and then pay again in a couple of years when they need upgrading! When a business adopts cloud computing, you pay monthly, per user for your servers, operating system, software and support services.
Cloud computing really becomes essential to a growing business when you realise you can increase capacity and capabilities on the fly without investing in new infrastructure, training, new personnel, or licencing new software. You ‘pay as you grow’ meaning that as your requirements increase your IT provider increases the capacity you require - whether this is more server space, new users on software, new mailboxes, more backup space, or a host of other business critical IT facilities.
Another great advantage of Cloud computing is the flexibility it provides a business, apart from the ability to grow your capacity as required, it can also allow you to access your documents, software and email remotely or on the move through a mobile device or laptop. If for example, your staff were snowed in at home, with your IT in the cloud your staff can access their own email with a hosted email solution or with a hosted desktop solution they could access their desktop with all their critical programs and documents available.
Having your IT in the cloud allows you to use the latest solutions that are upgraded as a new version is released, for example the latest Microsoft Exchange email software – as used by enterprise class businesses- gives your business access to shared calendars, email, tasks and contacts from anywhere in the world.
These are our top 5 reasons for your business to join the cloud:
-
IT becomes a utility to pay like your electricity bill - by paying a monthly fee you can vastly reduce initial overheads.
-
You can increase capacity without having to upgrade your entire infrastructure.
-
Your IT Company (cloud provider) can deliver the majority of your IT support, allowing on site personnel to focus on business development.
-
Flexibility - you are no longer tied down by your hardware capacity or having to physically be in your office.
-
Your software is always up to date, as the latest upgrades are automatically installed as they are released.
Download our FREE white paper on Cloud Computing HERE
At AMA we offer the following Cloud Solutions:
-
Off Site Back Up - No need to worry about back-up hardware or someone forgetting to secure your vital data, a hosted back-up solution can do this securely and automatically.
-
Hosted Email's using Exchange - Access your business emails, calendars, tasks and contacts from anywhere on desktop, laptop or mobile device.
-
Hosted Desktop - The complete cloud solution. You can access a full version of your work desktop from anywhere, allowing you to work on your own software and documents.
Get in touch today to receive a free consultation on how Cloud Computing could help your business by either calling the team on 0117 953 4955 or by enquiring online HERE.
