Why use the cloud?
‘The Cloud’ is still a hot topic, increasingly so for SMEs who now have access to it. But should it be a priority and why? Firstly, let’s simplify the idea of ‘the cloud’.
The cloud is a way to store and access data, applications, and computing power over the internet instead of on your own computer or servers. Think of it like renting a super-powerful computer from a big tech company (like Microsoft) instead of buying and maintaining your own. You can access it from anywhere, scale it up or down as needed, and only pay for what you use.
Using the Cloud to optimise your operations, allows you to share and access data from anywhere in the world, on any device, providing that you have internet connection. This opens opportunities for remote work and better collaboration within teams.
Did you know, there are over 500 data centres located in the UK? (United Kingdom | Data Center Market Overview | Cloudscene)
There are huge benefits to the correct utilisation of the cloud for SMEs:
- Collaboration – Teams can stay connected and continue collaborating, no matter where they are.
- Reduced Downtime – Avoid frustrating infrastructure issues, as cloud-based systems offer increased reliability, minimising disruptions to your business.
- Enhanced Security – Cloud based services are constantly pushing updates and encryption methods, to ensure your data is staying secure.
- Flexibility – Access your businesses data from anywhere in the world, on any device.
These are just a few benefits to using the cloud for SMEs, we will look at putting together some more specific content on this in the future.
How to kick-start your cloud journey
Before you commit to migrating your processes into the cloud, there are some steps you should take to evaluate your current set up. It’s important to think about what processes you have in place and how the systems you are using impact those, then ultimately, how migrating those processes to the Cloud will impact the functionality.
- Understand your systems – The first thing you should do, is audit and understand your existing software, workflows and the hardware backing that all up. You may realise that those old on-premise storage devices or servers may not be as cost effective as you might think.
- Identify key pain points – It’s likely that your business is facing several challenges that you may simple be ‘dealing’ with, when they may be holding back your potential. So, try to understand the challenges your business faces, this may for example range from inability work hybrid and remote, through to huge server costs.
- Highlight your priorities – What areas do you think you should focus on first? A number of SMEs will begin by migrating their emails to platforms like Microsoft 365. Another great way to start, is by looking at new software’s for existing processes, that allow for cloud-based working.
- Understand the direction your business is heading in – Are you looking to increase your businesses headcount, increase flexible and remote working opportunities or simply looking to streamline your business. Understanding the direction you are heading in, will allow you and your team to understand the steps needed to be successful.
Accenture, suggest the first question any business should answer is ‘What’s the business value to be gained by moving to the cloud?’ (https://www.accenture.com/gb-en/insights/cloud-migration-index) – a great starting point on your cloud journey.
Enhancing your businesses security
Unfortunately, there is a level of misconception surrounding cloud security, with businesses often seeing moving to the cloud as a risk to the data and information they process. Though for the most part this isn’t the case, providing that businesses or their IT supplier properly handle the resources they are using. Companies producing these cloud services are constantly releasing patches and updates that ensure security measures are still working effectively. You need the right expert team behind you.
Aztech add that ‘Cloud service providers invest heavily in robust security infrastructure and backup systems to ensure that their clients’ data is secure and always available’ (Cloud vs On Premise Security: Which is More Secure?).
So now that’s cleared up, let’s look at the security features available to businesses who have migrated to the cloud..
- Stronger identity and access management – Cloud Service Providers are able to offer much more sophisticated security identity and access controls through technologies such as Microsoft’s Conditional Access Policies, Passwordless authentication, and Multi-Factor Authentication, giving you enhanced layers of protection to the accounts your business uses daily.
- Cost effective availability – If you want to ensure your on-premises infrastructure never goes down, you need to build resiliency into your infrastructure such as having at least two of everything e.g. firewalls/routers, servers, network switches, network storage, etc. Cloud infrastructure like Microsoft Azure has all this resiliency already built-in and provided to you at a fraction of the cost of running and maintaining those systems yourself.
- Monitoring and detection – Cloud Service Providers can offer a much more sophisticated suite of monitoring and detection capabilities, as they have many more data points to monitor and gather information from. This gives you a greater ability to identify and respond to cyber threats.
- Compliance and certification – Many Cloud Service Providers offer built-in tools that align with many different regulatory standards and security frameworks (like Cyber Essentials), making compliance issues much easier to identify, and therefore it’s easier to maintain compliance all year round.
It’s very likely your business will need expert support to transition and then support your environment in the Cloud. Choosing the right supplier is key, we always advise to look at their certifications and testimonials. At bzb IT, we’re trusted by Microsoft as one of their Solutions Partners, alongside our deep understanding of SME security being an Assured Service Provider by the National Cyber Security Centre. We understand the importance of compliance within your business and have been actively helping businesses achieve it for years. What better way to prove this than a video testimonial from one of our clients! Take a look at what one of our clients (Day1People) had to say – bzb IT – Client Testimonial (Day1People)
Whether it’s migrating to the cloud, or reaching the expected levels of compliance, the team here at bzb IT are ready to support your journey.
The Road Ahead
Moving to the cloud doesn’t have to be daunting, it’s often much simpler than you might expect. Think of cloud migration as a long-term investment in the future of your business. Whether you’re planning to grow your team, embrace flexible or remote working, or enhance productivity and collaboration, the cloud provides the foundation to achieve it.
At bzb IT, we guide businesses through the entire process, helping them unlock the full potential of cloud solutions. The cloud enables continuous evolution and opens doors to exciting opportunities for growth.
If you’d like to learn more, hop onto our live chat, or give us a call, we’d be happy to help!
