Traditionally, businesses have relied on expensive and complicated software and hardware to run their operations, often requiring an entirely separate department (IT department) to install, configure, test, run, secure, and update. These commercial applications that are supposed to improve data storage and security, information exchange, and communication are not always efficient and worthwhile. A lot of money goes into budgeting for IT needs, whether the company does it in-house or has outsourced it. For small and medium-sized businesses, these technologies are out of reach as they are too expensive and therefore fall behind the competition. Even the largest companies with the best IT departments still struggle to maximize their efficiency and gain a competitive advantage with their current technologies. When cloud computing was introduced, the business operation changed for the better, in many ways, and will continue to improve over the years.
What is cloud computing? Cloud Computing is a term used to describe hosted services that are delivered over the Internet. The name is derived from the cloud-like shape that the internet is illustrated in a flow chart or diagram. What cloud computing has done for businesses has been an exciting experiment. Cloud computing allows the shift from traditional software to the easily accessible network, the Internet. All shared resources and accessible communication systems can be realized through the Internet in real time and anywhere. Multinational corporations can gain access to various amounts of information at any of their offices around the world. While software or hardware would require more time and money to get up and running, business cloud-based applications can be up and running in a few days or weeks, costing less overtime. It also allows business applications to run faster with improved manageability and less maintenance. Business owners have more control over what IT they need and, if necessary, have the ability to scale down seamlessly. Some key business operations that have improved due to cloud computing include communication, customer and supplier relationship management, human resources, accounting, and more.
Communication is an important factor in business as it is needed to build relationships, secure deals, exchange ideas with employees, clients, partners, customers etc. Cloud technologies have made communication accessible for businesses to reach people all over the world. Business meetings and conferences have been greatly improved by cloud technologies. With the availability of web video conferencing, businesses can chat with key stakeholders in remote locations around the world, face-to-face without actually being in their physical presence. This allows companies to save costs and travel/transport time and put those savings to better uses. Audiovisual installation does not require a lot of installation and maintenance work, thus it also saves even more money for the business.
The future of cloud computing is significant. Communication improvements are underway as cloud computing has made it accessible to collaborate via mobile devices. As consumers and businesses demand more convenience in sharing resources and communications, our work lives will become just as easy as our personal lives online.