What are the Business Benefits of Moving to the Cloud?

What have you heard about the Cloud? Have you considered moving to Cloud-based software after hearing about its many benefits? Recent talk regarding Cloud computing, its benefits and its impact on today’s businesses has many companies wondering if they should make the move from on-premises enterprise solutions to Cloud-based options. The attractive operational benefits, system flexibility, and promises of cost-savings lure in many prospects who want to improve business efficiency and streamline operations.

Moving to the Cloud like and significant change to your business operation require forethought and planning if you want to do it right.

Here are five business benefits Cloud-ready organizations can expect to experience from Cloud-based business software:

1. Improved flexibility. Flexibility is one of the most immediate benefits of Cloud-based business solutions. Users can connect to their software and data using a computer or mobile device from virtually any location with an Internet connection. This instant global access can improve your business’ response time dramatically while providing managers with real-time visibility to make effective decisions wherever they are located.
2. Seamless integration. In the past, it was difficult to integrate business solutions if they were not linked from the start. Businesses had to spend thousands of dollars – and even more time – on software integration projects. With the Cloud, however, the process can be almost seamless. Integrations between many popular Cloud products are already built and require no additional programing.  These easy to implement connectors allow businesses to quickly gain access to all of the information they need.
3. Reduced IT expense and automatic upgrades. Cloud-based software require minimal hardware and less IT support than traditional systems, freeing up your IT team to work on the other issues demanding their attention. In addition, the Cloud grants companies access to immediate upgrades and new features, eliminating the gap between upgrade releases and actual implementations.
4. Top-notch security. Many businesses worry about the security of their data and information when considering Cloud-based business solutions. With the technology now available, business software in the Cloud can provide state of the art built-in security far superior to on premises implementation. Cloud applications have many security measures in place to ensure optimal protection, including security encryption, guaranteed backups, redundancy, and biometric security or armed guards protecting the data in the Cloud. The available statistics show Cloud to be a highly secure place for your data. Many Cloud suppliers guarantee a minimum of 99.6 % uptime – a rate that ensures your business keeps functioning when you most need it.
5. Cost-savings. An investment in a Cloud system provides a clear view of upfront costs in that one invoice to covers the full subscription fee.  An on premise system must add the tangible costs of hardware with intangibles that include added IT internal support as well as budgeting for future upgrades.  Many who move to the Cloud also benefit from cost-savings down the road. Cloud applications often expand the functionality of the business, leading to greater efficiency gains and more improved processes than their on-premises counterparts. With automatic upgrades, no server maintenance, and virtually no IT support, Cloud-based applications require very little in the form of cost other than monthly subscriptions.

If you are thinking transitioning your business software to the Cloud, an experienced business consultant can help you review all of the benefits and challenges as they relate to your distinct business needs. Contact our team of experts today to determine your readiness for Cloud-based business software.

For more information about the difference the Cloud can make, click here.