More businesses are moving most or part of their operation to the cloud nowadays. It’s estimated that over 94% of businesses use the cloud in some capacity. While some may decide to use public cloud services, others may want to have their own infrastructure for more safety abusinnd to have more control over their systems. Either way, you have to be aware of some of the benefits and drawbacks of the cloud before making the jump. Here are some of the pros and cons of moving your business to the cloud.
Pro – Less Infrastructure
One of the biggest benefits of cloud computing is that you will have less infrastructure to invest in and worry about. Moving your data center to the cloud would allow you to save a lot of space and energy. You also won’t have to worry about protecting it against natural disasters or vandalism, repairing it if it breaks down, or replacing it when it becomes outdated.
Con – Migration and Compatibility Issues
Many issues can pop up when you try to migrate your systems to the cloud. Some of the applications you use may not be compatible or best suited for it, for instance. You then have to worry about having a solid enough internet connection with as little latency as possible to even support it. This is something you and your managed cloud service provider will have to work together on so you can find the proper solutions. You might have to change some of the programs you use or make some improvements that could increase initial costs, so be prepared for that.
Pro – Lower Costs
Not having to manage servers or software will allow you to save a lot of time and money in the long run. You won’t have to worry about maintaining licenses or think about additional overheads such as data storage and management. Cloud computing is usually the cheapest and easiest way to manage IT, and you’ll realize how much you’re saving on maintaining and developing server infrastructure over time.
Con – Security and Privacy
Privacy and security issues are huge problems when it comes to the cloud. You not only have to worry about the privacy of your clients but of your company’s internal processes and your employees too. Having people constantly connected to the cloud comes with all sorts of risks. When it’s not deliberate attacks, it can be human error that leaves your systems vulnerable.
Devices that are stolen or lost are two prime examples. This means that you will need to put systems in place to make sure that only authorized people are connected to your systems and that they can only access the information they are allowed to. This is another thing a skilled managed cloud service provider will be able to help you with.
The cloud could be a great solution for your business if you want to reduce your overheads and run a more agile operation. It does have some drawbacks you need to be prepared for, however, so plan carefully.
