What is the Cloud?
The buzzword everybody is focused on is the Cloud.
- Cloud services
- Cloud software
- Software as a service
- Hardware as a service
- The list goes on and on.
But when it comes down to it, what is the Cloud and all these service products really about? It’s really about renting somebody else’s server and programs that are sitting somewhere else and accessed over the Internet or network.
How do you decide to move to the cloud?
Moving to the Cloud is a big decision, and it’s not right for everyone. Before considering the Cloud, it’s important to carefully assess your business’ network and data usage. This critical step identifies data usage patterns. Then you can wisely choose which products and services may benefit from being in the Cloud and which ones should be kept within your organization. Sometimes a hybrid option of deploying some functionality to the Cloud is the best way to go. Or for some kinds of data, the cloud is the wrong solution.
Pros
There are many benefits to renting somebody else’s server and services on a continual basis.
- There are no capital expenses.
- Everything is always up-to-date and continually improving without direct capital expenditure on your part.
Cons
You might think some downsides are related to security or cost, but those issues have largely been addressed. However, if your company regularly deals with large data, you might encounter slowness frustration and high transfer fees. Think twice about migrating data to the Cloud if you:
- Use CAD and CAM
- Specialize in graphic design
- Deal with large quantities of images
- Use very large database files that aren’t currently in database format
Still Feeling Hazy?
If you don’t have the right people helping you, then moving to the Cloud is the wrong decision. Let our expert team help you navigate the Cloud!
