Strengths and Weaknesses of Cloud Computing in your Business

Tired of all the hassles incurred for running your business virtual needs? Losing too much money due to expenses to maintain it? There is a trending technology now that allows a business to be assisted via the internet that provides support wherever and whenever. Cloud computing is a recent technology advancement that is worth talking about in the business world so let us dive into it! What is Cloud Computing?

Before going into pros and cons, let us define cloud computing first. Cloud computing is the use of internet based services to support business processes. Services may include storage services and server usage. The term cloud is used as the logical diagram of the system resembles cloudy shapes. 3 Types To understand better its pros and cons, might as well know first the types of cloud computing which are:

• · Infrastructure-as-a-service – Rather than purchasing servers, software, data storage and network equipments, the vendor provides all these services and billing is based on the amount of resources consumed.
• · Platform-as-a-service – The operating system, database, and other stuff needed to run a platform for the business is provided by the vendor.
• · Software-as-a-service – Instead of purchasing licenses for software usage, the vendor runs the software application for you behind the scenes.

Now we have a good overview of cloud computing and its types, let us look at 4 pros and cons for basis on whether to get this service for your business. PROS of Cloud Services

• · Cost reduction – First off, cloud computing eliminates certain conventional costs such as paperwork, hardware, electric bills, and IT staff costs.
• · Scalability – You only pay for what service and resources you use, and you don’t have to worry about hardware and software upgrades as they grow along with your business.
• · Up to date technology – Cloud computing providers may offer smaller business organizations the latest and sophisticated technologies for being up to par with the competitions.
• · Collaboration and accessibility – The internet theme of cloud computing allows mobility and ease of access. Staffs can collaborate without distance boundaries.

CONS of Cloud Services

• · Risk of unavailability – Chances of the vendor’s resources shutting down will always be a possibility. You have no choice but to wait for services to be back again.
• · Data ownership and mobility – Service providers cannot guarantee 100% to be able to give back to you your stored data or to other services.
• · Up to date technology – Cloud computing providers may offer smaller business organizations the latest and sophisticated technologies for being up to par with the competitions.
• · Data authenticity – Again, due to the limitation of not being physical present alongside your data, safeguarding its authenticity and validity may be limited for you.

Verdict Once taking note of some pros and cons, always take into consideration some security elements and factors first and ensure that your personal needs are met alongside those factors. Researchers have concluded 6 must-consider factors before deciding on taking on a cloud computing service provider:

• · Confidentiality – data should be kept secret
• · Integrity – data should be unaltered without permission
• · Availability – data should be accessible anywhere anytime to those authorized only
• · Utility – means of data processing should be there
• · Authenticity – data validation schemes should be there
• · Possession – full control of data for authorized users

Apart from the points above, never ever take fore granted the provider’s long term viability. Make sure to scout for the provider’s reputation to have an idea for its stability and staying power. Take note too that cloud computing is more suited for small or medium organizations having that smaller project scope with temporary and short term spans because the cost of purchasing licenses and hardware may be substituted for a cheaper alternative for that short period only, saving you money. You will never have to buy those elements that may be rendered useless after the short project so cost efficiency is there. So after verifying that your target cloud computing support provider has those 6 factors mentioned, see too if your personal needs are met with its pros and that the cons are outweighed, and if so, then consider the service provider’s fees and go over the contract, ensure conditions are promised to be met. Finally, if your budget is within the fees, then go for it! Author bio: Celina Conner is a Yoga Instructor, an alumna of Marketing Management at Martin College Australia and a mother of a beautiful daughter, Krizia. She has a passion in cooking and formulating vegan recipes.Follow her adventures on her Twitter.