Is your business ready to “Step” into the Cloud?

Where do you watch TV today? Are you sitting comfortably on your couch watching American Idol on your flat screen TV? Or are you streaming your favorite show via your tablet or laptop? I am sure your answer is the latter, your tablet or laptop. While most of our personal lives are spent watching videos, playing games and online banking in the cloud, many businesses have yet to make that important “step” into the cloud.

The Benefits of the Cloud:

A – Accessibility – As long as you have an Internet connection, you can access everything from your Facebook page to your client’s website to your email accounts from anywhere around the globe. Can you imagine yourself lounging casually on a beach on Block Island while writing your end of year fiscal report? With the cloud you can!

B – Business Continuity / Disaster Recovery – Rhode Island cannot forget the devastating storms that rocked our tiny state! From flooding in 2010 that put many businesses under water (literally) to Tropical Storm Irene in August 2011 and then in October the ice storm that left over 800,000 Connecticut Light and Power customers without heat and electricity for nearly 2 weeks. Your disaster plan cannot be a mere shrug our shoulders with the thought: “It won’t happen to me!”

Storing your valuable data in the cloud will enable you to remain business-as-usual even if your office is inaccessible. Your building and its furniture can be replaceable; rebuilding your invaluable client information could take a lifetime. Don’t be naïve, start planning for disaster today!

C – Cost – The beauty of the cloud is you buy what you need. If you are looking for a data storage solution, you buy just enough storage space to accommodate your needs. As you grow, you can incrementally increase your capacity without buying servers or licenses.

Before you step…know the risks:

Security – Because your data is available over the Internet, you want to make sure your cloud provider maintains strong security practices. Choose a reputable provider that will encrypt your data.

Privacy – Keep in mind, when storing your data in the cloud, your provider is responsible for your data and has access to it. Ask about their privacy policy so you understand how the provider keeps your data confidential and away from prying eyes.

Availability – Herein lies the truth about cloud computing: NO INTERNET = NO ACCESS to your data! Ways around this, buy a wireless “hot spot” to ensure at least wireless connectivity via your laptop or tablet. Also consider a second Internet connection as a fail-over just in case Mother Nature causes your primary Internet connection to go down.

According to a recent study by IDG Enterprise Cloud Computing, more than 1/3 of IT budgets will be spent on cloud computing. As our demand for immediate information grows, so too will our adoption of cloud computing applications. So don’t follow that old adage: “Take your head out of the clouds!” I am telling you to put your head and your business in the cloud!

Call PC Troubleshooters today at 401-921-2607 to learn more...