Being an innovative technology, cloud computing is trending and organizations have decided to take their business to a new dimension using it. Statistics show that around 3.4 billion users use cloud technology, which is almost half of the total population of the world. This portrays, cloud computing technology is increasing massively and will soon control the IT sector. Being a leading adopter, corporations should have sufficient knowledge about this trend so that they can benefit from it. The growth in cloud computing is not just associated with the number of users it is attracting, but also, it is evolving continuously by providing improved means of service to the company who are availing it.
Beneficial Impacts of Cloud Computing on Corporate IT
Companies are becoming more inclined towards using this cutting edge technology instead of creating their own. In doing so, they are being able to be more productive in other sectors to attain their business goals. Below are some of the key benefits of using cloud computing for corporate IT.
Cost: Cloud computing reduces the investment expense of a corporate by eliminating the need of, hardware, software, set ups, establishing data centers, employing IT professionals for management, piles of servers, power, electricity. Having the advantage to acquire when required and only pay for the services based on the usage, a bulk of cost for IT of the organizations is already halved. Despite not being the owner, corporate can still benefit from the service.
Scalability and flexibility: Being flexible in nature, corporate has the privilege to scale up and down according to their requirement. Organizations have the freedom to demand for more services in the future if required. Cloud computing can be seamlessly scaled, if a business grows over a course of time. The easy option of testing provides the corporate a better understanding regarding which service they want to avail. As a business can change any moment, cloud computing gives the flexibility to switch to other services.
Mobility and reliability: As the name suggests, cloud, services can be availed from anywhere at any time, using any given device. All it requires is a functioning internet connection. Cloud computing provides a flexible work culture due to its mobility. Having the opportunity to work on projects from anywhere along with other team members, the cohesion among the team strengthens. Due to this mobility, recovering and backing up of data has made this technology very dependable.
Storage and upgrades: Storage service is being offered to the customers by some providers. Thus, helping the organization to store more information in the cloud than on the devices. More storage can be acquired when necessary. With the change in trends of the businesses, the providers are accountable for providing the latest technological upgrades in compliance with these trends. The easy upgrade feature makes the service more lucrative.
Security and recovery: While selecting a service provider, security and privacy are the foremost concern of any organization. Breach of information is tackled as the providers invest large sums to ensure this and have built a secured infrastructure for enhanced security. If a disaster takes place, the service providers guarantee the service of recovering the data in the quickest time possible.
Challenging Impacts of Cloud Computing on Corporate IT
It is a challenging decision for a company, when they decide to transfer to a cloud service; they need to look into the challenges that cloud computing brings. After proper analysis the company should then decide what they would like to do as a leak of information will have a devastating effect. Some of the challenges are discussed below.
Interoperability: One of the biggest challenges of migrating to cloud for organizations is to ensure the capability of the devices to operate smoothly within the cloud network. Communication among the devices is a primary concern and to achieve that a specific code needs to be developed which will give the flexibility to work with numerous providers concurrently irrespective of their differences. When the business migrates to the cloud, it should have the capability to be compatible with different service providers.
Cloud security: Businesses transfer valuable information to the cloud without having much control about it as they are not being able to see it physically. The providers need to ensure the security and privacy of such valuable information. Cloud services are availed using the internet; hackers are an ongoing threat and might steal data at any moment. It is important to wisely select the provider, who ensures that they have the necessary tools to prevent such fraudulent activity.
Organizational aspect: While an organization decides to migrate, the organization will experience change in funding, staffs, vision, etc. Along with this, new challenges will surface for different sectors; administration or operation. New concerns will emerge regarding the security and privacy challenges that the organization needs to comply with. A welcoming approach to this change can mitigate half the issues that are created and help the business to flourish.
Regulatory challenges: Different legal and regulatory matters need to be analyzed, before the organization decides to use a cloud technology. The accountability of the providers and clients are detailed in the law for cloud computing. Countries behave differently when it comes to it and certain countries do not allow uploading of personal information beyond their own parameter. Establishing country specific centers are also not possible for its expenses. A slight breach of data can result in haughty compensation as the law states.
The challenges can be overcome if the strategic measures are taken; using encrypted techniques, hiring the efficient cloud professionals, and mostly educating the employees. Comparing the benefits and challenges, cloud computing still wins. This modern technology has the capability of making an organization a giant when utilized efficiently. It is a revolutionary technology that seems promising and will surely overtake all other technologies in the IT sector.