The cloud offers several advantages, some of which may vary based on the size and type of company that you’re running, the industry in you operate and the process of transforming your business.

• For start-up businesses, the cloud can offer an differentiation. It empowers anyone with an idea to get their business up and running quickly with minimal up-front costs because there is no capital expenditure.
• The cloud enables small to medium-sized businesses with limited resources to take advantage of industry compute, storage and networking capabilities that they can scale on demand as their company or business grows.
• Larger enterprises often face complex challenges ensuring the availability and performance of high-traffic websites and demanding applications, as well as infrastructure requirements that vary across departments. The cloud can help enterprises increase their operational efficiency, productivity and agility.

Cloud computing operates on a similar principle as web-based email clients, allowing users to access all of the features and files of the system without having to keep the bulk of that system on their own computers. In fact, most people already use a variety of cloud computing services without even realizing it’Gmail, Google Drive, TurboTax, and even Facebook and Instagram are all cloud-based applications. For all of these services, users are sending their personal data to a cloud-hosted server that stores the information for later access. And as useful as these applications are for personal use, they’re even more valuable for businesses that need to be able to access large amounts of data over a secure, online network connection.

Below are the some major benefits of using Cloud Computing-

Flexibility

Cloud-based services are ideal for businesses with growing or fluctuating bandwidth demands. If your needs increase it’s easy to scale up your cloud capacity, drawing on the service’s remote servers. Likewise, if you need to scale down again, the flexibility is baked into the service. This level of agility can give businesses using cloud computing a real advantage over competitors – it’s not surprising that CIOs and IT Directors rank ‘operational agility’ as a top driver for cloud adoption.

Cost savings: If you are worried about the price tag that would come with making the switch over to cloud computing, you aren’t alone; 20 percent of organizations are concerned about the initial cost of implementing a cloud-based server. But those who are attempting to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of using the cloud need to consider more factors than just initial price; they need to consider ROI.

Security: One major hang up that many organizations have when it comes to adopting a cloud computing solution is the issue of security. After all, when files, programs, and other data aren’t kept securely on site, how can you know that they are being protected? If you can remote access your data, then what’s stopping some cyber criminal from doing the same thing? Well, quite a bit, actually.

Disaster recovery

Businesses of all sizes should be investing in robust disaster recovery, but for smaller businesses that lack the required cash and expertise, this is often more an ideal than the reality. Cloud is now helping more organisations buck that trend. According to Aberdeen Group, small businesses are twice as likely as larger companies to have implemented cloud-based backup and recovery solutions that save time, avoid large up-front investment and roll up third-party expertise as part of the deal.

Accessibility

Cloud-based applications and data are accessible from virtually any internet-connected device.

Speed to market

Developing in the cloud enables users to get their applications to market quickly.

Data security

Hardware failures do not result in data loss because of networked backups.

Savings on equipment

Cloud computing uses remote resources, saving organizations the cost of servers and other equipment.

Pay structure

A “utility” pay structure means users only pay for the resources they use.

Fresh Software

With SaaS, the latest versions of the applications needed to run the business are made available to all customers as soon as they’re released. Immediate upgrades put new features and functionality into workers’ hands to make them more productive. What’s more, software enhancements are typically released quite frequently. This is in contrast to home grown or purchased software that might have major new releases only once a year or so and take significant time to roll out.

Power and Capacity

The cloud offers practically unlimited data storage and processing power. This is due to the pooling of computer resources such as geographically distributed servers. Whereas before, only the richest companies could afford to set up the necessary local computing infrastructure for large-scale data operations, any business can now tap into this potential by simply signing up to a cloud computing service.

Reduced IT costs

Moving to cloud computing may reduce the cost of managing and maintaining your IT systems. Rather than purchasing expensive systems and equipment for your business, you can reduce your costs by using the resources of your cloud computing service provider. You may be able to reduce your operating costs because:

• the cost of system upgrades, new hardware and software may be included in your contract
• you no longer need to pay wages for expert staff
• your energy consumption costs may be reduced
• there are fewer time delays.

Always-on availability

Most cloud providers are extremely reliable in providing their services, with many maintaining 99.99% uptime. The connection is always on and as long as workers have an Internet connection, they can get to the applications they need from practically anywhere. Some applications even work off-line.

Streamlined work

Cloud service providers (CSPs) manage underlying infrastructure, enabling organizations to focus on application development and other priorities.

Regular updates

Service providers regularly update offerings to give users the most up-to-date technology.

Collaboration

Worldwide access means teams can collaborate from widespread locations.

Competitive edge

Organizations can move more nimbly than competitors who must devote IT resources to managing infrastructure.

Capital-expenditure Free

Cloud computing cuts out the high cost of hardware. You simply pay as you go and enjoy a subscription-based model that’s kind to your cash flow. Add to that the ease of setup and management and suddenly your scary, hairy IT project looks at lot friendlier. It’s never been easier to take the first step to cloud adoption.

Work from anywhere

With cloud computing, if you’ve got an internet connection you can be at work. And with most serious cloud services offering mobile apps, you’re not restricted by which device you’ve got to hand.

The result? Businesses can offer more flexible working perks to employees so they can enjoy the work-life balance that suits them – without productivity taking a hit. One study reported that 42% of workers would swap a portion of their pay for the ability to telecommute. On average they’d be willing to take a 6% pay cut.