Cloud computing provides a platform for hosting IT services that employees, customers, and partners access over the Internet. From an end user perspective, these IT tools look and work just like current tech they use on their laptops, phones, and desktop computers. From an infrastructure standpoint, the cloud resembles remote data centers and can be managed using familiar system administration systems.
Many organizations have embraced cloud technologies for cost savings, but the bigger opportunity is business enablement. McKinsey Research found that companies that leverage cloud for innovation are five times more likely to get a return on investment from it than those focused on cost reduction alone.
A key reason for this is that with cloud, organizations can easily scale their IT resources and applications to meet demand without relying on internal IT teams or deploying dedicated hardware. With the right approach to security and resiliency, businesses can maximize their agility.
Another benefit of cloud is that files and documents stored in the cloud are accessible everywhere from any device. This is particularly helpful for teams that need to synchronize or collaborate on files from different locations or offices, and it ensures that obsolete versions don’t get passed between local sources.
Cloud storage is also highly scalable, meaning that it grows as your organization does. You can pay for only the storage you use, and cloud systems automatically reassign or remove resources to meet demand – so you’re never paying for unused capacity.
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