Integrating Cloud Services in Small Business Networks

Cloud deployments are fast gaining momentum among future-focused businesses looking to drive agility in their operation.

During the first quarter of 2020, cloud spending on the three main cloud service models increased by 37% to USD 29 billion. Despite the economic downshift due to the pandemic, cloud spending rose by 19% in 2020, even though overall IT spending dipped by 8%.

Let’s look a little further. According to Gartner, the end-user investment in public cloud deployment will increase by 20.4% to a staggering $675.4 billion by the end of 2024.

This exponential expansion of the cloud market underscores the climacteric role cloud environments play in transforming the global business landscape, especially for small businesses (SMBs).

In this article, we will dive deeper into the benefits of integrating cloud services with small business networks.

What is Cloud Computing?

Cloud computing is the on-demand delivery of IT resources over the internet. Any business hosted on a cloud server can access these resources – data centers, applications, and data storage – remotely and without investing in on-premises infrastructure.

Types of Cloud Computing Services

There are three main cloud types:

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): In the IaaS cloud model, virtual computing resources, for example, networking, storage, virtual machines, etc., can be accessed over the internet. IaaS models also empower users to efficiently manage their resources without investing or maintaining any physical infrastructure.

Software as a Service (SaaS): SaaS is the on-demand and remote delivery of any cloud-hosted software application. These applications are run, updated, and maintained by cloud providers. In this model, multiple end-users can access and use a single product without having a separate license for each. Anyone can get the hang of the SaaS model as it is completely maintained by providers – no external servers or hardware are needed to manage the app or store data.

Platform as a Service (PaaS): Through the PaaS platform, a fully managed framework for building custom applications is delivered to the developers. PaaS eliminates the need for buying and setting up networks, servers, and storage. Developers can use a third-party service, such as Google App Engine, for building an app. All they have to deal with is designing and customising the application. You can develop, deploy, and scale any application without requiring any underlying infrastructure.

Benefits of Cloud Computing Solutions For Small Businesses

Better Data Accessibility

Cloud technology improves data accessibility for small businesses by eliminating traditional barriers to data retrieval and collaboration. Storing data in the cloud environment means your employees can get it at their fingertips – from anywhere at any time, as long as they have an internet connection. The result: augmented remote work capabilities and seamless cross-departmental collaboration.

In addition, different cloud-based solutions make real-time data analytics and tracking more accessible. Thus, small businesses can break free from the limitations of traditional on-premises infrastructure and drive productivity in an agile and interconnected digital environment.

Cost-savings

Setting up an on-premises infrastructure for a conventional business model is a matter of substantial investment that requires business owners to purchase advanced software and hardware systems. In addition, you have to spend on regular system upgrades and maintenance and hire experts to ensure your physical IT infrastructure performs optimally.

On the other hand, with cloud storage, your business-critical data is virtually and securely stored on third-party servers maintained and operated by cloud service providers. It means cloud computing frees you from the hefty investment in building infrastructure for your business. For a small business, slashing this substantial amount of their budget is a great advantage.

Scalability

One of the biggest advantages of cloud computing for small businesses is the high-end scalability it offers. With the cloud, you don’t need to expand your hardware or software system as your business grows. Cloud environments empower users to upscale or downscale their IT resource usage with varying business demands. Scalability with cloud computing allows you to opt for the pay-as-you-go model and pay only for the resources you use.

Improved Data Security and Disaster Recovery

With an on-site infrastructure, data is stored in an on-prem server that, if fails, can lead to data loss. Again, applications or data operated on the cloud are claimed to be highly secured with multiple proactive protective measures, such as firewalls, encryptions, multifactor authentication, etc. In addition, third-party CSPs ensure regular server audits to adhere to global security standards to keep their cloud servers always upgraded and perform optimally.

Furthermore, they have expert professionals and tools implemented to track down and mitigate any potential security threats that small businesses can’t afford.

Business Continuity

The automated data backup, redundant data storage, and disaster recovery solutions hosted on cloud environments ensure your data is replicated and stored on multiple remote servers. The aim is to ensure your business is always up and running even if the main server fails. These solutions, along with the redundant infrastructure, advanced load balancing, and failover mechanisms with cloud computing, ensure high availability and optimal uptime for your business.

Challenges with Cloud Computing

Security: The systems hosted on the cloud are secured with robust security measures. However, the multi-tenancy models of the public cloud raise some security concerns.

The coexistence of data and workloads from multiple businesses on a shared server expands the attack surface and the risk of unauthorised access. Implementing robust access controls, encryption protocols, monitoring mechanisms, etc., can ensure your systems and data stored on the cloud are out of reach of scammers.

Cost Management: While cloud computing offers substantial cost savings, businesses, especially SMBs, should carefully opt for subscriptions, apply for upgrades, and track usage to effectively optimise resource allocation.

Existing System Integration: Migrating from an on-premises server to the cloud infrastructure is a challenging task that requires expertise, experience, and thorough system analysis.

Implementing Cloud Computing with Small Business

Identify Your Business Needs: Taking stock of your business needs is the first step to effectively integrating cloud computing with your small business. Evaluate your existing IT infrastructure – both software and hardware – and revisit the business goals to find out the areas where cloud services can add value and drive more productivity.

Choose Your Required Service: Select the type of service (SaaS, PaaS, IaaS) and the cloud service provider that aligns with your business goals and specifications. While selecting the CSP, make sure you evaluate the certifications and standards they have, the technologies they capitalise on and their service roadmap, their company profile, and the migration support, vendor lock-in & exit planning with a particular provider.
Develop Your Cloud Integration Strategy: Create a thought-out cloud service integration strategy by evaluating the compatibility of your workload with cloud environments. Make sure you set your budget and define the timeframe you need the integration to be completed within your plan.

A well-defined strategy is critical to enable a smooth transition while limiting downtimes. Ensure you include an effective data backup and recovery plan in your cloud strategy. With APIs, integration solutions, and expert assistance, small businesses can seamlessly transition to cloud-based tools while maintaining business continuity and data integrity. In addition, you can improve collaboration, streamline workflows, and tap into new opportunities.

Train Your Staff: Once you have migrated your workloads to the cloud, it’s time to train your team. Thus, they get the most out of the infrastructure.

Enable Regular Monitoring: Monitor your resource usage, operational cost, and system performance after transitioning to the cloud. Thus, you can ensure maximum operational efficacy to keep revenue rolling in.

Cloud Solutions for Small Business

Data Storage

Different cloud storage tools, such as OneDrive, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and Azure, help a small business owner optimise their business operations and reduce IT overhead – you don’t need to install expensive hardware. In addition, these tools enable effective data synchronisation and file access from anywhere, at any time.

Professional Software

You will find the cloud market buzzing with different high-end professional solutions such as Microsoft Teams, Zoom, etc., widely used by small businesses. These tools foster cross-departmental collaboration and are cost-effective to implement. For a small business looking to ensure their services are always up and can cater to a wide range and volume of traffic, adopting a cloud-based CRM is the most viable option. An integrated CRM ensures you get all essential customer information at your fingertip for an augmented user experience.

Cloud Security

Cloud security solutions are widely used by small businesses as an affordable means to safeguard their websites. Cloud-based security programs offer high-end features and functionalities to identify and mitigate potential security -vulnerabilities before they escalate into hefty operational disruptions.

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Evan Bailey

Router Technology Expert at Come Route With Me

Evan Bailey has years of experience in the field of router technology and home networking. His background includes extensive research and hands-on experience with various networking technologies, making him a trusted authority in this domain. Evan's work ensures that both tech enthusiasts and everyday users can benefit.