Increase Uptime, Collaboration, & Security with Managed Cloud Services
Small & mid-sized businesses alike often consider managed cloud computing solutions which offer more robust security, resiliency, uptime, collaboration platforms for remote teams. Cloud computing has proven to be more efficient, and secure by making critical data & applications more accessible, with higher uptime expectations.
In today’s modern age, cloud solutions provide the ideal environment for mobility and security in the workplace. Cloud Computing Services provide reliable and resilient infrastructure options that can modernize your organization’s IT infrastructure.
In this article, we walk you through the definition of ‘The Cloud’ and how managed cloud computing services can help your business mature from a technological standpoint.
What Does ‘The Cloud’ Mean?
Cloud Computing (aka ‘The Cloud’) typically refers to on-demand computing services that are accessible via the internet. According to the global research firm, 451 research, more than 90% of businesses utilize, or are expected to utilize a cloud computing service in the near future.
Benefits of Managed Cloud Computing Solutions
There are many reasons why businesses may decide to utilize cloud-based IT solutions, some advantages include:
Improved Uptime
One benefit that sets managed cloud solutions apart from on-premises systems is higher availability. Cloud computing solutions can offer your staff, vendors & clients better access to critical data from anywhere in the world, as long as they have an internet connection. The cloud also ensures these mission-critical systems experience as little downtime as possible.
As Microsoft Azure explains, “Highly available systems guarantee a certain percentage of uptime – for example, a system that has 99.9% uptime will be down only 0.1% of the time – 0.365 days or 8.76 hours per year.” This amount of uptime is simply not possible with on-premises servers.
The main reason cloud-based services can achieve such elevated levels of uptime is because of a concept known as server clustering. A high availability server cluster refers to a group of servers that all have access to resource repositories. If one server becomes unavailable, the other servers pick up the slack automatically.
The implementation of high availability cloud computing solutions is one of the best ways to limit downtime in your organization. You can think of high availability solutions as a type of insurance for your critical data & applications.
Modern Collaboration Platforms for Remote Teams
For most modern organizations, the days of exclusively brainstorming with colleagues in a conference room are heading towards extinction. With that being said, most businesses are relying on the Microsoft 365 platform.
Microsoft Teams via Microsoft 365 is a great example of a cloud solution that provides the functionality to replace the traditional in-person collaboration methods. MS Teams is an ideal solution for on-demand, highly available collaboration. Team members are connected through centralized teams and/or channels that provide the ability to:
- Chat
- Video Conference
- Make Phone Calls
- Host/Attend Virtual Meetings
- Assign/Track Tasks
- Share, Create & Store Documents
Other examples of cloud-based collaboration platforms are Google Apps, Asana, Trello, etc. No matter the solution utilized, you will be able to connect with your teammates on-demand & share data seamlessly.
Heightened Security
Cybercrime is a massive issue facing modern businesses. With the increased rise in ransomware IT systems are vulnerable to devastating malware attacks. Businesses of all sizes are targets for cybercriminals.
Ransomware and other forms of cyberattacks have evolved significantly in recent years. If your business is still relying on legacy on-premises systems, the time has come to consider managed cloud computing solutions.
Unfortunately, it is not just outside threats to consider. Recently, a fired credit union employee 21GB of data to seek revenge on her employer. Within 40 minutes, she deleted 20,000 documents. The FBI agent working on the case warns: “An insider can wreak just as much havoc, if not more, than an external criminal.”
When your critical data is hosted with a cloud solutions provider, it is typically stored on a third-party server. Reputable cloud service providers should take several security measures to protect your data that often include cloud backup and Disaster Recovery solutions.
When selecting a Cloud Service Provider, ensure these services are included:
- Data Encryption
- Routine Maintenance, including the application of Security Updates, Patches & Firmware
- Firewalling
- Third-Party IT Security Penetration Testing & Simulations
- Cloud Backup and Disaster Recovery Solutions
Business Continuity
In the unpredictable world we live in, many business leaders may wonder what might happen to their critical data in the event of a catastrophic outage. In the past, a true disaster recovery solution required the procurement of a remote disaster recovery site. This philosophy has become antiquated given the evolution and availability of cloud backup and Disaster Recovery solutions.
When utilizing a cloud Disaster Recovery service, recovering from a catastrophic outage is much more efficient. Cloud backup and Disaster Recovery solutions are quickly becoming the preferred BDR philosophy of most modern businesses. Currently, 48% of businesses utilize a cloud-based data repository solution as opposed to the traditional methods of storing critical data. The robust and on-demand nature of Cloud Computing Solutions makes it the ideal solution for modern Backup & Disaster Recovery.
Scalability
Uptime is key to growing businesses. Implementing cloud solutions can positively impact your business productivity and overall performance. Any organization that requires anything close to 99.99% uptime should be considering managed cloud computing services.
Managed cloud computing solutions provide the ability & functionality to scale IT infrastructure on demand. Whether the business wants to scale up or down, cloud computing services offer the flexibility to easily pivot. Also experience more freedom by not being tied down to an on-premises infrastructure that is less reliable, and more expensive to maintain & secure.
While the cloud is relatively simple to utilize from the end-user perspective, implementation & configuration of modern cloud solutions can be complicated. Cloud implementation projects are complex and require a level of skill, expertise, experience, and strategic planning to properly execute. Hiring an IT Consulting firm to assist with the implementation of managed cloud services is highly advisable.
What are Cloud Management Services?
Depending on the MSP (Managed Service Provider) or IT Consulting firm providing outsourced Cloud Management Services, their responsibilities can include IT Business Continuity Planning Services including cloud backup & disaster recovery solutions, optimization, configuration, security & maintenance.
Managed Cloud Computing Services in Denver & Nationwide
While Cloud Computing Services are a huge advantage to modern businesses, they are complex to implement and manage. At NOYNIM IT Solutions, our certified experts are here to help your business scale by utilizing world-class cloud solutions.
We offer Managed Cloud Services in Denver as well as nationwide. To learn more, please contact us.