Starting from the ground level, startups need access to the right technological solutions at the earliest to enhance their operations. Unfortunately, aspiring entrepreneurs often work on a shoestring budget, making it challenging to keep their systems up and running on in-house servers.
Startups can use cloud computing to revolutionize their operations and strengthen employee collaboration. This supports remote working as well. Additionally, cloud computing services allow seamless development of core functions of a startup, like sales, marketing, product development, and product-keeping.
Cloud computing is the best shot if you want to enter the IT landscape to ensure startup sustainability and growth. But, understanding technical aspects can take a bit of work for you. To give you a clear idea, we will discuss why startups should go for cloud computing.
Benefits of cloud computing
Cloud computing refers to IT services that users can avail by paying for what they use, similar to utility billing, avoiding the burden of significant IT infrastructure expenses.
It offers different benefits to startups, like redefined data storage, seamless data sharing, lower infrastructure expenses, and project management capabilities.
Here are some more perks of using cloud computing in your startup –
Lower infrastructure and space expenses
Cloud computing frees you from bulky hardware and creates space for storing essential data. In addition to this, it offers seamless access to your company’s data, which can eventually save time and money.
Cloud-computing services are based on the pay-as-you-go model, which means you will get as much space as you want. That, too, without getting charged for any unused space. These factors may result in reduced costs and higher profits.
Cost-effective support
Cloud technology allows you to avail of a 24*7 support system anywhere instead of hiring a separate support staff or personnel. In addition, cloud providers offer free-of-cost support after signing up. Also, they charge a subscription fee for premium services, which you pay monthly to gain access.
Other than this, you can take the help of skilled tech experts for cloud assessment and optimization. They can help you eliminate unnecessary maintenance by identifying idle resources, avoiding duplicates, and achieving relevant compliances.
Convenient and innovative software solutions
Cloud computing lets startups integrate the industry’s leading technologies and software solutions. Moreover, it allows you to choose the best from the various features offered by cloud providers. In addition, you can avail of automatic software updates with improved security and new features after properly setting up a cloud infrastructure.
While cloud computing is evolving rapidly and new features are regularly introduced, opting for a cloud system could help a startup access software solutions that best suit their needs. Moreover, cloud solutions automatically refresh and update themselves instead of carrying out manual updates across the startup.
Ideal for easier collaboration and remote work
Remote access became critical during the pandemic, with companies being forced to go remote, and this trend still continues. Thanks to robust cloud computing solutions, employees can co-author documents, have instant access to files, and work on them without having to send an updated version to their team members.
Furthermore, business applications like Microsoft Office 365 have video, chat, and phone call features. These features can give your team members an equal opportunity to your team members to provide their input from anywhere, anytime. Also, cloud computing offers an ideal platform for employees to brainstorm innovative ideas.
Dropbox, M-Files, Google Suite, Microsoft Teams, Slack, etc., are some popular cloud-based team collaboration tools used by global organizations.
Allows for better automation
In the case of on-premise infrastructure, you need a dedicated IT team to audit, manage, and handle all critical operations. These are costly and time-consuming. And cloud computing can be the best choice.
Cloud service providers integrate automatic security patches and frequent system updates in line with the latest industry standards. Including this, cloud providers maintain servers to ensure optimized performance. The subsequent level of automation offered by the cloud frees many resources you can leverage for further expansion of your startup.
Supports massive data and analytics
In-house hardware setups have data storage, processing, and performance limitations. With cloud computing, servers can handle an enormous amount of data, especially when startups need faster network capabilities and greater bandwidth to manage the surge in traffic.
Besides, a multi-cloud approach simplifies large data sets to overcome modern data challenges such as data gravity. As a result, you can use them to improve your services, understand customer requirements, and access robust cloud analytics, irrespective of the data sets.
Enhanced data security
Increasing cases of hacking and cyberattacks make startups concerned about the security of critical data and files uploaded to the cloud. To enjoy various benefits of the cloud, you must carefully select your cloud provider based on your company size, domain, actual business requirements, and local data privacy laws.
And the startups should follow standard cybersecurity practices, such as –
- Only authorized personnel should access the documents and files stored in the cloud.
- Two-factor authentication and set role-based access to ensure that only the authentic user can access important files.
- Educate employees on email scams, virus attacks, device usage, data access protocols, and password safety.
Conclusion
With an increase in cloud computing solutions in the markets, there is a constant whirlwind of discussion about which is best for businesses of all shapes and sizes. But ultimately, assessing the cloud computing needs of startups should be done according to the individual company’s specific requirements.
The first step to meeting cloud computing needs for startups is to identify them. Then, you can put together a unique strategy to fulfill those needs. You can even consult with a proven cloud solution developer that will help you better understand your requirements.