SevenC, a leading IT infrastructure and network service provider striving to identify and make available the best possible ICT strategies for its clients’ unique needs, demystifies cloud computing and gives tips on choosing the right cloud services for your business.
“Many have come across the term ‘cloud computing’ but might still be unclear about its significance and relevance to their business,” says Graeme Millar, the managing director of SevenC Computing.
“Today, we’re talking about the influence cloud computing can have on operational efficiency, scalability, and flexibility.”
Cloud Computing Made Simple
Cloud computing is a technology that enables users to access and utilise computer resources (such as servers, storage, databases, networking, software, analytics, and other resources) over the internet. Unlike traditional on-premises computing, which hosts all of these resources locally within an organisation, cloud computing offloads infrastructure administration to cloud service providers.
Benefits of Cloud Computing for Businesses
A significant advantage of cloud computing is scalability. Businesses may rapidly scale up or down their resources in response to demand. Because cloud services are subscription-based, capital investment is also reduced. You no longer need to buy and maintain costly hardware and data facilities. Instead, you pay for the computational power and storage you need, which is frequently more cost-effective in the long term.
Other advantages include:
· Flexibility and Mobility: Data and apps may be accessed remotely from any place with an internet connection.
· Automatic Updates and Maintenance: Cloud service providers manage software upgrades and maintenance, ensuring you have access to the most up-to-date features and security fixes at all times.
· Security and Compliance: Leading cloud providers make significant investments in security measures like encryption, access restrictions, and compliance certifications.
· Disaster Recovery: Typically, cloud services have comprehensive disaster recovery solutions. Your data is redundantly stored in different data centres, lowering the risk of data loss due to hardware problems or natural catastrophes.
Choosing the Right Cloud Services
With various cloud service providers and many services available, selecting the right cloud services for your business requires careful consideration. Two popular options are Microsoft’s Office 365 and Google Apps (now known as Google Workspace). Let’s explore how to make an informed choice between these platforms:
Office 365 (Microsoft 365)
Office 365 is a suite of cloud-based productivity tools and applications offered by Microsoft. It includes widely used software like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and more. If your company has been using Microsoft Office software for years, the transfer to Office 365 is usually painless. Microsoft’s ecosystem allows for easy integration between Office 365 and other Microsoft services like Azure, Dynamics 365, and Power Platform. This can be advantageous if your business relies on these services. Office 365 has sophisticated security features, including threat protection, data loss prevention, and identity management. You can choose from various subscription levels and add-ons to tailor the suite to your requirements.
Google Apps (Google Workspace)
Gmail, Google Drive, Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, and other cloud-based productivity tools are available through Google Apps (now branded as Google Workspace). Google Workspace is renowned for its real-time collaboration features and user-friendly interface. While Google Workspace may have a less extensive ecosystem than Microsoft, it tends to be competitively priced while still offering integrations with various third-party applications through its marketplace. This allows you to extend its functionality to suit your needs.
Choosing the Right Service for Your Business
When deciding between Office 365 and Google Workspace (formerly Google Apps), consider the following factors:
1. Business Needs: Evaluate your organisation’s needs, such as collaboration requirements, document storage, email management, and integration with existing systems.
2. User Preference: Consider the familiarity and preferences of your employees. If your team is accustomed to Microsoft Office applications, Office 365 may be a smoother transition. Conversely, sticking with it may be more efficient if they are already using Google Workspace.
3. Budget: Compare price plans and features to verify that they are in line with your budget and long-term objectives.
4. Security and Compliance: Assess both platforms’ security features and compliance capabilities to determine which better meets your industry and regulatory requirements.
5. Scalability: Consider your company’s possibilities for expansion.
6. Support and Training: Evaluate the availability of support, training resources, and documentation provided by each platform to facilitate onboarding and ongoing usage.
Conclusion
Demystifying cloud computing and understanding its benefits is the first step towards making educated decisions about your company’s IT strategy.
At SevenC, we have vast experience in cloud computing, and our dedicated staff is here to assist you in navigating the process and realise the full potential of cloud technology.
Get in touch with us right now to learn more about our services.
