Forget a cumulonimbus, we’re talking about a different kind of cloud today.
You have likely already heard the term “the cloud” thrown around in tech circles, but it can be difficult to pin down exactly what it means. Many think of the cloud as a strange, far-off place outside of their phones where data is stored without the need for external drives, but it’s more than that! In fact, the cloud is an important tool that small businesses in the Los Angeles area and beyond have used to great success.
Here’s everything you need to know about the cloud and how you can use it in your small business.
What is the cloud?
At its core, the cloud is an off-device storage solution. It consists of many servers in data centers across the globe (and the software and other databases that function using those servers) that can be accessed via the internet. Though these servers are housed in a real world, physical location, the cloud itself is not a physical place, but it’s not internet limbo, either!
When you send pictures, documents, and other types of data to the cloud, they are digitally stored within these servers where you can access them at any time, provided that you are connected to the internet.
You may not know it, but you likely already use the cloud every day. If you use Netflix, Google Docs, or play video games with friends online, you’re making use of the cloud. Using services like these, you’re accessing data without needing to directly download it.
How can I use the cloud for my small business?
Though the cloud is great for everyday entertainment, it can be tailored to meet a number of your small business needs. Here are some of the most common (and useful!) ways small business owners and their employees use the cloud:
1. Data Storage
Just like you use Google Docs in your day to day life, the cloud is especially useful for data storage. No matter what type of industry you work in, your small business likely deals with a large number of files. Whether you need to have documents ready for clients to sign at a moment’s notice or need to seamlessly share marketing materials with a large team, you can store them all on the cloud.
2. Data Security, Backup, and Recovery
Have you ever accidentally deleted an important file from your computer and it was lost forever? Or worse — your computer or hard drive was hacked and all of your files were corrupted? Before the cloud, these were common frustrations for small businesses and a serious threat to security. The cloud can be used to backup all of your data. You can store a copy of each file to ensure it can be recovered if the original file on the local or external drive is deleted or corrupted.
3. Data Sharing and Remote Work
When files are stored on the cloud, they can be accessed from any device of your choosing, rather than being restricted to one computer that the files are saved on.This means that you can easily share files with all of your employees at once, either by sending a link or by giving them access to the cloud location. This also means that you can access cloud files on a phone or tablet if you aren’t in the office.
How can my small business benefit from using the cloud?
Here in Tustin, California, we’ve seen the cloud become an invaluable tool to small businesses. In fact, it’s a technological advancement that makes our jobs much easier — once you’ve tried the cloud, you’ll wonder how you’ve ever lived without it. Here are some of the biggest benefits of using the cloud for your small business.
1. The cloud is cheaper than traditional data storage.
Before the cloud, there were paper files! Even after businesses went paperless, each employee needed to have their own work computer and hard drive to store individual data — high quality hardware with lots of space is not cheap. Cloud solutions are paid for on a subscription basis. These can be bundled with a number of other services, which can reduce small business costs exponentially.
2. Employees can collaborate quickly and easily from anywhere.
With the cloud, you and your employees can create, send, and share files on the cloud with you and clients at the touch of a button. These files can be accessed from any device, allowing you and your employees to work remotely from any device.
Cloud Computing Network Data Storage Technology Concept
3. The cloud helps small businesses mitigate losses.
In the Los Angeles area, we’re used to the occasional earthquake. With traditional data storage, years worth of files can be destroyed in minutes during a disaster. It’s not something anyone likes to think about, but it’s a real possibility. When files are backed up on the cloud, they are safe from theft, natural disasters, and the occasional accidental click of the ‘delete’ button. Even more, most cloud services will back up your files automatically.
The cloud is the modern storage solution for small businesses.
In an age where we’re all connected by the internet, it’s important that your small business stays in the loop. Here at TecKnowCare, we’re ready to help you do just that.
Contact us to learn more about how to connect your small business to the cloud today!