The list of benefits to using Cloud Services in place of traditional on-premise IT solutions is a long one, and it’s continuing to get longer. More than just a substitution for on-site hardware and aging software, the Cloud is a whole new way to approach business technology.

To sum up Cloud Services in the simplest terms, these are computing services made available to users via the Internet. This includes things like email, which has always been an Internet-based service, and extends to telephone services, file storage and application hosting, and data backup and recovery solutions. The Cloud is, in essence, an Internet-based data and program hosting platform that allows you and your team to access important data and applications both in and out of the office.

There are a ton of great benefits to Cloud Services that go beyond accessibility and convenience:

  • Cost Reduction – With no need to maintain or purchase expensive IT infrastructure such as servers, or to employ IT support staff, your IT budget can be put towards other investments instead of upkeep and salary packages.
  • Improved Mobility – With the ability to access important resources from anywhere they can get an Internet connection, your staff can work remotely and stay productive no matter where they are.
  • Predictable IT Spending – With no need to budget for repairs or upgrades or rely on estimates to figure out what your IT will cost you from month to month, Cloud Services can be a straightforward operating expense. You’ll pay a predictable amount each month for the services you need.
  • Improved Security – Having data stored off-site in multiple locations improves security by reducing the risk of permanent data loss and helps to shield your data from certain types of cyber threats.
  • Freedom and Flexibility – The Cloud is an easily scalable solution, which means things like storage space can be increased or reduced to meet changing business needs with ease.
  • Application Hosting – Having your applications on a server in the Cloud, hosted by a third party like Amazon Web Services, allows applications to be used via a browser on your computer. Application hosting also reduces cost through lower maintenance and software licensing costs.
  • Microsoft Office 365 – Instead of buying individual Microsoft Office licenses and upgrading every few years, an Office 365 subscription provides the latest version of Microsoft Office and all updates to your business for a monthly fee.
  • VoIP – Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) replaces traditional landline business phone systems with an Internet-based alternative that offers a whole host of added features designed for a modern and mobile workplace.

These are just the basics of what Cloud Services provide today’s businesses. Choosing to access Cloud Services through a Managed IT Provider has the added benefit of not only allowing you to make use of Cloud technology but offers added support and solutions that most Cloud vendors can’t. And instead of turning to multiple vendors to provide specific services, a Managed IT Provider that specializes in Cloud Services acts as a one-stop shop of sorts.

This is the role Phoenix IT performs for businesses in Charlestown, New Albany, Jeffersonville, Salem, Scottsburg, and Corydon. In addition to all of the services listed above, our team of Cloud professionals handles the setup of your new Cloud infrastructure, offers Internet and Connectivity Consulting to help you make sense of your Internet needs and Internet service provider (ISP) options, and provides Mobile Device Security and Management to help you better manage the security of any devices that access your data remotely.

The Cloud is a vast and exciting resource, and our goal is to help our clients make the most of what it can offer your business without compromising security, functionality, or compliance.