intY is an award-winning distributor of cloud services from the biggest cloud software vendors in the world.
In the run up to its flagship festival, intY CloudFest 2018, taking place at the Celtic Manor in Newport next month, intY CEO Craig Joseph tells Business News Wales how small businesses can benefit from cloud technology…
Use of the cloud is fast becoming the new normal. Last year, cloud adoption for UK businesses reached 88% – a figure which is continuing to grow. The long and short of it is, if your business isn’t using cloud technology, you’re already behind.
That’s not to say you should commit to the cloud because everyone else has. Cloud technology can however mean big positive changes for your small business.
What is cloud computing?
Cloud computing relies on shared computing resources rather than a local server or personal computer. It allows businesses to use a remote network of servers hosted on the internet to store and manage data.
Cloud technology brings flexibility to organisations as applications, business data and files are held in the tech giants’ secure data centres. So, whether you’re working from the office, home or abroad, cloud technology enables you to access all business data from anywhere with an internet connection. This offers several benefits to small business owners in terms of accessibility, security, cost and time. Put simply, cloud computing makes life easier for you and your clients/customers.
- Lower costs
By using cloud technology, you’re effectively renting a service rather than buying a product. You will only pay for the services you use, when you use them, and the maintenance will be dealt with by the host vendors, saving thousands of pounds on expensive hardware and software, IT requirements and power usage over the years.
- Flexibility
One of the biggest advantages of cloud computing is the ability to access files from anywhere at any time, on any device. The cloud allows for flexible working arrangements and remote workers. It gives you and your employees the ability to simultaneously share and edit files, supporting both internal and external collaboration. Gone are the days when files were stuck on a single server. You can also flex the amount of software licences up and down as you need them, meaning you only pay for what you use on a monthly basis.
- Security
If you store your files on your laptop or phone, the loss of that device will also mean the loss of your files. Cloud computing offers greater security in these scenarios, allowing you to rest easy in the knowledge that no matter what happens to your hardware, files can be accessed and even wiped remotely to ensure that private information never ends up in the wrong hands.
- Disaster recovery
In a similar way to the security benefits of the cloud, disaster recovery is another reason why cloud computing is a good move for small businesses. If you still rely on local hardware to store business-critical data, and that hardware is damaged, you could be looking at a long – and expensive – road to recovery. Storing data in the cloud means that files are backed up as soon as they are changed and saved with minimal human input.
So, what’s not to love about cloud computing?
You can learn more about cloud technology, adopting a multi-cloud strategy and much more at intY CloudFest 2018. Taking place on September 19 and 20 at Celtic Manor Resort, Newport, intY CloudFest will combine exclusive training sessions and insightful talks with masterclasses and keynote sessions, giving attendees the opportunity to learn about emerging trends and technologies in the cloud industry. The event kicks off with a competitive round of golf at the Resort, which hosted the 2010 Ryder Cup, with teams made up of delegates, intY execs, and golfers from top cloud companies Microsoft, Symantec, Acronis & Comodo.
For more information and to secure your place at intY CloudFest 2018, go to: intycloudfest.com
