Cloud Computing FAQ: Essential Answers for Your Business

With the growing amount of information that is managed electronically, the cloud has become indispensable in our use of software and data, and throughout our daily business lives. So, what exactly is cloud computing, and why is it so important? Here, we answer your most frequently asked questions about the cloud.

What does the term “cloud” mean and how does it work?

Cloud (computing) means data and applications are stored on remote servers located in data centres, and are accessed by users over the internet, rather than locally through a hard drive or a local network server. Cloud allows small- and medium-sized businesses to access their data and applications securely on demand, without having to invest in their own hardware and software. We partner with many trusted cloud service providers such as Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services, and IBM to provide cloud solutions to our customers.

Need to introduce your team to cloud computing? Learn more about the basics.

What are the benefits of using cloud computing?

Some of the biggest benefits of cloud enterprise resource planning (ERP) include security and data protection, cost savings, always up-to-date software, improved scalability, and increased accessibility and agility

• Cost optimisation: Cloud providers typically offer pay-as-you-go pricing, which means that SMBs only pay for the resources they use. This can be a major savings over traditional on-premises IT infrastructure, where businesses have to purchase and maintain hardware and software upfront, regardless of how much they use them. A cloud-based solution also requires fewer (if any) personnel to maintain. A customer’s IT staff can be freed up from daily server maintenance and auditing for software compliance to perform more business-critical tasks.
• Security and data protection: We partner with many trusted cloud providers such as Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services, and IBM who invest heavily in securing their systems, so customers enjoy economies of scale. Layered data storage and redundancy allow data to be saved to multiple storage areas across geographic locations to ensure data access and accuracy, should a server fail. Because data is remotely stored, it is safe from disasters that might strike a business. For UK businesses this is essential, as cybercrime is estimated to cost the economy £27 billion a year. As this number is only going to grow, our team of cloud experts focuses 24/7 on staying on top of the latest security threats, technologies, and best practices.
• Always up-to-date software: With a cloud-based solution, the software vendor handles all software updates and upgrades which are done automatically in the background. This means no more worries about having to manually manage updates which can deliver significant cost savings and efficiencies.
• Improved scalability: Cloud providers offer a high degree of scalability, which means that SMBs can easily add or remove resources as needed. This can help SMBs to save money by only paying for the resources they need, and by avoiding the need to over spend on their IT infrastructure.
• Increased accessibility and agility: The cloud enables you to access your data and applications remotely from anywhere, anytime, 24/7. A cloud-based system is automatically updated in real-time which improves business planning, accelerates decision-making, and improves response to customers’ needs.

What are the different types of cloud computing models?

Cloud computing offers three service models: Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS). IaaS provides users with virtualised infrastructure resources, PaaS provides a platform for developing, deploying, and managing applications, and SaaS provides complete software applications that users can access over the internet.

Interested in this topic? Learn more about the differences in types of cloud services.

How do I choose the right cloud service provider for my business?

Depending on the type of cloud service you are considering, investigate the various types of software available to your company and the associated features that you need, as well as the total costs of implementing the software and service. Also consider cloud computing models, security features, performance and availability, scalability of features as you grow, integration with your existing technologies, and vendor support services.

How can I ensure the security of my data in the cloud?

Start by choosing a reputable cloud service provider that offers robust security measures, such as data encryption, access control, network security, patch control, and data backup. Educate your employees on security best practices and provide them with training on how to handle sensitive information and avoid common security threats, such as phishing attacks and malware infections.

What happens if the internet goes down? How will I run my business then?

There are a number of easy, inexpensive solutions to avoid lost access to cloud applications in the event of an internet outage. For customers with unstable or unreliable internet, we recommend a cellular wireless access point or a router that fails over to cellular wireless automatically if the hard-line goes down. Another option, if you have very unstable internet is to obtain a secondary provider.

What are some common challenges associated with cloud migration?

Security: Organisations need to ensure that their data is secure during transit, storage, and use, and that access to cloud resources is properly authenticated and authorised.

Data integration: Ensuring data consistency, data quality, and data synchronisation can be difficult, especially when moving large volumes of data to the cloud.

Performance: Network latency, bandwidth, and other factors can impact performance, and organisations need to have the appropriate infrastructure to support their cloud applications.

Compliance: Organisations need to ensure that their provider is compliant with relevant regulations and has the necessary controls in place to meet their compliance requirements.

Staffing and training: Choose a provider that offers training and/or resources for your staff to use the cloud tools.

How do cloud computing costs compare to on-premise IT costs?

Cloud computing costs can vary depending on the cloud service provider and the specific services used. Generally, cloud computing offers a pay-as-you-go pricing model, which can provide cost savings compared to on-premise IT costs that require significant upfront capital expenditures. Cloud computing also offers the ability to scale resources up or down based on demand, providing flexibility and cost savings.

Can I customise my cloud environment to meet my specific business needs?

Cloud service providers offer a variety of services and tools that allow you to tailor your cloud environment to meet your unique requirements. For example, you can choose the types of cloud computing model, services, and software you need and have the service provider configure them to your specific business needs. You can also customise your network architecture, security settings, and access controls to meet your specific security needs. Additionally, many cloud service providers offer APIs and development tools that allow you to build custom applications and integrations that extend the functionality of your cloud environment.

How can I ensure high availability and reliability of my applications in the cloud?

Choose a reputable cloud service provider with a demonstrable record of uptime and reliability and make sure that there is a testing period so that you can verify availability and reliability before making significant investments.

What does ECI do to ensure my business’s security in the cloud?

At ECI, we offer cloud-based solutions that help small- and medium-sized businesses maintain data security best practices. We use encryption and strong firewalls to ensure the highest level of protection as well as advanced cybersecurity techniques such as continuous monitoring for detecting and stopping unauthorised access. This means that only authorised users can access their data through highly secure identity and access management. Your data is kept safely in a remote location, automatically backed up, and can be quickly recovered if something like a natural disaster, fire, or theft occurs.

The cloud is part of a larger trend that is radically shaping your industry. Learn more about digital transformation!

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