By this point, most of us know that the cloud does not refer to the fluffy nimbostratus, cumulus, and cumulonimbus structures in the sky. The cloud refers to the massive data accumulation stored in virtual centers around the world.
Many people think that only mid to large companies use the cloud. The reality is you use the cloud everytime you bring up Google Docs to write a document; you use it anytime you are working on an app or piece of software that updates and saves in real-time. Chances are, you’re using the cloud right now as you share music or files.
Cloud networks are essentially overtaking old legacy technologies and whether you’re a private entrepreneur or a small business owner, you should consider understanding the cloud better.
Cloud Technology Generates Better Data
The majority of top-notch organizations are using data insights gleaned from cloud technology. This affects virtually every industry, from parking management to farming.
In the former example, integrated smart technologies allow cities and parking management clients to use sensors and real-time metrics to better monitor their operations. Premier parking software systems now use cloud technology to manage everything from meters and payments to permits and parking enforcement.
We mentioned farming, which is a sector normally not thought of as high-tech. But the reality is, agriculture and farming are using cloud technology and smart devices just as much as any other industry. Farmers use smart sensors to collect data from their crops and they use the cloud to upload that data into a centralized database that they can access anywhere. Surprisingly enough, many of the tractors used on farms now are themselves connected to smart technology that interfaces with the cloud.
Cloud Tech Makes Everything Faster
As they say, time is money. Companies that are able to shave seconds or minutes off product and service pipelines thrive; companies that get stuck in the weeds of legacy technologies wither and fail.
Dell has produced data showing that companies which invest in cloud technology experience 53% faster revenue growth. This is a percentage that will probably grow even greater in the coming years.
According to Wired, a great example of cloud technology driving growth is Kuma Games, a 3-D immersive video game company that since 2007 has partnered with IBM’s cloud solutions to bolster and expedite their graphics and game output.
These statistics aren’t accidents. This is a consistent trend among leading companies this decade and it is expected to continue on into the 2020s. If you’re starting a company, you should heavily consider investing in a cloud platform for your operations.
The cloud pays back
This one is particularly relevant to startups and small business owners. Even if you’re just a one-person LLC, cloud technology is not outside your purview. There are measurable gains attributed to the cloud. Even better, you can scale up based on your own growth.
As we mentioned in the beginning, almost everyone who works professionally these days uses the cloud on a daily basis. Cloud technology is ubiquitous in the business world, just as it is in our daily lives.
The question is: are you going to harness its power for your advantage? Data is data. Without human interpretation, it means nothing. If you’re running a business, it makes sense to have cloud technology not only as a fail-safe data backup, but to streamline your overall processes.
Have you ever worked with a company that routinely sends you important information or products to the wrong address? Even though you know you’ve personally emailed them several times to make sure they know your correct address? Somehow, they still get it wrong.
This is because they have different departments who are not synced up on a shared database where information is updated in real-time. This is why the cloud is a superior technology.
