Cloud computing has proved to be beneficial for businesses of all sizes and especially SMBs that have been able to access high-end technology and services without having to directly pay the cost of buying and maintaining equipment.
Cloud computing implementation, in fact, has allowed businesses to cut their IT budget by outsourcing not only the maintenance and support for their IT infrastructure, but the equipment itself: companies need not to worry about purchasing equipment to keep on site, update hardware as it gets outdated and upgrade or downgrade as needs change.
All a business needs to worry about is paying the monthly subscription to the provider and spend some time researching the different options that the market offers. Businesses need to assess their needs and shop for the provider that offers the needed services and support at the best price. Things to consider are the scalability the provider affords, the level of security and support provided as well as the advanced features that it offers.
Cloud computing is especially beneficial when a business has remote workers either on-the-go through mobile devices or in satellite offices. Sharing resources, in fact, is a lot easier when info and documents are available in the cloud.
Cloud computing however is not for every businesses. The system does carry inherent risks that a business must evaluate with attention before deciding on the implementation.
The first risk that needs to be evaluated is that of security. This is normally the first concern for businesses planning a cloud computing implementation.
Opting for the services of a provider, means, normally, relinquishing some control over sensitive data. A business needs to gather information on where the data and information will be stored and how they will be transmitted. If privacy and confidentiality are paramount, the company might want to consider alternative options like, for example, hybrid clouds, where only certain business functions are outsourced and data are stored and treated on site.
It is especially important to consider any legal implication with using an external provider if handling data or providing business operations that must be compliant with established policies or that must meet contractual obligations.
Cloud computing also means not having much control over the quality of the system used. This is why it is extremely important that much research is done prior to the implementation phase to find a reputable provider that can guarantee high standards of a service as well as availability.
Constant availability of services, in fact, is a major requirement for any business. When contracting a service provider, a business must carefully evaluate the impact of an outage on its operations. Can it afford to have no access to data or services in case of an outage? Once again, it is important to ask providers about their contingency plans in case disaster strikes and what are their backup options for data.
Another risk of cloud computing regards the performance of the system. Not having direct control over the equipment used also means having to trust that the provider will provide quality services and will promptly address any problems and disruption. Furthermore, 24/7 customer and technical services as well as clarity on the contractual levels of performance are features any business should consider when outsourcing their IT.
In addition, there are those risks related to the compatibility of the new system with the business’ existing infrastructure or policies. Before signing up with any providers, a company must spend some time researching possible issues as well as performing a cost analysis to compare the cost of leasing the technology with the expense of owning the equipment.
In sum, there are many advantages associated with the implementation of cloud computing for SMBs, but this new technology also carries risks that can potentially do more harm to a business than good. To mitigate risks and avoid future costly problems, a business must carefully plan all aspects of the switch and consider all available options with knowledgeable consultants.