Challenging 6 common cloud misperceptions

Challenging 6 common cloud misperceptions

The cloud isn’t new, but there are still may misperceptions about it. Simply put, cloud computing means saving and using your company’s files and data online instead of on your computer’s hard drive. However, the cloud is so much more than storage.

Cloud platforms are customizable, scalable and flexible, which means they can adapt to your enterprise’s needs as your needs evolve and change. Plus, upgrades to programs many of your employees use daily are automatically updated in the cloud, so there’s less buying new programs every few years to keep up.

Yet, even with all of its advantages, cloud computing often has a negative perception. To some, the change seems daunting and frivolous. The cloud itself feels unreachable, and many people like to be able to touch their hard drives, backup drives and flash drives. There’s nothing wrong with that, but it’s important to know the truth about the cloud before deciding not to use it. Here are 6 common misperceptions about the cloud and why they’re wrong:

1. The cloud is all or nothing. The cloud is customizable and expandable far more than a computer’s hard drive. However, if it’s more conducive to have some of your company’s programs and data on hard drives, then that’s okay. The cloud doesn’t have to be used to store your entire company’s data and programs. Whatever needs to be accessed in different locations or by multiple employees can be stored in the cloud. This speeds up the sharing time for documents and data because all of your employees already have access. Think about how many fewer emails you will receive!
2. Migrating to the cloud is a hassle. Change is always difficult, but after migrating to the cloud, programs and applications don’t need in-house upgrades because everything is done in the cloud. As for the actual migration, difficulty level of the migration varies according to the amount of data and servers, the time it takes to update legacy systems and more. The key is to have a cloud consultant, like from Confiance, help your organization create a cloud strategy and time frame, which includes future growth expectations and plans.
3. The cloud can’t store all of my data. Many people believe that one cloud will make or break their experience with cloud computing, but most companies utilize the multi-cloud approach where they use two or more clouds to store their data, programs and applications. Different cloud computing services – whether public, private or hybrid – have varying strengths, but they all have more storage “room” than a typical hard drive. Confiance can help you choose the best vendors for your organization.
4. The cloud is too expensive. While every business is different in cloud computing needs and expenses, most businesses spend less over time after migrating to the cloud. Any up front investment may seem expensive, including the cloud, but that’s exactly what it is – an investment. With any investment, there is money and risk involved. The good news is, if you’re still on the fence concerning cloud computing, many of the bugs have already been worked out over the past few years, so you will be investing in a premium product. Plus, you can’t put a price on reliability and constant improvements.
5. The cloud isn’t safe. Cloud vendors have teams of people who constantly monitor your data, keeping it safe. Plus, they have 24/7 surveillance and many have guards. While no system is perfect, these teams are added security to your in-house IT department. Plus, cloud platforms use virtualization technology that keeps different user’s data separate and secure, preventing security breaches. If you want an added layer of security, choose a private cloud computing service because only one organization can access its content.
6. It take years to migrate an enterprise’s data to the cloud. Migrating data does take time, especially if legacy applications need to be updated or files need to be reformatted and modernized, but this time element would occur with any upgrade, especially if it’s been a while since you have upgraded your drivers. Confiance cloud solutions help enterprises scale and utilize the benefits of cloud computing in weeks, not years.

The cloud doesn’t have to be intimidating. If you still have concerns about the cloud or want to learn more about Confiance’s cloud solutions, visit this link.