The question of whether your company’s solution should be in the cloud or not is incredibly important and should be evaluated with care. Over the years, technology experts have come to the conclusion that it really depends on a handful of key factors. Here’s just a few things to consider:

CLOUD COMPUTING CONS:

Security Concerns – – The main concern with cloud computing is having your data accessible on the web. Although security is tight and getting even more advanced as technology providers perfect the framework, it is still a concern. If you need to supervise and secure data on premises that is locally owned and/or controlled, then cloud computing may not work out.

Risk of Losing Internet Connection – You should ask yourself whether the risk of losing internet connection and therefore access to your database will greatly affect your workflow. It is a risk some companies are willing to take, but something to consider.

Limited Resources for Customizations – If you require in-depth customizations and integration with your current systems for your daily business functions, cloud computing may not be accommodating to your needs. However, as the technology becomes more sophisticated, this may not be as much of a concern

CLOUD COMPUTING PROS:

Affordable – Possibly the number one reason companies are excited about cloud computing is the affordability. With cloud computing, you can pay for only what you use and ultimately reduce operational costs and capital expenditures on hardware, software licenses, and implementation services.

Scalable and Flexible- With cloud computing you can maximize resources for better efficiency and reduce unused capacity. You can also scale up or down to meet the changing demands of your business.

Efficiency- Cloud computing gives the benefit of shared hardware, automated processes, and familiar technologies. You and your employees can access the database from anywhere by using any PC, mobile device, or browser. It also reduces overall energy use and your physical footprint.

Is it time to consider the risks/rewards of cloud computing?