Member Article

Five ways the cloud could change your business

In 2014, cloud computing usage throughout the UK hit the mainstream, with nearly 78% of businesses embracing the technology, according to research published by the Cloud Industry Forum (CIF). One of the main advantages a cloud-based system can offer is the flexibility it can offer your business. Of course, there are many ways in which the technology can be embraced.

Here are five ways which the cloud can help to improve your business in 2015:

1. Back up your data

Data is essential to every business. When lost or corrupted, it can cause significant amounts of disruption to both your company and clients. Historically, most companies safeguarded against data loss by relying upon the trusty back-up tape which is better than nothing but far from ideal, especially if it simply lives in the server cabinet. This might be convenient for the member of staff tasked with backup duties, but it can make your business vulnerable, especially against natural disasters or theft. An increasingly popular alternative is a cloud-based back-up system which ensures your data will always be held securely off-site, meaning that should the worst happen, then your business can continue trading. If using a data centre to deliver this service, make sure the back-up is tested regularly.

2. Give your server a regular health check

If you are responsible for managing your own company server then it’s essential to undertake regular maintenance on it. If a server is not regularly maintained, over time, your IT systems will slow down or even fail altogether. This can often prove not only to be highly frustrating for members of staff trying to get on with their work, but can even impact upon the performance and, in worst cases, profitability of your business. Using a cloud-based server, you don’t need to worry about this, as most data centre providers will undertake this routine maintenance on your behalf.

3. Make sure your operating systems are up-to-date

If you are using an outdated operating system, then the chances are your business is vulnerable to malicious attacks. In 2014 Microsoft ended support for Windows XP and in 2015, Windows Server 2003 will no longer be supported, which is likely to have significant implications for businesses using older servers. In April 2014, the time when Windows XP support ended, an estimated 75% of businesses were still running the system: Such was the severity of the problem that the UK Government paid Microsoft £5.5 million to continue supporting the operating system. For small businesses this isn’t option. Unlike traditional servers, cloud-based operating systems will usually include access to the latest operating systems, ensuring that your business remains protected from potential security vulnerabilities in old and outdated software.

4. Use an SSL Certificate on your website

An SSL is a small data file which allows a secure connection to your website. Historically this was essential for any business buying and selling over the internet and used to protect credit card details. In 2014 Google announced having an SSL in place will be used as one of the factors in ranking your website positions in its search engines. Websites using SSL are denoted by appearing in your browser with the prefix: https://. Using an SSL certificate will not only help to keep visitors to your website safe, but it’s also good for your ranking position.

5. Protect your business against server failure…embrace the cloud!

A cloud server can help to improve the reliability of your IT systems. When a traditional server fails, it is impossible to access data held on it. As cloud systems use multiple servers, often stored in multiple locations, it means that should a problem arise, the tasks are simply transferred to another machine – meaning no impact on your business. There are many advantages to using a cloud system including improved reliability; information held on the servers to shared remotely – meaning if you are on the move, at home or in the office, you can access the files and information you need, when you need it through a secure channel… and even if a laptop or mobile device is lost or stolen, the data held on them is not compromised. Perhaps one of the greatest advantages is cost: A cloud server doesn’t require any expensive up-front investments in hardware and can evolve as your business needs change.

Rory Delahoyde is the managing director of HA Hosting, home of the Sheffield Data Centre.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by HA Hosting .