By now, most companies know the benefits cloud storage can bring to their operations. Since data is stored virtually, that data is accessible anytime, anywhere, making it easy to do business on the go. Since cloud hosting eliminates the need for internal servers, new companies save on the initial costs of hardware, reducing the amount of start-up capital needed.
With a reduced need for physical equipment and tech support, established companies can save money with cloud storage as well, but, overall, medium to large businesses have been slower in their adoption of cloud technology. That slow adoption is speeding up, though, according to Forbes, and larger companies are expected to invest in cloud services in the coming years. Although some challenges to cloud storage still remain for large businesses, they’re based largely on concerns that when examined actually prove to be advantages.
It’s How it’s Always Been Done
To some extent, corporate culture’s habit of clinging to past ways is to blame for slow cloud adoption, but it may not entirely be based on a stubborn unwillingness to change. A company just starting out has a blank slate upon which to start building in the cloud. A company that’s been around for many years and has found success, however, has done so by creating an infrastructure of data storage and applications that work well for its operations.
Making changes to that successful infrastructure carries some risk for large corporations. Yet as cloud adoption increases, so does the number of companies that recognize the need for cloud services. That means many of those programs that an established business has been using now have cloud-based availability, giving companies the same utility, but better access.
Security
For most business leaders, security is (and should be) their top concern when it comes to the cloud, and since cloud hosting companies rely on security measures to retain their clients, it’s their top priority as well. Security measures are kept updated, patched and monitored, and data storage in the cloud is often more secure than on-site servers.
The technology industry isn’t just resting on its laurels either when it comes to security in the cloud. Continued efforts in the field are bringing about new security technologies that have the potential to make the cloud more secure.
Complete Control
Other challenges to corporate adoption of the cloud include concerns about cloud storage services meeting industry standards and the loss of control over data. Since cloud services provide the most updated versions of a program, though, applications in the cloud always offer the best version of any given program, and company leaders always have the option of managing their own cloud servers remotely.
Despite reservations, large companies recognize cloud hosting is a growing IT solution, with nearly 70 percent of business leaders from major corporations acknowledging that cloud technology is “extremely important” or “very important” to their companies. Regardless of how it’s always been done, even the big players seem to realize the cloud is the path of the future.
