The IT industry is one of the most critical professions in the world. In the U.S. alone, there are more than 700,000 IT computer support specialists, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. These professionals work on hardware, software, and network issues, and also offer IT support services that help with email protection, and malware and spyware problems.
For any company, IT support companies can save it from costly downtime, and major server crashes. But businesses can gain even greater security from turning to cloud computing. This utilizes the internet to host data and information, rather than rely on a physical storage source, such as a server.
Here a few of the benefits of cloud computing.
- Easy Access. When a company relies on a server to host information, it is hard for anyone else to access necessary data. One Forrester Consulting study shows that on a monthly basis, approximately three quarters of knowledge workers collaborate with other employees in various time zones. If a document can only be shared via email, only one person at a time can view it or make changes, making it inconvenient. When a document is shared on the cloud, anyone can access it at any time without restrictions on the number of viewers, much like Google Docs.
- Eco-Friendly. When you have a server room, your carbon footprint is sure to be much higher than a company that utilizes cloud computing. One report reveals that companies can consume 30% less energy and reduce carbon emissions by using cloud storage. For smaller businesses, the savings will be even greater.
- Increased Productivity. With the cloud, employees can pull any document needed to perform their daily tasks, making it a faster way to retrieve information. For example, if a client is looking for a particular set of protocols, or needs an updated profile of the company, an employee can simply search on the cloud to find the information almost instantaneously. In addition, a worker can be anywhere and have the same access, and does not have to be confined to an office computer, thereby boosting productivity.
It is still smart to invest in IT support even with cloud computing, because companies can always benefit from extra email protection, emergency data recovery, and defense against the dark arts of hackers. But there is no doubt the cloud is the future of technology.