Benefits of Cloud Computing
Cloud computing delivers computing power and storage along with practically limitless scalability and elasticity. Generally, clients do not own the physical infrastructure — they leverage the efficiency and economies of scale of the cloud provider to build and deploy IT services faster and cheaper than ever before.
One of the obvious benefits is reduced acquisition and deployment costs. Cloud computing is seen as a viable way to reduce capital expenditures and operational costs, freeing up resources that can be diverted to achieving core missions and objectives. As such, cloud computing has been compared to a utility, in which organizations pay for IT services based upon what they use.
Paying for service on demand also allows organizations to efficiently ramp up and power down based on current needs, and provides greater flexibility to introduce new IT services. Cloud computing fosters business innovation by enabling organizations to take on tasks or services that might be cost-prohibitive if onsite hardware and software purchases were required.
The cloud also improves IT staff productivity, shifting the focus from infrastructure implementations onto the services and capabilities that can be achieved. The time and money being spent on server administration can be better used to promote initiatives that drive the organization forward.
As with any new technology, cloud computing is not without risks and challenges. Application integration and security are the concerns most frequently cited by organizations exploring cloud adoption. A cloud integration partner can help organizations define requirements, plan for data migration and execute a clear strategy that will deliver on the benefits of cloud computing.
