Imagine that a disaster has just struck your business. Maybe it is big like a tornado with your files blowing across the parking lot. Perhaps it is a small disaster – the marketing Admin accidentally deleted all the sales reports from last quarter. Either way, when everything is stored on a local server, the impact can be costly and stressful.
But, if your data is stored in the cloud, neither of these emergencies, or many other panic-inducing moments, have to impact your daily operations.
Moving your critical data to the cloud not only makes your business scalable and increases the rate of return for technology investments, but it can be a lifesaver when it comes to recovery plans (regardless of the level of disaster). Your data will be safe and sound, ready to work; just like the “normal” day before tragedy struck.
There are multiple reasons to consider the cloud:
1. Access from anywhere. So the parking lot at your building is a sheet of ice? Not to worry, you can still access the data you need from the coziness and safety of your own home. This is a great benefit for non-emergency situations too: forgetting files when you’re on the road, trying to work a little when on vacation, or even just being out on a sales call.
2. Reliable back up and restoration of data. The cloud makes it easy to back up your work and restore it in times of emergency. But, this also can be great for disasters that have nothing to do with Mother Nature. Like a disgruntled tech support guy decides to wreak havoc on the way out the door, or a careless electrician turns off the power to the closet where the servers are. With your data in the cloud, regularly scheduled backups and straight forward data restoration give you peace of mind.
3. You can get back to business. The last thing you want to do after a disaster is rebuild your system AND get all your historical data back into it. Sometimes, you’ll be fixing physical assets, and still trying to take care of your customers, because now is the time you need the revenue the most. Having your data in the cloud will help you to check “data management” off your post-disaster to-do list and let you get back to normal. On non-disaster days, the cloud enables your data to be safe and scalable, so that your tech team can focus on other needs, keeping headcounts down and productivity up.
Obviously, there is a lot to consider when making any kind of technology change. But, when it comes to the disaster recovery cost / benefit analysis of moving data to the cloud, there is more than just finances and time on the scales. The cloud allows you to focus on your business, not your software. And you can get move forward knowing that your information can continue to work for you, no matter what tomorrow holds.