Given that cybercrime is projected to be more prolific than ever before in 2020, it's essential that you take advantage of contemporary data solutions for your company. While cloud managed services provide plenty of security, they offer a notable amount of utility in other areas, as well. But, not everyone knows what to expect.
Not sure where to start? Don't worry, we’ve got you covered.
Let's take a look at everything you need to know.
Those who utilize managed cloud services have the benefit of receiving continuous support from the provider. This comes in multiple forms, such as the service provider continually monitoring their clients' performance, minimizing downtime, etc. This level of support is also included in the price you pay for managed services, so you often don’t need to worry about extending your budget for extra protection or convenience.
A byproduct of having ongoing support is an additional layer of security. Service providers have the newest hardware and software, which minimizes the risk of a database breach, extended downtime, or other issues that could negatively affect your company’s productivity. As previously mentioned, cybercrime is estimated to reach levels in 2020 that have never been seen before, So, this extra security is a major selling point in itself that's highly worth considering. You’ll also be able to back up your companies data to cloud-based archives, which will minimize your company's suffering if something happens to your hardware. For example, if a hard drive with sensitive data is lost, damaged, or stolen, you’ll be able to retrieve this information from the cloud.
Having your company’s crucial data stored and managed by a reputable provider will ensure that you always have safe, consistent access to your information. Under the right circumstances, you’ll even be able to complete work while you’re on vacation as long as you have the equipment to do so. This level of accessibility will also allow more of your employees to work remotely. As long as you have an established infrastructure for remote work, you can reduce your overhead costs by downsizing your space for your in-house team. As you may expect, you also have significant control over the permissions your employees have when it comes to accessing data.
Attempting to purchase and utilize the same amount of equipment and software that a managed service provider has access to will come at an exponentially greater cost to you. So, achieving this level of service is most economically obtained through a reputable provider. When it comes to costs, you’ll also find that many businesses that offer managed services have scalable plans. This means you’ll only pay for what you need, and you can easily add extra services as your company grows.
Providers also offer flat rates, which eliminates any uncertainty you may have with your budget. Having a fixed cost will ensure that you know exactly how much you can spend in other categories.
One of the most common reasons why people are reluctant to upgrade their technology is the fear that it will soon become outdated. Although they may have spent a significant amount of money at the time, the value and utility of their hardware may drop in a short period.
Intentionally circumventing this occurrence is known as 'future-proofing' and is sought after by business owners and traditional consumers alike.
By using managed services, the obligation to maintain sufficiently modern technology falls on the service provider instead of you. This will ensure that both your security and performance are always at the levels they should be.
Unfortunately, catastrophic occurrences are a part of life. Something like a flood, fire, or tornado could make it virtually impossible for your business to continue running.
This is often the result of hardware destruction, as companies without managed services are entirely responsible for their own servers and performance.
However, you’ll be able to access your company's data from the cloud as long as you have the means to do so in another location. It’s not uncommon for businesses to recover by having everyone work remotely until it’s possible to utilize a safe in-house location.
Businesses in certain industries need to maintain a level of compliance that’s regulated by the government when it comes to how they store and handle information.
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), for example, clearly outlines the requirements for maintaining patient confidentiality. Failure to do so can result in consequences like penalties, fines, etc. In extreme cases, the business that does not maintain proper compliance may not be able to legally operate.
As with many other obligations, your service provider will be responsible for maintaining a sufficient level of compliance with any relevant government regulations. In the event that this compliance is breached, you won’t be held liable unless your company was the one directly at fault.
Having the capability to forgo this concern will allow you to focus on other areas of your business's performance, resulting in both greater productivity and revenue over time.
