More and more businesses are jumping on the cloud bandwagon. Think of your favorite website for watching videos. Netflix or Amazon’s streaming services are examples of companies that are taking advantage of cloud storage technology. There are literally thousands of video files available for accessing on these sites. To free up a lot of space on their servers, these and other companies use cloud storage on remote servers.

It’s 2015, and by now, everyone has heard of “the cloud” terminology and its uses, like the example above. In this post, we present some timely facts about the cloud that every business should know and use. 

Overview and Cloud Facts

As a review, the 'cloud' is a virtual storage place for your data and files. Cloud storage allows for file saving on remote servers, which means the actual files are not directly saved on your server, but on one created by the cloud system. This, in turn, saves a lot of space and can add a level of security for your valuable information. 

As businesses are realizing how important cloud storage is becoming, they need to sort out the issues and evaluate their needs and options for data management. Here is a list of 10 cloud facts your business should understand and consider for your data protection and management plan.

10 Cloud Facts for 2015

1. 94% of managers say their business security improved after adopting cloud applications.
2. 80% of cloud adopters believe that it helps the organization reduce IT costs. 
3. By 2016, 36% of all data is expected to be stored in the cloud. 
4. 52% of companies storing data in the cloud report increased data efficiency and utilization.
5. The leading driver for cloud adoption is a need for 'business agility' with 55.2% of businesses indicating this is the reason for moving data to the cloud.
6. Projected spending on cloud computing in 2015 is $183 billion.
7. Cloud computing enables smaller businesses to compete with larger companies by removing obstacles associated with more expensive server tools and technologies.
8. A new server is added to the cloud for every 120 tablets or 600 smartphones. 
9. Cloud computing generates new job opportunities — Approximately 14 million jobs will be cloud-related in 2015.
10. Top reasons companies are choosing cloud computing include: Reduced IT costs, Flexibility and Security.

The cloud storage system is practically used in business for “any service that allows you to see information that you yourself do not have saved. Without cloud storage, our devices would be cluttered,” (Alot Living Team)

Business Considerations

One you have considered using the cloud for your business, you need to become educated about your unique business needs and consult an expert, either internally or outside your company. The solution you choose will depend on the value of your data to the business and your company's view of its IT needs.  The following factors should be a part of your strategy to make sure you get all the benefits of your cloud service:   

• Speed
• Security
• Cost
• Reliability
• Storage Capacity.

A Smart Data Strategy

When you move to a cloud-based system, your first priority is to simplify and streamline your systems. You also want a cloud system that will be easy to manage, and, if you choose to work with an IT services provider, you'll want to work with a good support team that will be available every step of the way. Although there are doubts that anything can be 100% secure and safe, the cloud is a step towards making it a reality.

To learn more about cloud technology, check out our helpful e-book below and find out how to improve your business operations and data management. 

Image credit: cloud