Everybody talks about the cloud. And whether you exactly understand what it is or not, you’ve probably been using it on a daily basis for a while. We’ll explain to you what the cloud and cloud computing are and how the cloud is used for data storage, data management, and document management.
What is the Cloud?
When you think of the cloud, do you have an image of a white puffy cloud in the sky? If so, you’re probably not alone. And while the cloud is almost as intangible as the clouds in the sky, it’s also just as real.
The cloud simply refers to software and services that run on the internet instead of on your computer. The software and services that use the cloud run on servers in the network that’s responsible for storing data.
One such cloud provider is Amazon Web Services (AWS). Amazon has servers located all over the country that provide the storage and computing power its clients need. Instagram and Pinterest and thousands of other companies use AWS to host traffic and data. So if you have used either of these services, then you have used the cloud.
What is Cloud Computing?
Cloud computing is internet-based computing where resources can be shared among many different businesses. Instead of providing your own hosting and computing power, your company can now share the resources via the cloud. Cloud computing is similar to having a large utility network or grid.
Scalability
One of the biggest advantages of cloud computing is scalability. It’s easy for businesses to use additional processing resources when they need to grow. It’s also easy to downgrade. Services like AWS even allow businesses to meet demands each day by charging for services used instead of setting maximum capacity levels.
Cost
Most companies are attracted to cloud computing because of the reduced cost. Instead of having to pay for server administration, they can now rely on the cloud to take care of it. And if a big company grows and gets more users or visitors, it’s easy to upgrade storage and server capacity through the cloud.
Companies also benefit by improved flexibility from using cloud computing. After all, your business can easily change directions without having to worry about serious financial issues. That’s because cloud computing price models are built on a pay-as-you-go basis.
Your Online Data in the Cloud
How does cloud computing affect you? Cloud computing is used everywhere. Many different companies are moving to the software-as-a-service (SaaS) pricing model instead of selling software downloads. This means you’ll be accessing a lot of programs through the internet, including Microsoft Word and Adobe. But cloud computing is not just used for programs; it’s even more important for data storage.
Whenever you upload a picture to social media, you’re using the cloud. When you upload your files using your electronic document management software (DMS), you’re using the cloud. But even if you don’t use the cloud, someone is still storing your information in the cloud. This could be a picture of you that someone shared on Facebook or your health insurance the medical provider saved in the cloud.
With the enormous amount of information that’s now accessible via the cloud, it’s no wonder that many people are wary of security breaches. The good news is that many cloud providers are taking security very seriously. All of the information that gets uploaded is now encrypted by trusted providers.
You should also know that your documents are more secure in the cloud than they are inside of your filing cabinet. While celebrities may be at risk for data theft just because of who they are, this doesn’t apply to every other person or company. Besides, the risk of theft is much greater when you’re dealing with physical documents locked inside of a flimsy filing cabinet than a secure, encrypted connection to the cloud.
Advantages of Using the Cloud
Using the cloud for your document management software has a lot of advantages. Here are a few of them:
- You can access your documents from anywhere.
- You can access your files quickly.
- You can share files easily.
- Your files are securely encrypted.
eFileCabinet and the Cloud
eFileCabinet uses cloud computing to help you efficiently sync files between your local computers and eFileCabinet Online. One of the best things about working in the cloud is that you can access your documents with our mobile apps. Whether you use a smartphone or a tablet, you can upload, view, and alter documents stored inside of the cloud. This offers your company a lot of much-needed flexibility.
When it comes to document management, it’s hard to beat the convenience of cloud computing. But don’t just take our word for it. Fill out the information on this page to start your free 15-minute demo. You can also give us a call or chat with us.