Let’s begin with the obvious.
Cloud services are practically a given regardless of your industry, company size, location or business goals. Just a few years ago, plenty of business leaders were still leery of the cloud.
We’ve definitely moved beyond that. Now the question is which cloud service to use.
And that is a serious question with some serious implications.
You have to have infrastructure. Period.
While there are all kinds of advantages to working in the cloud—several of them are listed below—the fundamental reason why business is shifting to the cloud is fairly straight-forward. You have to have infrastructure.
Your data has to reside somewhere. You need a platform for business applications, even if the most complex thing you use is email. And if you’re not backing your data up, you’re just asking for issues the first time you have to deal with a disaster or a data breach.
The more your business grows, the greater your infrastructure needs will be, but even if you’re only a startup, you still have needs. Hands down, the best options available are cloud-based, and our top recommendation for cloud services is Amazon Workspaces (AWS).
“Spending is shifting from areas like mobile phones, PCs, and on-premises data center infrastructure to cloud services and Internet of Things (IoT) devices . . .”
6 ways AWS works for SMBs
Especially for small businesses, AWS provides the perfect blend of sophisticated, strategic tools at an affordable price.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the compelling reasons why AWS is an especially good fit for SMBs.
1. Quick deployment
AWS can be configured and deployed in little to no time. There’s no hardware to set-up and no complex implementation process. Decide on a plan, adjust a few settings, and you’re off.
In contrast, a traditional onsite server requires extensive set-up and configuration, a controlled, secure environment, and physical security. And if you need additional space, that’s the complete installation of another whole server.
Or… you can opt for AWS, which can be deployed in minutes.
2. Reduce upfront costs without sacrificing functionality
Small business leaders are always looking for ways to cut costs, and AWS makes that much easier.
Amazon offers a variety of pricing models that take advantage of the agile nature of the cloud. In fact, you even have the option of Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (Amazon EC2) plans that allows you to pair a fixed rate for guaranteed space with a variable rate for on-demand space.
Additionally, Amazon’s Spot Instance plans allow you to lower your costs for computing tasks that aren’t time sensitive or that can be interrupted without negative effect. And, the more server space you need, the more you save.
The only challenge lies in finding the right plan for your business. For that, we strongly recommend partnering with an AWS partner who can analyze your business needs and guide you through the process of choosing and maintaining your plan.
“Companies are increasingly finding business agility or cost savings by renting software through vendors such as Amazon Web Services (AWS) . . .”
3. Be agile and scalable
One of the huge advantages of the cloud, itself, is the scalability that comes with it. Prior to cloud services, there was simply no way for small businesses to match the raw computing power of enterprise-level organizations. But the cloud has leveled the playing field, making the same resources available to everyone.
Amazon has taken that even further with a wide variety of pricing models, on-demand resource management and smart management tools, like Cost Aware Architecting, to empower SMBs at an unprecedented level.
Additionally, AWS gives small business users some powerful tools, like AWS ElastiCache, a service that utilizes a cloud-based cache that makes it easier to deploy new services or scale existing services.
4. Work from wherever
AWS is perfect for small business leaders on the go because it combines the best available cloud options with the ability to stay connected and productive no matter where you are.
Whether you’ve got a meeting across town or on the other side of the country, you can still access your applications and data when you’re working with AWS.
Not only that, but the workforce at large is increasingly invested in the idea of working remotely. SMB leaders can lower their overhead without losing productivity by harnessing the power of AWS.
5. Host anything
AWS can be used to host applications, store data, run virtual machines or even manage e-commerce solutions. Whatever you need to support your business, AWS has you covered.
The advantage here is two-fold. First, you get an all-in-one solution. Instead of having to split your resources, budget, IT support and staff between multiple cloud-services, you can use AWS for everything.
And second, as your business grows and new opportunities pop up, you’re already prepped for additional functionality. Just adjust your current plan, add on the new space or service you need, and keep moving.
6. Cybersecurity you can count on
Finally, a core concern with any cloud service is cybersecurity. A single data breach can be devastating for your business, so it’s important to know the cloud provider you choose is backed by strong data protection.
AWS has a solid reputation for providing solutions that meet rigorous cybersecurity standards. You can count on AWS to keep your data safe.
“Amazon Web Services (AWS) runs a pretty tight ship where security is concerned. The organization, after all, holds critical business applications and information for some of the world’s largest banks, government entities, and streaming services such as Netflix and Spotify . . .”
When you’re ready to make the move
When you’re ready to move your business to AWS, the best way to facilitate the move is to partner with an AWS expert. While AWS services are impressive in and of themselves, you’re always going to get the most bang for your buck by making sure your plan perfectly matches your needs.
We strongly encourage you to reach out to an IT consultant who knows AWS. That’s the best way to ensure your business has the cloud-based infrastructure you need.