by
Anna Morelock
The global preference for cloud computing is clear, with Gartner projecting a 21.7% surge in cloud service adoption from 2022 to 2023.
But before going all in with a cloud computing solution, company leaders must ensure it makes financial and practical sense. In other words, they need to engineer a plan on how to use cloud computing to maximize its benefits and reduce costs.
Here’s our take on how you can start using the cloud to save money and increase efficiency now.
How to Use Cloud Computing: Examples and benefits
#1. Save on Hardware
It seems like technology is evolving at a breakneck speed. Many businesses find themselves making new hardware investments, just to switch gears a couple of years down the line.
With cloud computing, you can upgrade your digital infrastructure without buying expensive new equipment.
For instance, you can buy thin clients, which are relatively inexpensive and provide all the access you need to your cloud resources. With a thin client, you rely on your cloud computing infrastructure to run the programs you use, and the thin client simply serves as an access and operational portal.
Not only does this mean that you can enable core operations with far less expensive hardware, but you also save when it comes time to upgrade.
If you need faster processing or have to store more data, you can have your cloud engineer dial this up for you. There’s no need to buy new computers with faster processors or bigger hard drives. Your thin clients are more than enough.
#2. Automate Your Virtual Machine Environment
By automating how you use virtual machines (VMs), you ensure you get the most out of your cloud infrastructure without having to overinvest.
A virtual machine performs computing functions using software components instead of hardware. You can deploy them to handle a wide range of tasks using only the VMs you need.
In a cloud environment, you can set up a system that automatically chooses the best virtual machines for specific processes. You don’t end up overspending on computing resources to run VMs you’re not using.
Let’s say you run the digital infrastructure for a manufacturing company. The company has four facilities it uses, depending on how many products customers need. To increase production efficiency, you deploy virtual machines that replicate the production floor of each facility. Each production floor gets its own VM. You can set up a system that automatically shuts down a facility’s virtual machine if it won’t be used due to lower order volume.
With this solution in place, you don’t spend money running VMs you’re not using. You also don’t have to keep checking to see whether you’re wasting money in the cloud running VMs. This frees up valuable time, enabling you to focus on other important tasks.
#3. More Efficient, Less Expensive Data Storage
In a traditional data storage setup, you may maintain an expensive server on-premises. If you upgrade the server or something goes wrong, you’re stuck footing that bill on your own. With cloud computing, your provider can upgrade your data storage as you need, and you only pay for what you use.
And if there’s ever a problem in the data center with your storage solution, the cloud provider handles the repairs.
In addition, your cloud solution can automate how it stores data and make it available for use. For instance, suppose you’re a data engineer launching a new web app that gives customers access to your entire catalog of products. It also keeps track of the items customers like most and their buying habits.
Your cloud computing solution can automatically increase your data storage capabilities as new customers start using your app. This means you don’t have to worry about estimating the amount of storage you need per customer. Best of all, your customers can continue using the app without any distracting hang-ups or latency.
Establish Your Cloud Infrastructure Now
The cloud is more than a place to store your data. It’s a dynamic approach to computing that can increase organizational efficiency all while reducing costs. But to make the cloud work for you, you need more than access to tech. You need an professionals services partner like Evergreen to implement, optimize, and run that tech at your business.
With Evergreen, you get access to cloud computing professionals who can customize your cloud implementation for your needs. Plus, we offer expertise at your needed level of engagement. We can:
- Advise, assess, and plan your cloud transformation via our cloud consulting services
- Architect, build, and migrate workloads to the cloud for you
- Fully manage your cloud operations and find efficiencies
It’s up to you. Get in touch with us today.
by Christian Moore
by Patrick Glynn
