What Are the Top Benefits of Cloud Computing?

by

Lee Antony Price

There is a range of different benefits to cloud computing that businesses the world over are talking about already. The cloud offers savings in costs, flexibility and speed to market, however there are plenty of other benefits that aren\’t so easily noticeable.

Such benefits are the ones that forward thinking businesses are thinking about and they will be integral to the long-term success of utilising the cloud for your business. Specifically these businesses are looking into how cloud computing will change the face of their operations and how they can utilise these changes to the maximum advantage.

The main characteristics of the cloud that these companies are looking to take advantage of are;

-Little to no capital investment – This may seem like the most basic benefit but it is also perhaps the most important. The cloud, by its very nature, reduces what was previously the massive cost of maintaining and integrating a range of different services. This should sound great right off the bat but what it also means is that smaller businesses that may not previously have had the resources to invest in such services are now able to run an integrated package of products without having to fork out for it.

-Variable Pricing – A range if companies will offer services over the cloud, as it enables them to host their products and provide them quickly and easily. This means that other companies will be able to take advantage of fully customised services that would otherwise have not been available to them, allowing for variable price rates.

-Rapid acquisition and deployment – Because the cloud allows for the use of software over a web connection, there is no need to spend an eternity manually installing what you use over a wide array of systems. Simply access the software via the cloud and deployment times are cut down to a fraction of what they once were.

-Infinitely scalable – The very nature of the cloud means that you are only limited by your own needs. With no physical limitations your services can be scalable dependant entirely on your needs, meaning you will always be ready and capable for expansion.

-Lower ongoing operating costs – This one ties into the lack of a need for capital investment, as maintenance costs will often be handled by whichever company is offering their service over the cloud, meaning that you don\’t need to worry about the costs of operating a system that is hosted by somebody else. Instead, businesses are able to take advantage of services without having to worry about all of the additional costs.

Companies that offer their services across the cloud are able to integrate them seamlessly, meaning that they can offer other businesses applications that would otherwise have cost much in time and money to integrate.

Cloud solutions can offset costs and time constraints, with communications companies especially being able to offer VoIP services and the like over the cloud. So if a business is looking to expand in the near future, proper utilisation of services offered over the cloud will be instrumental in ensuring the future scalability of the business.

This is especially prevalent when it comes to VoIP communications services, as previously mentioned. The very nature of VoIP means that a service hosted by the telecoms company and offered over the net is the perfect match for many a client that would rather not have to invest in a full system for themselves. The cloud allows for such services to be offered, reducing costs for customers whilst also ensuring that they gain a top quality service. Additionally, as previously mentioned, no maintenance will be required for SIP Trunks or the telephone lines themselves as the VoIP service provider will work around the clock to ensure that the service remains usable.

The cloud is set to be the biggest revolution in the way businesses operate online in a number of years. Companies should be looking into how they can take advantage of it now, to ensure that they are ahead of the curve once it becomes the standard.

Visit www.air21group.co.uk for more information.

Article Source:

ArticleRich.com

Submitted by: Brickwork Sourcing India

Canada which ranks among the top five countries in the production of 14 major minerals and metals has lately been seeing a slowdown of sorts after the commodity market hit a brick wall. The disturbing trend was a cause of alarm for some time, but now there are signs of a slow recovery emerging. Canada’s mining industry seems to be on the right path to continued prosperity despite the current market volatility. The decade-old commodity market had begun to lose steam and with Canada being an economy where commodities drive 20% of the GDP, it seemed to stall for a bit. The slow recovery has begun to create new hope. With this recovery the metals and mining scene looks to emerge stronger and Canadian mining companies have already begun to invest millions annually in research and development as well as exploration.

The mining scene in Canada is going through various changes and there are various factors which could play a major role in diminishing its future success. Some important factors influencing the metals and mining industry in Canada include shortage of skilled workers, increasing social demands for environmental protection, and a downturn in world demand stemming from political instability. Canadas mining community has deep ties with Australias mining sector which is heavily exposed to Chinese demand, with leading miners postponing investment plans and shuttering projects, there is bound to be an effect on Canada as well. China being the biggest consumer of metals mandates good trade relations with Canada for sustained investments and infrastructure growth in Canadas metals and mining sector.

The Mining Association of Canada (MAC) estimates that there is bound to be about US$140 billion in new mining investments in Canada over the next five to ten years. The British Columbia region being Canadas minerals gateway for key Asian markets is expected to see more than US$30 billion in investment over the next ten years.

The main growth driver in the Canadian mining sector is increased influx of investments and demand from countries such as China which is one of the biggest consumers. The metals and mining industry in Canada is mainly driven by the debt market which offered mining companies extremely attractive terms in 2012 and they responded by issuing a staggering amount of it. According to Financial Post data, Canadian miners have sold US$15.6 billion of debt in 2012. That compares with US$9.4 billion in 2011 and just US$5.5 billion in 2010. The article illustrates how the need for global sourcing multiplies for Canadian mining companies.

Opportunity awaits investors in Canadian mining companies that are looking for innovation to grow beyond the recent slowdown; this would throw open sourcing opportunities, which is an area of concern and an impediment to growth. Mining equipment and machinery being sourced from developing economies can offer cost arbitrage for the mining companies. A global sourcing approach is essential to this growth initiative. Brickwork Sourcing works with global metals and mining companies and has capabilities of providing end-to-end sourcing, vendor and supply chain management solutions.

About the Author: Brickwork is the pioneer of the Virtual Office business. We provide virtual support for businesses across the globe. Our well informed Remote Sourcing Analysts can provide support at any or all stages of your sourcing lifecycle. To know more about our company, please visit

brickworksourcing.com

Source:

isnare.com

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