Is using Cloud services the way to go for local businesses?
CLOUD computing is one of the latest buzzwords being thrown about these days. You can hardly go five minutes without hearing the term come up in conversation or discussions. This is hardly surprising considering the advantages associated with it. However, before we go in depth with the benefits and how you can maximise it for your business, let’s explain what it is.
Simply put, Cloud computing is computing that is based on the internet. In the past individuals and businesses would run programs and applications downloaded on a computer for example Microsoft office.
Cloud computing on the other hand allows the same access however, without actually downloading the software and applications on the computer but through the internet.
When you use google drive as your storage or when your email is hosted on the internet, you are in the cloud again.
But why should you move your business to the cloud?
1.Work from anywhere
In a dynamic world we live in these days, it’s a huge advantage if your employees are able to work on the go or from anywhere in the world. Business is so fast paced that a missed email may mean a missed business opportunity.
With cloud computing, all you need is a working internet connection and you are good to go.
2. Disaster recovery
Murphy’s Law says anything that can, could have, or will go wrong, usually goes wrong. When disaster strikes for your company, computers crash or get stolen, how will you recover your data.
With Cloud computing you don’t have to worry as you your data will be backed up in the cloud.
Traditional disaster are costly as they require replicating similar IT infrastructure at a remote site as compared to using cloud services that are readily available.
3. Cost savings
The most noteworthy cloud computing benefit is the saving realised in IT infrastructure.
Cloud computing helps organisations keep operational expenses to a minimum as you do not need in-house server infrastructure and application requirements.
What Cloud Computing Services does ZOL Zimbabwe provide?
Office 365
ZOL Zimbabwe is now offering Office 365 among other Microsoft Cloud Services. Office 365 allows for greater agility, flexibility and as well as security to grow your business.
Under the Office 365 package a business can have access to office applications, Microsoft Excel, Powerpoint, Word etc, online file storage and sharing, email services among a suite of other services.
ESET for business
ZOL-ESET is a cloud based service that protects your machines from all types of viruses, ransomware, rookits, worms and spyware. It also protects your devices against techniques that seek to evade detection, and blocks targeted attacks and exploits.
Crash Plan for Africa
Crash Plan for Africa is a data back up and protection service offered by ZOL that allows you to secure and access all your data anytime, anywhere and from any device.
It automatically backs up every version of every file on every device forever. This is different to the usual cloud based backup systems such as Google Drive or DropBox which just save the latest file.
In addition, you can even back up your data on Crash Plan for Africa even on a zero balance as it is whitelisted for ZOL customers using fibre.