Cloud computing is the new face of IT infrastructure and data storage. The easiest, most accessible and cheapest source of data storage and digital backup is here and promises a bright future to small and large scale businesses alike. If you have also heard about cloud computing and you wish to shift to the cloud, here are a few points and tips that will be helpful in making up your mind.

1. Know the benefits of cloud- Cloud computing can be a great way to virtualization of all your content. Cloud is accessible is on a number of devices and you can access your data anywhere in the world. Moreover, scalability is great and small and medium business owners finally have a great way to move to enterprise level IT infrastructure.

2. Know your cloud needs- Cloud also comes with a lot of apps that you may use. However, when you are making the move, don’t make it sudden but slow. Compare various service providers and applications, choose the one which suits your needs best and then take a step forward. You don’t need to buy an app just because it worked for a similar business. Be very careful and enjoy the customized approach of cloud. 

3. Formulate a cloud strategy- You have to make a cloud strategy before you make the shift. You have spent your valuable capital on previous storage and backup options and it is equally important to manage the old system. Moreover, as the storage and IT needs of every business is different; you have to make sure that when you formulate your cloud strategy, you leave no stones unturned to make it as business friendly as possible.

4. Define what all you need- It is very important to choose cloud with care. However, cloud does not really come with any side effects, but you simply cannot take GBs of storage for a cost and not use it. You may use cloud for e-mail, CRM, MIS, content management and most importantly for file-sharing and collaboration. You may need a few or all of them, maybe even more. Just be specific.

5. Security essentials- Cloud computing must be opted only after you have sufficient security standards. Make sure your service provider and your own network abides by the Security Assertion Markup Language (SAML).  This will keep you data safe from malicious infiltrations. 

Be safe and be a part of an IT revolution.