Sometimes it feels like a lot to ask for small businesses to invest in new technology, even if that technology is beneficial to their mission. There’s a better way to access the right hardware for the job, though, and it stems from the cloud. By moving some of your hardware to the cloud, you can save money and frustrations during implementation and operation, all while enjoying greater security.

Physical Hardware Can Hold You Back

Despite its value and price point, physical hardware like workstations and servers has its flaws. 

It will eventually break down, perhaps when you need it most, and it can be stolen or lost by negligent employees. Furthermore, it places a limitation on how and when your team gets work done. They might need to be connected to your network to access specific applications, and physical hardware can limit your talent pool to the local area or make it difficult for employees to work while traveling.

The real frustration is that three-year refresh best practice, plus the impact that has on your budget. Surely it would be better to invest in something more practical and predictable, right?

That’s where virtualization comes in.

The Cloud Solves Your Physical Hardware Problems

Both Microsoft and Google offer excellent cloud-based solutions (Azure and Google Cloud) that can host your operating systems, applications, and data storage in the provider’s data center. The provider is the one who ends up being responsible for the maintenance and management, so that burden is off your shoulders. Additionally, there are other key benefits to working with a cloud provider in this way.

Work Can Happen from Anywhere

Imagine being able to take your projects on the go, whether that’s traveling abroad or home while your kid is sick. The cloud allows you to keep making progress on the projects that matter most, all thanks to secure remote access that only the cloud provides. This includes your data, your applications, and yes, your desktop. You’re effectively working with the same computer, just using a different computer to access the resources.

Data Security is Tighter than Ever

What if you’re traveling for a conference and your laptop gets stolen? If this were your typical physical infrastructure-based laptop, this would be catastrophic. However, because you planned ahead and used a virtual desktop, the amount of data stolen is minimal. You’ll still want to train your team on this situation, but it’s good to know that virtualization can cover a lot of your security bases.

Expenses are More Manageable

In the past, most IT expenses would be considered capital expenses (one-off, pay-as-you-go costs), but business technology has shifted in favor of operational expenses (predictable, stable subscriptions). Wouldn’t you like to be able to predict how much your cloud solution will cost on a monthly basis? The cloud also allows you to adjust your plan according to your needs, and businesses appreciate this added flexibility.

We’ll Guide You Through the Migration Process

Fatech IT Advisors specializes in managing the IT and resources of small businesses just like yours. That includes cloud computing and virtualization, even for hardware. To learn more about how we can support your business efforts, reach out to us at (703) 719-4000.