If you have an iPhone or a MacBook, you’re familiar with iCloud, Apple’s cloud file storage and services platform. You can back up and synchronize photos, calendars, emails, notes, contacts, reminders, messages, and so on, creating a safety net in the event of loss so you can quickly restore important data. iCloud users automatically get 5GB of free storage. A graph shows information about the available and used capacity for the files in the storage system. iCloud+ is a premium subscription available at 50MB, 200MB, 2TB, 6TB, and 12TB.
The iCloud Drive is Apple’s version of Dropbox, and it allows users to store and share data between different devices (iPhones, Macs, iPads, etc.) and backup files. It doesn’t work like other cloud storage solutions in that you can’t access or organize your collection of files – at least not on mobile devices. Nevertheless, Apple allows users to save most file types and open Office documents, bringing an additional compatibility layer. The iCloud is almost mandatory for a better experience with Apple products, so it’s natural that it’s one of the company’s most popular services, but should you use it for business purposes?
How Cloud Computing Can Benefit Your Business
The loss of business and downturn of economics occur daily, and technology is needed in every organization to solve inefficiencies and remain competitive. Cloud computing eliminates unnecessary hardware, maintenance, and IT staffing expenses and improves collaboration, empowering teams to work together in real time, even if they’re located in different cities. Every organization seeks to be innovative, scalable, and secure, yet this is possible only if employees are spending time developing rather than managing software applications. Users can take advantage of services provided by cloud providers without having any operational knowledge, which means they don’t need special requirements or devices.
Cloud computing is closely connected to cloud storage, so businesses can deploy their essential data off-site instead of relying on traditional hard drives, which can be slow in retrieving larger files. Besides storage, these are the most common cloud computing uses:
- Cloud hosting: Cloud hosting refers to the ability to make applications and websites available on the Internet by pooling computing and storage resources. A hosting service can host your business website, manage databases, and accommodate domain names; they’ll provide you with the tools that allow you to easily manage your server, even without technical skills.
- Software as a service: Applications live on the software provider’s servers, which liberates users from licensing and hardware limitations, not to mention maintenance responsibilities. You log in using the Internet. SaaS apps are compatible across multiple devices, so companies can quickly pivot, respond to change, and embrace innovation is of the essence. Innovative solutions require no installation and minimal configuration.
Can iCloud Provide Value To A Business?
One of the key advantages of iCloud for your business is the extra storage capacity, so if you decide to expand and scale up, you don’t have to worry about running space in the cloud. If your company has fewer than 25 workers, you don’t need more than 10TB of storage, but if you have between 25 and 100 employees, reach out to your service provider for assistance. Take into account various factors, such as file types and sizes, data backup frequency, number of users, and internal data growth. If you don’t have significant needs, you can do with the least amount of cloud storage.
In many ways, iCloud delivers value that can’t be matched with compatible in-house solutions. Here’s how.
- File syncing and sharing: Synchronization allows staff members to work with the most updated files and information. Changes made on secondary devices are pushed to the master document, meaning that files remain consistent irrespective of the user, date, device, or location. Secure file sharing offers a way to protect confidential information by guaranteeing encryption, authentication, and access control. You can share files and folders stored in your iCloud Drive account from desktop, mobile, or the web.
- Keeping data safe: Data security is a business enabler that demonstrates to stakeholders, customers, and prospects that they can trust the organization to manage their data safely and effectively. Using a cloud storage system keeps data safe, regardless of what happens to your devices, so if you accidentally delete a document or your computer is stolen, your data is safely stored online. Still, use strong, unique passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and be suspicious of emails or links that may attempt to steal your credentials.
- Access control/permission: Access control or permission removes the need for an onsite server and computing resources, so you can grant or deny access and even receive alerts when someone attempts to gain unauthorized access. Those who have an iPhone, iPad, or MacBook can enjoy certain types of content. Upon accepting the invitation, each member gets immediate access to all items eligible for sharing. Using iCloud, you can locate lost hardware, that is, you can determine the location of the missing device for which the feature was enabled.
If you and your team predominantly use Apple devices, it makes perfect sense to leverage iCloud for business purposes. It expands your storage capacity, ensures your information doesn’t end up in the wrong hands, and allows you to easily share and collaborate on documents with others.
A Custom Cloud Solution Is The Perfect Digital Fit For Your Business
It’s sad to say that Apple no longer uses Microsoft Azure to store encrypted bits of iOS files, so the keys and the file’s metadata are stored by Google Cloud. Speaking of which, Microsoft Azure is a robust platform for building, deploying, and managing applications and services; the best part is that you only pay for the services you use and there are no upfront charges. Azure provides countless services, including but not limited to IoT, storage, networking, artificial intelligence, mobile, and management tools.
With Azure managed services, businesses can offload the complexity of managing infrastructure and applications, ensuring efficient operation, scalability, and reliability. This is especially beneficial for independent software vendors who can use these managed services to monitor workloads, oversee data throughout the IT lifecycle, and focus more on innovation.
At the end of the day, the best choice depends on your specific needs and technical expertise. iCloud may be enough, but chances are you need a more comprehensive cloud solution for your business and development projects.
