Cloud computing is popular among businesses with good reason.

Putting your business’s IT in the cloud eliminates the costs and complexity of purchasing, configuring, and managing hardware and software. Cloud providers create and use applications that offer safe storage of your company’s critical data in secure data centers maintained by IT professionals.

These applications are available over the Internet, so that all you and your employees need is a workstation or mobile device, an Internet connection and passwords to access data. Everything else is configured and maintained by the host provider, saving your enterprise time and money.

Here are five ways your organization can benefit by migrating to the cloud:

1. Reduced Costs:There are several ways costs are reduced. First, setting up an IT system requires significant outlays to purchase hardware, whether it’s multiple servers and workstations, or networking equipment such as routers and switches. In addition, computer equipment can become obsolete quickly, requiring additional expenditures to update your company’s systems.

   In the cloud, all IT resources and applications are maintained and managed offsite so that your company typically pays only for the services it actually needs and uses. IT staff is reduced or eliminated because the provider performs most maintenance. Because there are no unexpected costs due to hardware failure, your organization’s IT budget is easier to project.

2. Increased Security:Data security is a major concern for many businesses. As part of the Cloud hosting providers’ service level agreement, extra precautions such as greater security measures must be practiced in order to keep your valuable information protected from intrusion or theft. Cloud computing best practices therefore include higher levels of password protection, additional levels of physical security at the hosting site, and other advanced security measures designed to protect your business’s sensitive financial information.

   The data is generally stored in state-of-the-art fireproof facilities that providers claim offer power redundancy, 99.99 percent uptime, and daily backups. Your business may not be able to match the levels of physical security offered by the cloud and IT support is only a phone call or e-mail away.

3. Remote Accessibility:Moving applications and data to the cloud allows any authorized user to connect to your virtual office from any location with an Internet connection. Whether you use the cloud to host software, email, or your company CRM, you and your employees can have 24/7 access to data. This type of accessibility at any time from anywhere often results in the kind of productivity and efficiency that is essential in the global economy. As well, it can give your business a competitive edge. Your team can more readily focus on the business and customers’ needs.

4. Scalability:Cloud computing provides the flexibility to scale IT infrastructure up or down, depending on your business needs. This means that your organization does not have to make provisions for future requirements. If the company needs more RAM, hard drive space, or CPUs, each can be added quickly, often in a matter of minutes. The same applies if you need to downgrade IT resources.

5. Processing Power:Mobile computing, which allows users to access the Internet on the go, is almost essential in business and personal life. While most portable devices, such as smart phones, tablets, and netbooks, are less powerful than the average workstation, hosting in the cloud boosts the power of these devices to closely match the performance of workstations. This is because most of the processing is performed on the cloud server, not on the portable device.

Consult with your technology advisor about the benefits of moving to the cloud to and to discuss how the switch can increase productivity, efficiency revenue and profit at your organization.