The cloud, also known as cloud-based services or cloud computing, is modernising businesses by giving outdated technology the boot and empowering employees to work faster and smarter. We take a closer look at cloud servers and how they work.

What is a Cloud Server?

A cloud server is also known as a virtual server and runs in a cloud computing environment. It is built, hosted and delivered over the Internet, enabling users to store large volumes of data and process intensive workloads.

Cloud servers offer all the capabilities of typical on-premises servers with all the software needed to run and function as independent units. Businesses can access this remotely through a cloud server provider and do not need a physical server in the office.

In the past, employees could only access computer files and business systems if they were in the office and logged in to the business’ computer network. Now they can access programs such as Microsoft Word and Excel through the cloud.

This offers employers and employees more flexibility and increases productivity because team members can access files on the road, from home, at client locations, or anywhere where there is an Internet connection.

How Does a Cloud Server Work?

A cloud storage system works through a client (e.g. computer using a cloud storage service) sending files over the Internet to an off-site cloud server that records and stores the data in a safe and secure environment. A business can access and often manipulate files on the cloud server through a web-based interface.

Cloud storage systems typically maintain your data across a cluster of data servers working together and store the same data on more than one server. This provides redundancy protection to ensure your information is secure in more than one place and you can retrieve it at any given time.

Benefits of a Cloud Server

Cloud servers are modernising how businesses work and offer many benefits for both employers and employees:

• Cost-effective: Cloud servers enable businesses to only pay for what they need and reduces the costs of maintaining in-house server hardware.
• No on-site physical server: There is no need for an on-premises physical server meaning increased office space critical for a growing business. This also saves power, removes the need for server support and reduces hardware memory requirements because employees need to save fewer documents on in-house hardware.
• Scalable: Cloud storage resources are flexible and can be scaled as and when to meet the changing needs of your business, beneficial for potential growth and fluctuating needs during certain times of the year.
• Reliability: There is increased security and improved back-up and recovery because your information is stored in more than one cloud server. If any problems arise, there is none of the worries associated with lost data on a physical server.
• Remote working: A business can access a cloud server from anywhere, at any time, as long as there is an Internet connection. This provides more freedom for employees and benefits businesses by enabling a mobile workforce. This can lead to a happier, more productive and more engaged workforce who are more likely to stay with your organisation.
• Sharing and collaboration: Cloud servers store your business documents and you can share this with clients and colleagues within the same team or across the organisation. Everyone can access and work on a single source document in real time, improving and speeding up collaboration.

Cloud Server Solutions from San-iT

By embracing the benefits of a cloud server, you can save your business time and money, improve flexibility for your employees, increase collaboration amongst your team and clients, protect your business from data loss and downtime, and enjoy a scalable solution that meets the changing needs of your organisation.

For more information about how a cloud server solution can work for your business, get in touch by calling us on 0161 359 3689 or email us at info@san-it.co.uk to learn more about cloud computing solutions from San-iT.