Scalability is the ability of an IT resource, like storage or an application, to handle growing or decreasing demands in a capable manner to meet your business needs. Basically, you can get more of the resource when you need more! The great benefit of scaling in the cloud is that these resources can operate normally, even as they grow, and they can be scaled at any time, according to customer demand. This is one of the most popular and transformational features of cloud computing. It helps businesses adjust their IT resources based on growth, projects, season, and more. By implementing cloud solutions, an organization enables its resources to develop as the business does.
RapidScale allows clients to increase their cloud resources to accommodate increased needs or business changes. With traditional architecture, this was not a simple process. In the cloud, scalability is the norm. Businesses are able to upscale their cloud requirements whenever necessary – there’s essentially unlimited space in the cloud. Business growth doesn’t have to mean major spending spikes. Instead, you eliminate expenses associated with expanding your IT resources.
Our managed cloud approach is key here. With a managed provider like RapidScale, organizations are able to rely on a dedicated team to maintain and scale various cloud solutions. The allocation of resources is quick and easy, taking place in a fully monitored and managed environment suitable for businesses of all sizes. And ultimately, the burden won’t even fall on the business’ shoulders. This approach ensures that overloading is never a concern, as the cloud team manages the servers within the data center.
Scalability and the cloud support business growth by not requiring a business to make expensive or time-consuming changes to their current setup. Instead, it’s quick and easy to get resources you need, as you need them, and you don’t have to be bound by the size of your server closet.
The discussion around scalability almost always leads into one about the cloud payment model. Cloud computing and its characteristics have changed how we approach the costs of computing resources. In the past, these purchases were considered major capital investments and required lots of planning and forecasting. Today, technology is moving too fast for that. Anything you invest in now will most likely be out of date within the year! That’s why cloud providers allow businesses to purchase space and resources in the cloud while paying for what they use, as they use it. This is more like a subscription – or, in contrast to capital expenditure, it’s operational expenditure – and what you’re subscribing to is the latest version of the technology you’re using.
The stats say it all. 85% of SMBs reported that cloud technology enables them to scale and grow faster, while 79% of relatively mature companies believe cloud technology enables them to access new markets and revenue streams. (Deloitte) Cloud tools allow businesses to grow exactly how they want to, building the exact company culture, products, and services they envision. Cloud computing is the key driver in helping organizations grow quickly and at scale with their needs.
