Being a startup is not an easy thing. You may have some experience, relatively realistic plans and truly innovative ideas but turning these into profit requires more. Though there are many programs and companies that can financially support new ideas, this solves only a part of a problem especially in case of really young companies.
Young startups usually neither have a lot of money nor a sustainable business model. Besides sponsorships that usually dictate their development rate, startups need other solutions to bring their business plans and models into being. This is where cloud computing jumps in – besides enabling easier deployment of IT services, it also provides more flexible ways to manage corporate data. It may take a long before startups develop and shift to on-premise IT and by that time cloud computing may make the basis for development.
Though different companies can deploy cloud technologies in different ways the key benefits for startups revolve around:
Affordability. Pay-as-you go models and flexible SLAs give many opportunities for startups to reduce their capital expenditures (CapEx). Initial investments and their distribution is often one of the greatest worries for anyone entering a business and cloud technologies can positively influence this. Storing data on public cloud servers means that hardware equipment becomes a minor worry and tasks related to data management are transferred to external teams.
Resources. Integrated apps and cloud infrastructure guarantee that a startup can use the best technology without having to invest much in it. Cloud platforms are especially suitable for developers because it enables them to focus on what really matters – improving their core experience.
Scalability. Cloud computing gives an opportunity to easily scale their success and use only the necessary resources. With the growth of business and team, the company is likely to need more resources and in the cloud it is much easier to upgrade and to measure the growth.
Flexibility. Not all the startups have the same needs, nor do providers make the same offers. A wide variety of offers and payment models available allows CIOs to choose an adequate deployment model. This diversity guarantees that almost everybody can find exactly what they need.
Tailored programs. Many big cloud companies may offer programs particularly tailored to motivate and help startups develop. Veteran companies often provide resources for younger startups because both can benefit this way. Inexperienced but innovative developers get the opportunity to prove themselves, while veteran companies make a significant investment. Rakspace is just one of the giant companies that offer such programs.
Even though sponsorships are often the most important determiner of a startup’s future, there are many other aspects that require careful planning, organizing and management. To employ professional staff for managing an on-premise IT structure requires much time and money which is what young startups usually don’t have. With all the resources and services that cloud providers put at their disposal startups have more opportunities especially if they are starting from zero.
