While businesses can reap a great multitude of benefits from adopting Cloud platforms, one advantage in particular stands out in the minds of IT leaders: Accessibility. According to a recent survey conducted by CSC and TNS, out of more than 3,500 technology pros, 46% agreed that the benefit of accessibility sets the Cloud apart from other architectures.

While some experts contend there are greater benefits and the findings may surprise some, the appeal of accessibility is easy to see. It allows greater flexibility and streamlined operations for everyone involved, both on the user side and the support side.

Another important factor, ever-present on the minds of business owners, is cost savings. However, despite the positive returns available through Cloud computing and the savings touted by Cloud vendors, only 10% of survey respondents said that the cost savings was the greatest benefit.

While most agree that the bottom line is usually considered as a top priority, the adoption process for new technologies changes the rules. When a company implements a new integrated technology such as Cloud computing, factors like accessibility become imperative advantages.

Traditional programs and software applications are typically installed on local systems, running on your workstation PC or on the local network. In order to utilize those tools, users must be physically present at the site where the software is installed. However, cloud applications run on web-accessible servers and are usually available through website portals and similar online channels. Many such Cloud-based services are even available via mobile devices and smart phones. This places Cloud applications at a tremendously higher level of accessibility than traditional software tools.

The great advantage of accessibility is actually two-fold in terms of the remote-access capability, as this benefits both users as well as the IT crews who are likely working on the platform itself or offering support. These benefits are quite clear, but accessibility isn’t the only factor to consider – what about other equally important concerns such as security…or even usability?

These issues are certainly important, albeit secondary to the crucial nature of accessibility. But the benefits of added security and streamlined usability are rooted more in the Cloud solutions and services offerings, and not so much in the actual architecture of Cloud computing as accessibility is.

Cloud computing has become swiftly and increasingly popular in recent months, driven by vendors offering solutions for an array of tasks including document management, online collaboration and services representing viable FTP replacement options. Discerning the level of security and usability offered with these services will require a closer look at those respective vendors.

The IT industry respondents in the survey mentioned earlier in our article have actually conveyed some sound advice in the numbers. Business owners should consider factors such as accessibility and cost savings first and foremost during a migration to Cloud computing. Security and usability, however, should deserve special focus when shopping for the tools and applications by which your business will leverage the new technology going forward.