In this article, we’ll take a look at how Cloud Computing can serve small businesses to yield better results.
Before we look at our top 5 reasons as to why small businesses should use Cloud Computing, let’s find out what it is…
What is Cloud Computing?
Cloud Computing is a form of technology that allows you to gain access to your business data and applications from anywhere at any time from any modern mobile device, such as Apple/Android tablets and smartphones.
All your business files, data, and programs are securely stored on an external server (Cloud) that allows your employees to access their files from anywhere, with files accessible according to each employee’s needs via email address and password.
Undoubtedly, Cloud Computing gives small businesses access to technologies that previously were out of their reach and lets them compete with both other small businesses and larger ones.
1. Save Money
People are sometimes worried about the cost of Cloud Computing. A study recently showed at least 20% of organisations are concerned about the cost of using Cloud Computing.
However, not only is Cloud Computing available to match SME budgets, it will also result in cost savings across the company that you may not have factored in.
With Cloud Computing, you will no longer need to buy expensive software. That’s because you now use cloud applications at the peak of modern technology instead, which are often much, much cheaper.
There are a number of ways that Cloud Computer can save you money. One of the reasons is that with Cloud Computing, you will no longer have to pay for someone to install and update software, install and manage email servers, or run backups.
This is because your cloud vendor will be responsible for maintaining your services or applications on your behalf, and this is included within the service of using Cloud Computing.
Just 3 years ago, half of all CIOs and IT leaders surveyed by Bitglass reported cost savings as a result of using cloud-based applications.
2. Save Time
Cloud Computing allows you to free up time spent on storage, data backup, and software program monitoring. These things also take up a lot of space on servers/computers.
With cloud computing, you use someone else’s servers to store all this data instead, freeing up time spent on backing-up your files, and also freeing up space on your in-house computer equipment for other purposes or even letting you get rid of some of it
You may be able to consolidate your separate application needs into one multi-application cloud computing service. For instance, Google Apps for Business includes email, a calendar scheduling application, Google Docs for creating documents, presentations, forms, using online file storage and Google Sites for creating websites.
Even Microsoft’s traditional office application suite, which used to be only available in desktop versions costing hundreds of dollars, is now available in a cloud-based version known as Office 365.
Cloud computing is unrivalled in storing and processing gigantic quantities of data for a cost-effective price. In addition, it allows the simple deployment of the applications needed to carry out this processing.
3. Business Security
A cloud host’s full-time job is to carefully monitor security, which is significantly more efficient than a conventional in-house system, where an organization must divide its efforts between a myriad of IT concerns, with security being only one of them.
And while most businesses don’t like to openly consider the possibility of internal data theft, the truth is that a staggeringly high percentage of data thefts occur internally and are perpetrated by employees. When this is the case, it can actually be much safer to keep sensitive information offsite to prevent all types of cybercrime.
One study last year saw 94% of businesses report an improvement in security after switching to the cloud. The key to this amped-up security is the encryption of data being transmitted over networks and stored in databases. By using encryption, information is less accessible to hackers and to anyone not authorized to view your data.
Cloud Computing also allows fast Disaster Recovery in case your most important files, data and information is lost, such as power outages, or internally compromised. Cloud Computer’s quick and thorough disaster recovery also prevents large periods of downtime in your services and avoiding a number of unwanted, costly issues.
Find out more about Disaster Recovery here.
4. Greater Mobility
With literally billions of smartphones being used each and every day – both for personal and professional uses – Cloud Computing is a great way to ensure that no one misses important company information. Increasingly busy employees, sales staff visiting other companies for commercial reasons, and colleagues that work from home can use this feature to instantly keep up to date with both clients and their teams.
Conveniently accessible information allows for a better work-life balance. Therefore, it’s not surprising to see that businesses with employee satisfaction set as a priority are 24% more likely to expand cloud usage.
5. Cloud Computing Can Give You A Competitive Edge
Keeping everything strictly local can be tempting for SMEs. However, doing so places them at a distinct disadvantage when competing with those who have the benefits of the cloud at their fingertips.
If you implement a cloud-based solution before your competitors, you’ll be further along the learning curve by the time they catch up. A recent Verizon study showed that 77% of businesses feel cloud technology gives them a competitive advantage.
For SMEs, Cloud Hosting is cost-effective, highly reliable. It provides the scalability, flexibility, agility, high performance and security businesses need from their IT systems. Therefore, you’ll already be using something that provides you with a number of benefits that your competitors – even bigger businesses – aren’t benefiting from.
Conclusion
Find out more about our Cloud Computing service and how we can offer a seamless integration service for your company here.
Or, if you have any questions, feel free to call us on 01206 235000 and we’ll be happy to help!