Everyone is talking about ‘the cloud’ and how it can be beneficial for small and medium sized businesses, yet its uptake still remains limited. So what is the cloud? And why are organisations taking so long to implement it?
Despite its stated benefits, ‘the cloud’ is still being met with hesitation from many small and medium size businesses. It can be a daunting prospect, migrating all your information and data to an intangible place that can’t be physically moved or accessed. The security of data and information is also concerning, especially in regards to the ownership of the information, its accessibility and the level of privacy from local governments and the hosting organisations. So why pick the cloud? And what is all the fuss?
SMBs (small & medium businesses) that have shifted to the cloud are already seeing the benefits. Having data and business computing programs running online, rather than exclusively on your office computers, allows employees to access information at anytime, anywhere there is an internet connection. As many small businesses are mobile and operate out of numerous locations, this untapped accessibility can be hugely beneficial.
The myth associated with cloud computing is that is often expensive and can cause disruptions when shifting to the hosting service. The fixed cost advantage of cloud computing is appealing, and contrary to belief, inexpensive. Not having to buy a program outright and avoiding the constant updates of software and hardware that is symptomatic of traditional server hosting reduces costs and is hassle free.
According to MYOB, SMBs that embrace cloud computing are much more likely to witness higher revenues in the year of uptake. This allows SMBs to be better connected and more productive, giving them a competitive advantage over business rivals. Working with an experienced provider will also give you the advantage of short downtime and painless implementation. Consider the cloud – you won’t remember life without it.
