How Cloud Computing Can Help Your Small Business

Cloud computing has been capturing the imagination of tech geeks for some time now, immersing themselves in the potential it has to revolutionise people’s lives and businesses.

A lot of small businesses have not greeted the technology with the same enthusiasm however and remain reluctant to succumb to its charms. This is in spite of the fact that industry commentators have for some time been encouraging business to switch to it.

They see it’s many advantages in terms of cost, efficiency and selling opportunities. This is particularly true for the small business as it levels the playing field and allows them to compete more competitively with larger multi-nationals.

A lot of the small businesses who have embraced cloud technology are still using a hybrid set-up and are not yet running private clouds, perhaps put-off by the initial outlay or concerns over the protection of data. However, if you listen to what the experts say about data in the Cloud it is clear that it’s secure and can be easily accessed.

So what benefits do cloud computing systems offer the small business? What tangible benefits can they expect?

Apps for small businesses

There are now cloud-based apps available for almost every conceivable business process; from file storage and sharing apps such as MozyPro and Box to collaboration apps such as Webex and videoconferencing services such as Skype.

There are also a number of business specific apps for things like accounting and payroll as well as apps for collating customer data and sales strategies. Cloud technology allows smaller businesses to enjoy the same level of performance as larger global businesses.

Remote working

While the Internet has opened up the possibilities of working from anywhere that has a Wi-Fi connection, the Cloud takes this capability to a new level. It allows employees to access private company documents and work files that are not available for streaming online.

Remote working helps make the most of an employee’s time, boosting productivity in the process.

Security

If a laptop is lost or stolen it can have some serious monetary implications. However if that data is stored in the Cloud it won’t be lost and can still be accessed regardless of what happens to the machine. This also applies if your computer crashes; no longer will you have to rely on complex disaster recovery plans. Cloud computing providers such as Dell’s cloud computing take care of most issues and ensure that businesses are able to capitalise on all of the benefits which this new form of working offers.