Why Smaller Businesses Are Turning to the Cloud
Creating a productive workplace is a top priority for smaller businesses, and the cloud facilitates a number of efficiencies for them. It helps smaller businesses save money, gives them access to more complex computing power, and promotes collaboration.
According to a 2014 Intuit study, U.S. SMBs (Small and Mid-sized Businesses) are moving to the cloud in bigger numbers, with almost 80% of them migrating to the cloud by 2020.
Here are five reasons smaller businesses should consider migrating to the cloud.
- Cost effective
Cloud services offer smaller businesses immediate cost savings because they fully utilize hardware in a way most smaller businesses just can’t do. Virtualized servers and infrastructure increase the value of the physical servers, meaning smaller businesses can leverage more computing with fewer resources.
Predictable monthly payments make it easy for smaller businesses to budget, freeing up money to other parts of their business that allow for more immediate growth and use.
- Flexible
Smaller businesses are moving to the cloud for the flexibility it provides, especially when it comes to scaling their business. Scaling cloud services up as a business grows needn’t be difficult. With cloud services, it can be managed on demand by customers changing their subscription at a click of a button.
The benefits don’t stop there. More workplaces are catering to a mobile workforce, so smaller businesses must offer this too. The increased mobility and flexibility in the cloud promotes Bring Your Own Device (BYOD), enabling employees to work on the devices they own and are most comfortable with, whether that’s a smartphone, tablet or laptop.
- Hassle-free infrastructure
Another headache that’s eliminated with cloud services is managing the IT infrastructure. Unless you’re in the technology industry, it can be a challenge to manage everything yourself. Hardware, software, upgrades, and refreshes…who’s got time for all that?
A cloud service provider eliminates all of that for smaller business owners. They’re the ones that handle the upgrades and refreshes, while you simply continue to use an up-to-date service to build your business.
Reminder: Don’t forget to choose a provider that has good security in place on their infrastructure and an easily-understood security policy for their customers.
- Secure environment
Every small business needs secure communications, and cloud delivers flexibility, reliability and security without compromising privacy.
With a good cloud service provider you get a lot more security expertise than you can achieve by just buying a firewall. Cloud service providers employ tough physical and virtual measures to prevent data from being stolen.
Tip: Look for providers offering redundant power and generator protection, redundant network, 24x7x365 on-site personnel and physical security measures, including badge-only access and video surveillance.
- Great way to communicate
Cloud services, especially those dedicated to email and messaging, bring everyone into the same “office”, so they can work as if they were side-by-side, even if they’re actually seated in different parts of the world.
Smartphone ready
Most cloud services are mobile friendly, so you can take your business on the road. Share emails, documents, images, proposals, quotes, estimates, and more with anyone, from anywhere.
So, if you’re in a small business, consider “cloud”
Enjoy cost effective solutions, get access to more computing power, and communicate even better with employees, partners, and customers.
To find out more about the cloud services that can help your business work smarter, check out Kerio Cloud.
