Cloud computing has been embraced by many businesses, large and small, all around the world. One of the main reasons for this uptake is because it gives enterprises, especially smaller ones, lots of advantages. It also reduces costs and overheads, which is welcome at any time, but particularly so now.
Using a cloud server allows businesses to adopt new technology as it comes out without having to buy new software and equipment themselves; this makes them more agile and competitive. It’s important for smaller businesses to be agile and competitive because they have more of a chance against larger companies with bigger budgets. Being able to adopt new tech lets small and medium enterprises improve their offerings to clients, both in terms of scope and cost.
Here are these advantages in more detail.
The cloud means better collaboration
Using cloud servers means that employees and partners can collaborate much more easily, which can only be good for productivity. If staff and even clients can access files and other valuable information from wherever they are, then deals can be done, emails can be sent and deadlines can be met from pretty much anywhere.
Team members can work on projects together wherever they are; they can create and work on master documents together, upload charts and other infographics and edit each other’s work (always important!).
Communication costs less
Using the cloud reduces the cost to businesses of maintaining contact and communication with employees and clients. Comms used to be expensive, especially if everyone’s email needed to have lots of extra storage for all the documents they handle every day. With one cloud server holding everything, though, these costs are reduced, as well as the physical costs for powering the server, maintaining the server, upgrading the server… As a start-up, any saving is nigh-on invaluable and can make the difference between growing and failing.
The cloud means more mobility
Most bosses now agree that working from home is exactly that – not schlubbing out in front of the second series of The Borgias. Remote working means that businesses can hire a freelancer for just a few hours every week, rather than crating a full-time or part-time job for someone, complete with desk-space, insurance and so on.
If employees and freelancers can access their work on the way home or even on holiday, then there’ll be fewer missed opportunities, more contacts and more productivity. This mobility also means that the business owner can look at and manage it from afar, or late in the evening. The cloud also makes the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) culture easier, which in turn means a smaller spend on workplace devices.
Using the cloud means better scalability – up and down
Cloud computing lets businesses scale up and even scale down if necessary (and sometimes it is necessary when times are tough), without spending a fortune. Scaling up means more equipment and software and even scaling down can cost money and human hours. Using a cloud system is faster, easier and, most importantly, cheaper, allowing start-ups to grow or shrink without breaking the bank.
Photograph by ColossusCloud