7 Reasons Small Businesses Switch to Cloud Based Software

SHARE

 

used with permission from the Microsoft Small Business Center

Small business owners often have big dreams. Whether that dream is to keep your business small or to grow it into a big business, you want your business to run as smoothly as possible – every step of the way. You might start your business as a sole proprietor with just a laptop and a few software programs. As your business grows and adds employees, you have to start thinking about security, backup, remote access, and coordination of effort.

One of the reasons small businesses switch to cloud-based software is to reap the benefits of big business infrastructure, without having to implement and manage it directly. Until recently, your software and servers almost always resided in your office, where they would be administered by your IT staff. This type of deployment is referred to as “on premise.” In the last several years, “cloud based” software has become more popular.

Cloud based software (also called cloud computing) enables companies to access software and servers located in a secure data center, maintained by the software provider. These free or subscriber-based services are delivered in real time over the Internet. Your Microsoft Hotmail or Live account is an example of cloud-based email.

Small businesses are finding the many attributes of cloud computing very attractive. Here are seven reasons why:

1. Cloud computing can improve employee productivity.
Using tools like Online Exchange and SharePoint, employees can easily access documents and emails while away from the office. Many small businesses have employees working remotely, and need both mobility and flexibility. Cloud computing is a straightforward and affordable way of addressing those needs, especially when you are using intuitive, familiar software that your employees already know.

2. Cloud computing reduces upfront costs.
Choosing a cloud-based solution for such things as email, document sharing, and web conferencing reduces the upfront cost associated with starting a business. There are no servers to buy. The cloud-based subscription model allows small businesses to easily increase or decrease their use of cloud services according to their needs.

3. Cloud computing boosts collaboration.
Employees everywhere can access and work with the same files in real time – no more emails back and forth with attachments to open. Better collaboration improves productivity and creativity.

4. Cloud computing provides business resiliency.
Numerous studies have shown that more than 50% of small businesses will go out of business within a year of a major data loss. In a cloud environment, if you lose your laptop – or worse, your whole office – you can get back to business in no time. All your business information and files are securely in place.

5. Cloud computing is easy.
The transfer of business information into “the cloud” is very straightforward. No need to install new hardware or software; no IT administration. It is often seamless to the user. Saving a document to a Microsoft Sky Drive is the same process as saving it to a hard drive. No training is required.

6. Cloud computing is accessible.
Offering easy access and file sharing from any Internet connection, cloud computing allows employee access via smart phone or computer.

7. Cloud computing is secure.
In fact, cloud computing can be more secure than a traditional IT infrastructure. Cloud computing providers like Microsoft build multiple levels of security and redundancy into their data centers.

The great thing about cloud computing is that it’s not an all-or-nothing proposition. Even if you already have servers and an IT staff, you can pick just one application that you think would be better served in the cloud. You might decide that since your sales force is remote, you’ll invest in Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online to manage your sales and marketing processes – but you’ll keep your Exchange Server deployment in house. With few exceptions, a mix and match of in-house and cloud-computing software works just great!

UPCOMING VIRTUAL EVENTS

Demystifying Cyber Security for SMBs

sb-cyber-security-master-class

The continually changing threat landscape requires us to update best practices and add new concepts to keep your organization safe.

SESSION 4: Cyber Security Strategy
Watch On-Demand

SESSION 5: Cyber Insurance & MFA
Watch On-Demand

SESSION 6: Threat Detection | OCT. 16

Microsoft Copilot
Master Class Workshop

sb-microsoft-copilot-master-class

eMazzanti will host 60-minute Master Classes, that speak to how AI can help your business streamline and grow.

In each session, you will have Artificial Intelligence and Automation explained, view a live demo of Copilot, and see it live in action in a dynamic format.

RESOURCES

Cyber Security Awareness Hub

sb-Cyber-Security-Awareness-Hub

Cyber Security Awareness Kit, designed to be delivered to your team in bitesize chunks.

We are sharing the resources and highlighting services your organization needs, covering everything from multifactor authentication to software updates, showing your users just how easy it is to improve their security posture.

Resource Library

sb-resource-library

Insights to help you do what you do better, faster and more profitably.

> Tips to Stay Protected Against Phishing Attacks

> Understanding Ransomware 

> The 6 Known Wi-Fi Threat Categories Targeting Your Business and How to Defend Against Them

> Practical Advice for Avoiding Phishing Emails

Recent Articles

NEWSLETTER

Categories