Cloud computing explained for small businesses

The cloud. It's something you are going to hear about more and more and it could be the future of your business. Basically the cloud is a term used for internet services.

An example of a cloud based resource is a social network, such as Facebook, which is accessible to you anytime, anywhere. You don't have to worry about data security, that's all taken care of by others.

If you currently host your email on a server within your office, you have the costs of the hardware itself, the email software and licensing, and ongoing maintenance, not to mention data security. If anything goes wrong you could be in a mess.

When you move your business email to the cloud all of this is looked after by someone else. They will utilise the latest hardware and software, and apply the most up-to-date security available. All users have their own credentials to use the service, giving you full control over who has access to important documents and files.

The cost of a cloud based solution is based on the number of users and paid monthly. It is a fixed cost which means there are no nasty surprises, such as when a drive fails or server becomes infected with something nasty!

As well as email the cloud can be used for document sharing and storage. This means that they are available anytime, anywhere in the world. Employees can collaborate on documents, chat in real-time and display their presence and availability to others.

Cloud solutions for small businesses offer instant communication and can reduce your overheads. They can make your business mobile and ensure continuity in the event of major disruption.

Posted in: Cloud Computing , Flexible Working , SMEs