Cloud computing is becoming more and more popular, especially for businesses and organizations. A lot of enterprises are shifting to the cloud because it offers a lot of benefits. With cloud computing, SMEs no longer have to maintain software and servers on their premises. There is no need to employ highly technical personnel to maintain the IT infrastructure. What businesses do now is that they rent a space on a server located anywhere in the world so that they can access their software applications. A lot of large businesses have moved to the clouds and it is expected that small and medium-sized businesses will follow suit.
SMEs can enjoy a lot of benefits when they shift to the clouds. One of such benefits is that they can save on costs. There is no need to invest on hardware and not use it fully. With cloud computing, SMEs can pay only for what they have utilized. They have the option to choose the kind of service level they require. Cloud computing Service Providers take care of IT support, licenses, and costly equipment. They also ensure that they have the newest software versions installed on their systems. Thus, SMEs need not worry about software installations and updates. Also, cloud computing service providers employ IT experts who can help users with their needs.
In general, as businesses grow and succeed, they need more storage space or additional software. These enterprises need to upgrade their servers, buy new software, and train their employees on new processes. Such moves can entail additional costs, time, and effort. However, with cloud computing, a growing company can just buy additional services and space from its cloud computing service provider. Training the staff is also a breeze because most providers offer intuitive online interfaces.
Cloud computing also allows SMEs to use high quality software which they may not afford had they chosen to buy the software themselves. SMEs can an inexpensive yet professional-looking website by accessing wordpress. They need not maintain a server to host their websites. Sales and customer management is also effortless with SalesForce. Files can be shared among employees through Box and can be accessed anywhere in the world as long as there is internet connection. Costly solutions are now available even to the smallest businesses.
SMEs can save up to 70% of IT costs if they move to the clouds because they are charged only for what they have consumed monthly but the best infrastructure, platforms, and software are offered for their use. With the increased popularity of Software as a Service, buying data storage is very much the same as buying electricity from a grid. With internet bandwidth becoming more and more affordable, there is no need to spend a lot of money on infrastructure. Another benefit of cloud computing is SMEs can use it quickly. A business can be up and about at the shortest possible time. Also, it is much greener when companies take advantage of cloud computing because IT equipment is utilized to the fullest. Electricity consumption can also go down because each SME need not maintain its server on site.
By Florence de Borja
