Cloud computing
Despite the benefits, four in ten small business owners don’t understand what cloud computing means for their business, according to PeoplePerHour.com research.
What is cloud computing?
Cloud computing is a general term for anything that involves delivering hosted services over the Internet. Cloud computing is simply getting IT services, such as email, customer relationship management or web conferencing, over the internet. Instead of buying hardware and software up front, you pay a monthly charge based on the number of users. The name cloud computing was inspired by The Cloud symbol that’s often used to represent the Internet in flowcharts and diagrams.
Benefits of cloud computing
Reduced IT costs
Using cloud services can help your business reduce its IT expenditure. Having your business applications provided over the internet means you can reduce your hardware and software requirements and your on going maintenance costs .
Flexibility
Cloud computing allows your business to easily up-scale or downscale your IT requirements as and when required. We can manage any changes you require throughout the business should your needs change.
Latest technology
Cloud computing can help ensure that you always have access to the latest technology. You would no longer need to worry about updating your software or investing in new back-end technology – we can manage this on your behalf.
Work from anywhere
Moving your business to the Cloud makes it so that you’re able to securely access critical data and applications from various devices – anytime, anywhere whether you are on the go or in the comfort of your home office.
Enterprise-level backup
Cloud services can provide your business with enterprise-level back-up. While there are some concerns around data protection, cloud computing can give your business access to professionally managed back-up for all of your business information which we can monitor on a regular basis.
Environmental factors
Cloud computing can offer a more environmentally friendly way of fulfilling your IT requirements, by helping reduce your energy consumption. It can also help you reduce equipment wastage, since any reduction to your hardware needs will limit future redundancy.
Disadvantages of Cloud Computing
Possible downtime
Cloud computing makes your small business dependent on the reliability of your Internet connection. When it’s off-line, you’re off-line. And even the most reliable Internet service providers suffer server outages now and again.
Security issues
Some business are concerned about storing data their on the Internet. However, we work with established, reliable cloud computing partners who have the latest, most sophisticated data security systems possible as they want your business and realise that data security is a big concern.
Cost
At first glance, a cloud computing application may appear to be a lot cheaper than a particular software solution installed and run in-house, but you need to be sure that the cloud application has all the features the software does.
How can we help?
We can ensure your business is ready to be able to work effectively in the cloud. Our team has a wealth of knowledge on cloud computing and we offer a range of services under this heading, all of which work in various ways to reduce the cost, and carbon footprint, of your IT infrastructure and to help you buy solutions, rather than technology.
We can provide advice on what cloud solutions suit your business and ensure it is set up correctly for a stress free transition to the cloud. Alongside this we can provide on-going support for any maintenance issues required to be carried out as part of our support contracts.
The Next Step…
Contact us today for more information on cloud computing and the solutions available for your business, please contact us on 01392 824022 or email us at info@amesolutions.co.uk.
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