Cloud computing has been widely used by large and small businesses alike for several years now. It is estimated that the use of services that are directly or indirectly connected to the cloud is associated with 92% of companies. This trend not only suggests that this adoption is here to stay but also signifies the benefits of cloud computing. Although large organizations have a number of advantages of using the cloud, SMEs have even more as the cloud’s cost efficiency offerings allow a small business to access advanced technology, tools, and resources.
There are small businesses out there that have not yet migrated completely to the cloud but do use some of its services that are available for SMEs. Let us take a look at the eight top benefits of cloud computing for small businesses that are absolutely essential but maybe not very discernible until you start leveraging them.
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Cost Reduction
Direct ownership of your IT assets, tools, and equipment in the form of on-site IT servers can lead to huge monthly costs. Small businesses do not have so much capital and have to compromise their various value-adding operations to redirect their limited resources to the procurement and maintenance of their hardware. This is a big disadvantage for SMEs that holds back their growth significantly. Labor and storage costs are two more factors that are notorious for eating away huge amounts from the IT budgets of small businesses.
A small business can do away with these costs by leveraging the cloud. Opting for cloud computing means a business does not have to cater to the price tags of ventilation units, cabling, and all the other hardware components as all this becomes its cloud vendor’s responsibility. Furthermore, you do not have to bear the expenses associated with licensing, upgrades, software, resources, tools, etc., either. For all these reasons, it makes the perfect fiscal sense to adopt cloud computing and save on dough that can be utilized to add value to the business and expand it. It serves as an ongoing and significant investment that has the potential to reap enormous returns in the long run.
Data Security
Data loss can damage a business’s integrity, along with giving it a huge setback in terms of its finances. However, small businesses are especially concerned with the threat of data loss as they usually do not have a huge capital to help them get back on their feet or at least as strongly as they would like. Data loss could be a result of malicious attempts by cybercriminals that are always looking for opportunities of getting their hands on a company’s data to hold it for ransom. Accidental deletions of data are also not uncommon.
Today’s business world is data-driven, and the huge significance of data calls for small businesses to store their data in a location that is much more secure than on-site servers. The cloud fortifies the data in a better manner by safekeeping it in different geographical and heavily secured locations. It also maintains backups for it and safeguards it with advanced permissions, encryption, and authentication techniques and processes.
SERVICE DISABLED VETERAN OWNED SMALL BUSINESS (SDVOSB)
Scalability
One of the major benefits of cloud computing for small businesses is its scalability offering. Firstly, a small business can start off as little as it is comfortable with and requires as there is no need to make big initial investments. Businesses can choose the amount and magnitude of service they please and need without paying an additional amount and access more cloud services as they grow and expand. Secondly, if your operations demand expansion with a notice of just a few hours, there are expert cloud service providers, like Cloud Computing Technologies, that are able and always ready to scale up your tool, resource, service, and data needs in a matter of minutes to accommodate your demands. Without cloud computing, even a large business cannot imagine being able to do that, let alone a small business.
CCT has the information about its client’s resources and cost capacities at its fingertips and can quickly aid you in determining the plan that would best suit your needs. With cloud computing, you can keep everything running smoothly during your growth and expansion period as well during a time that requires you to downgrade or temporarily scale down.
Mobility
One of the most amazing benefits of cloud computing is that it allows small businesses to access data from virtually anywhere at any given point in time. Applications and software that are cloud-based make your business agile and equip it with communication systems that keep all the stakeholders connected and communicating in real-time.
Competitive Advantage
Small businesses that leverage cloud computing power gain access to technology that is newer and advanced to improve their workflows. This gives them a competitive advantage in the market by making their operations and value-adding activities more sound, secure, agile, efficient. Even the cost efficiency benefits of cloud computing are enough to provide small businesses a competitive edge.
Automation
Cloud computing has the power to automate software updates as well as many critical operations and processes of businesses. A small business can become more agile, secure, and efficient with timely and automated upgrades. Automation also reduces the chances of human error and saves a significant amount of a business’s time that can be invested in other value-adding activities.
Insights
Cloud allows you to track each step within each of your business operations. The analytics and data you receive in the form of track reports can be analyzed and used to make well-informed decisions.
Sustainability
From reducing your energy bill to doing more for the environment, you can enhance the goodwill of the company as well support your own or your employees’ ethos by rendering your business operations more sustainable.
Small Disadvantaged Business
Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB) provides access to specialized skills and capabilities contributing to improved competitiveness and efficiency.
Conclusion to 8 Top Benefits of Cloud Computing for Small Businesses
The benefits of cloud computing for small businesses are aplenty. Get in touch with Cloud Computing Technologies, regardless of the size or industry of your business, to extract the most out of cloud services. Contact us to learn more about how you can leverage the 8 Top Benefits of Cloud Computing for Small Businesses.
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