Cloud Computing – How it can drive your business forward
Written By: Caitlyn Young
Cloud Computing – A model for delivering information technology services in which resources are retrieved from the internet through web-based tools and applications, rather than a direct connection to a server. Data and software packages are stored in servers. However, cloud computing structure allows access to information as long as an electronic device has access to the web. This type of system allows employees to work remotely.(Investopedia.com, 2012)
Cloud Computing or Application Sharing is a term used by many, but some business owners still may be lost and unaware of how this “new wave” technology can help their business prosper. A study conducted by IBM recently predicted that within the next three years, cloud computing will grow by 41% for all businesses they’re calling this technology a “game changer”. But the question on many business owners’ minds is “what does all this really mean for my small or midsized company?” People may believe this technology only helps large corporations, when in fact that is incorrect. Cloud computing helps any business looking to save money, save time, free up IT resources, and it provides the ability to work 
from anywhere, anytime!
This concept allows you to meet your Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), Return of Interest (ROI), increase efficiency company-wide, and most importantly, you pay as you grow. This means you only get billed once a month for the usage by your company. Think of it like an electricity bill – you get billed every month only for the power you use. That’s exactly how cloud computing works. This is much more efficient than your company buying servers, building a data center, and hoping that the server is not being over-utilized or under-utilized and therefore costing you more money.
Not only is saving money a huge importance for companies, but so is saving time and focusing on the most important thing – growing your business! With cloud computing you never have to buy/upgrade software and hardware, and many cloud solutions, particularly those related to SaaS, require no effort on your part whatsoever. Updates are done automatically, and applications only need to be installed once to provide multiple user access. This means regardless of whether your company has 10 employees or 200 employees, it’s easily and quickly installed once and all your employees can work within the “cloud” immediately.
Finally there is the aspect of safety. All your company’s files can be backed up and stored in a safe and secure offsite location. Your files are saved using two servers (in case one fails) and are encrypted and backed up nightly or more depending on the clients wishes. You can rest assured knowing your files will always be backed up, and easily accessible if needed.
Cloud computing is a leading way for small and midsized businesses to sell their goods and services using a wide range of different applications including Microsoft programs, Outlook, Adobe, SQL and other databases and any other application used by your organization. It can also be used on many different devices including desktops, laptops, PlayBook, Android devices IPad, Mac desktops/laptops and Smart phones. This makes it simple for you and your employees to get work done from many different locations, at the office or on the go.
After reading this blog you should have a better understanding of what Cloud Computing is, and how it can help improve your small or midsized business while saving you money, time, and space. It’s a new type of technology taking off quickly. Is your company ready for the change?’
