Technology is critical in today’s environment, and small businesses are spending more on it to perform better. Cloud technology has enabled newer SMBs to adopt advanced technology and practices earlier in their lives. Furthermore, cloud computing for small businesses has different uses than for individual and larger companies.
As we know, there are mainly three ways to serve the cloud services, and these are –
- infrastructure as a service (IaaS)
- platform as a service (PaaS)
- software as a service (SaaS)
If we consider the cloud service model as a pyramid, IaaS creates the base to enable critical infrastructure. PaaS sits above the IaaS layer, which helps to build applications based on the available infrastructure. Finally, SaaS sits at the top, which delivers the cloud-based software to the end-users. Moreover, small businesses typically use SaaS cloud solutions
Managed service providers deliver cloud computing solutions for small business
As we have mentioned, SaaS solutions are typically used by small businesses. In that context, managed service providers play a critical role. These services not only help small businesses to move forward but also help them to stay in business. Some of such services are comprehensive backup solutions, backup-as-a-service solutions, and cloud storage. Besides all other services, local cloud storage is the most important service for small businesses because speed and latency are two critical factors as part of network performance for data protection.
Cloud computing solutions for Small business
Cloud File Storage
When you store files on the cloud instead of on-site, it saves your hardware cost and enhances the accessibility of the files. Since the cloud allows you to shift large files from the local hard drives, it enhances daily disk activities’ performance. Furthermore, the update and maintenance of the file storage system are happened by the cloud service provider. This saves a large investment cost. Furthermore, in the event of a massive power outage, there is no risk of data loss, as you can still access the stored information through other servers.
Related post – Top 10 Free Cloud Storage Services
Data Backup
When you are in a business, data backup is an important factor. Moreover, every time you update your work, you need to save the latest version of data. This is a huge task missing, which can impact your business performance. However, when your data is in the cloud, it gets updated automatically. Simultaneously, the cloud creates data off-site, which keeps safe from any natural disaster or mishap.
Growth Planning
The scalability of the cloud allows small businesses to create a growth plan without any upfront investment. You can start with small usage and gradually increase usage. However, in the cloud pay-as-go model, you don’t need to pay beyond your usage. Furthermore, as the cloud services are self-managed, you don’t need an in-house IT team for managing the technology.
Advantages of cloud computing for small business
Cost savings
This is the major advantage of using cloud computing for small businesses that come from many aspects. With cloud solutions in place, you as a small business can save many resources like –
- IT staffs
- Hardware space
- Applications
- System hardware for file storage, data back-ups, etc.
- Time
Since the cloud replaces a large on-site infrastructural resource, you don’t need additional software management or file management. At the same time, it saves hardware space making systems run more efficiently. Furthermore, with cloud computing service, you can consolidate multiple and separate applications into one multi-application. You can also save a lot of time since cloud computing services are updated regularly, providing you with the latest features and functions.
Increases Flexibility for Business and Easier Collaboration
One of the biggest benefits of using cloud computing is the increased flexibility in your business. Whether it is a small or big application, a cloud-based app can help you get things done more efficiently. For example, for Shopify, you will get inventory management, order tracking, point-of-sale, and e-commerce into a single application. Similarly, a collaboration tool like Slack enables a team to work flexibly to work together from anywhere around the world. Furthermore, the cloud working model’s flexibility allows a small business to solve business problems quickly by adding new tools to the toolkit as needed.
Provides Scalability to Grow with the Business
Every small business aspires to grow bigger. And that’s a huge change if it wants to grow too quickly while outpacing existing infrastructure. This change involves hiring resources for delivering products or services to the customers, especially if everything is targeted to be performed in-house. However, with cloud-based solutions in place, it solves the needs of today and keeps pace with the business growth of tomorrow.
The cloud’s flexibility enables the business to add capacity as per the need without reinventing the wheel.
On-time disaster recovery
Disaster management is an integral part of any business. Hence, a small business focusing on this area is also important, along with the growth plan. Unless you plan for a crisis beforehand as a small business, you need to pay off a lot if something unforeseen happens in the future.
Interestingly, 75% of small business owners don’t plan what they will do to recover from disasters. At the same time, 52% of small business owners acknowledge that it would take at least three months to recover from a disaster without a proper disaster recovery plan in place. Furthermore, statistics show that 40% of small businesses never open after a disaster hit them.
However, moving key business data and processes to the cloud ensures no possibility of data loss in case of disaster strikes.
Frees Up IT Resources
Moving to the cloud lightens the load of day-to-day activities like network monitoring and support. Small businesses especially get this help from managed service providers. Besides, we have already mentioned how storing files in the cloud can free up hardware resources.
Automatic software update
As the servers are off-premises in the cloud computing model, you are free of an infrastructural management headache. The cloud service providers take all the responsibilities from server management to regular software updates, security patches, and rolling out regular software updates. This leaves you free to focus on business matters.
Mobile Working model
Since you can access data on the cloud from anywhere and anytime, it leverages a mobile working model. It is like taking your office wherever you are. As a result, it facilitates a flexible working model for small businesses.
Easy Information Sharing
No matter whether you have in-house staff or a team spread across the world, with cloud file-sharing, you can share data effortlessly—furthermore, it’s just a matter of sharing a link instead of sending an email with large attachments.
Best cloud computing services for small business
For Storage
Amazon S3
Egnyte
Acronis
Apple iCloud Drive
Backblaze
JustCloud
Livedrive
Dropbox
Google Drive
Communications and Commerce-Based Tools
Asana Collaboration
Citrix Grasshopper
ClickMeeting Video Conferencing
MailChimp Email Marketing
Campaigner Email Marketing
Shopify E-Commerce
Sprout Social
Hootsuite
Zoho Survey
Slack
Microsoft Teams
Security and Network Monitoring
Spiceworks Network Monitor
Webroot SecureAnywhere AntiVirus
Bitdefender Antivirus Plus
Financial Tools
Agiloft Contract Management
Intuit QuickBooks Online Plus
SurePayroll
Document Management
Ascensio System OnlyOffice
Carbonite Server Backup
IDrive
Microsoft Power BI
Nutshell CRM
SiteGround Web Hosting
DreamHost Web Hosting
Tarkenton GoSmallBiz
Content Authoring and Learning Management
Rosetta Stone Catalyst
Articulate Storyline 2
TechSmith Camtasia Studio 8
Docebo
WizIQ
SurveyGizmo
Campaign Monitor GetFeedback
Helpdesk Software
HappyFox
Vivantio Pro
Freshdesk
Freshservice
Automation and Cross-Channel Communications
HubSpot
InfusionSoft
GetResponse
Zapier
IFTTT
Expert Software Applications Mindomo
Zoho Creator
Employee Time Tracking and Monitoring
TSheets
Hubstaff
Final Verdict
To conclude, we can say cloud computing for small businesses puts big-company capacity and capabilities within small businesses’ reach. With a controlled and minimum cost, small businesses can avail themselves of the services provided by state-of-the-art data centers along with highly trained technical experts.