Small businesses and the internet
Small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) have seen tremendous benefit from the internet, both in terms of cost-saving and outreach. By accessing the World Wide Web, even tiny SMB start-ups could penetrate markets that were previously unattainable. The Web has broken down geographical and economic barriers, enabling small firms to expand into the global economy without having to build expensive international offices and distribution points for products or services.
Small businesses and cloud computing
Cloud computing, as an extension of the internet and associated technologies, marks another quantum leap for SMB operations. Before virtualisation and the cloud, small enterprises were faced with the high cost of managing an in-house IT infrastructure. IT capital expenses included purchasing reliable and appropriate hardware, installing suitable software, paying for upgrades and maintenance, plus a salary for the IT guy. For many SMBs, maintaining a functional and effective IT infrastructure was often a target beyond reach.
The cloud, however, puts efficient management of your technology well within reach. Your data and files are part of substantial and collective IT infrastructure. Using hybrid cloud solutions, your data and files are stored remotely but you’ll have a 24/7 local access. Moreover, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that critical data is backed up regularly and is safe and secure. Using the cloud to manage your IT means you receive the same benefits as previously reserved for powerhouse corporations.
Benefitting from the cloud
There is no question that your SMB will undergo significant improvements by moving to the cloud. Let’s explore three notable ways in which your business will gain: cost reduction, efficient use of your IT and employment savings.
The cloud saves money
Technology and the maintenance thereof involves significant capital expenditure, irrespective of the size of a company. Almost every vendor, service and product provider alike, is online nowadays. As such, your business will depend on IT to function and show a profit. Systems do fail and you cannot afford to be offline. Whether you choose to implement mirror servers or rigorous data backup and recovery when downtime hits, you spend money. Migration to the cloud means your IT infrastructure is continuously monitored. Should downtime occur, you’ll experience minimal disruption and be up and running in no time. The added bonus is that you won’t have to hand over a fortune for additional supportive hardware.
The cloud means IT efficiency
SMBs, particularly retailers, may experience cyclical or seasonal sales peaks. This means that your expensive in-house IT infrastructure is not utilised to its full capacity throughout the year. Also, if your business unexpectedly grows there be new demands and opportunities. To meet these, you’ll need IT expansion which takes time, requires through planning and costs money. If your technology is secured in the cloud, any modifications to your IT infrastructure will be trouble free and cheap.
The cloud reduces employment costs
Most SMBs have a small in-house IT team or at least a single, highly regarded IT guy. IT professionals demand competitive salaries. As such, you want to get the most for your money. While the IT guy may have good intentions of developing strategies to promote productivity and profitability, the real picture is far from ideal. In-house IT support find themselves stuck in a troubleshooting rut, unable to fulfil their potential.
Even worse is when the IT team find themselves sitting around waiting for disaster to happen while still drawing a pay check. In this scenario, many precious labour hours go to waste. With your IT systems managed in the cloud, you won’t need to employ engineers to act as quick fixers or disaster recoverers. Cloud management will do that for you. Any IT consultants that you decide to employ will utilise their skills for the betterment of your company.
You need the cloud
The traditional model of an in-house IT guy or team doesn’t work well for most SMBs; it’s expensive and inefficient. With the cloud, you will have a remotely managed and monitored IT infrastructure, completely backed up and with 24/7 support. When you opt into the cloud, your capex and labour expenses are shared among countless SMBs. Cloud migration implies enormous economies of scale for your SMB.
At the end of the day, the cloud is a disrupting model; one which enables your business to benefit from trending technology and expert support. Historically, only large corporations could afford what the cloud offers. Now your SMB can indulge in the luxury. You need IT and you need the cloud.
