Small businesses serve as an engine for growth and innovation while providing job opportunities. Additionally, the story behind most of today’s multi-billion dollar enterprises is that of humble beginnings. That implies that small entities are an integral part of any country’s economy. As such, small business owners are always looking for ways to improve their operations.
One of the ways such entrepreneurs can drive growth is through cloud services. Small firms are now joining the league of big players in the market thanks to cloud capabilities. One can either outsource or deploy cloud services in-house.
On-Premise vs. Outsourced Cloud Services
It is a fact that small business owners focus on maximizing their resources. For that reason, expensive investments may not be ideal for growing firms. On-premise cloud services will require you to acquire the necessary hardware and maintain the same in-house, which is quite costly. Outsourcing serves as the ideal alternative to in-house cloud deployment for small firms.
The reason is that your cloud services provider assumes the responsibility of providing the hardware and maintenance services for such resources. All that happens offsite. That, in turn, saves you the cost of both space and on-premise installations.
Here are some of the reasons why cloud services are a viable option for small business operators.
1. It Is Secure
Generally, securing a centralized database from cyber threats is more convenient than protecting sporadic data across multiple devices. So, by opting for cloud services, all your company data will remain in a central location. That suggests that preserving the integrity of the information you store in the cloud with the help of your service provider will not be a problem.
Additionally, if you lose one of the devices you use to log into the cloud, your data will remain inaccessible to unauthorized persons. You only need to change the password to access the cloud network in this case. Doing so acts as a security precaution.
2. Reduces Cost
First and foremost, you will not incur any hardware expenses if you engage a cloud services provider. The reason is that such service providers avail all the resources you need for the deployment of cloud services. Setting up an in-house IT department is not necessary. Also, you do not need to upgrade your current business systems when you opt for cloud services.
The fact that you will be using the resources your services provider avails implies that you can run your operations on the cloud using the systems you already have in-house. If you want to create additional users on the cloud network, you can do so by paying a nominal fee, which is cost-effective as well.
3. Facilitates Access to Better Features
Small entities can now leverage the digital revolution without massive investment in equipment and human resources thanks to cloud services. The reason is that cloud services facilitate access to the most powerful platforms, infrastructure, and software in the world, no matter your firm’s physical location.
Additionally, users can access the equipment they need round the clock through their services providers since cloud computing streams applications from the internet. The implication, in this case, is that cloud services extend accessibility beyond the walls of your enterprise, which is an added advantage for small entities.
4. Promotes Automation
Administrative tasks are a constant headache for small business owners, and that is why automation is a necessity. Some may imagine that automating tasks within a small firm is expensive. Well, that is not the case for those who invest in the cloud. The fact that cloud computing brings automation to small businesses suggests that you can improve your operations using this service.
You will also note that cloud services automate repetitive tasks, thereby reducing errors and ultimately improving the quality of the output. Automation of digital tasks saves on time and eliminates redundant data entry time too. As such, you have a better opportunity to grow your operations through cloud services without increasing your payroll.
5. Makes Provision for Scaling
Procuring additional IT hardware as your business expands may be necessary, which can be expensive in one way or another. In case you downsize after such an investment, the equipment you purchase may become redundant, and you may still incur the cost of additional space. Cloud computing allows your small firm to manage fluctuating demand.
So, it becomes cost-effective to scale up or down over a cloud solution. For instance, if you want to scale up, your services provider can create new users over the cloud network. On the other hand, when an employee leaves your firm, your provider will simply remove or delete that user from the cloud after securing the data.
Cloud computing can scale bandwidth and processing power as well. That will grant you access to the resources that support growth.
6. Supports Collaboration and Remote Work
Offsite operations are currently the buzzword around the world in light of the present situation. Part of the reasons why most small businesses fail is the failure to adapt. The current turn of events places a demand for small entrepreneurs to adjust if they want their operations to thrive. Cloud computing promotes adaptability by supporting remote work and collaboration.
So, whether you want to save the cost of space or work with individuals from around the globe, cloud services will prove a worthwhile investment. That means that your workers will be able to work together remotely on various projects while delivering accordingly when you opt for cloud services. You only need access to cloud-based workflow and file sharing apps that track the progress of work in this case.
The bottom line here is that cloud computing can enhance productivity through collaboration tools.
Conclusion
Cloud computing is the level playing field that allows small business operators to compete with big brands. If you are not using cloud services, your enterprise is losing the benefits of using such a resource, and running your operations may become expensive. Cloud computing offers the solutions that your business needs to adapt, grow, and enhance efficiency going forward.
If you need more information on the benefits of moving to the cloud, contact us today!
