Are Cloud Services More Beneficial For Small Businesses?

Does your business currently work from the Cloud or do you still use the more traditional methods of working? Moving to the Cloud will allow you to reduce business costs as you will be able to use emails, applications, software and access files remotely as well as access your files from any location.

Cloud services are quoted on a utility based pricing model, which means this can work out to be a cost effective solution for your business as you only pay for what you use on a monthly basis. You will not pay an excess amount and only using services which your business requires. A cloud service can also increase productivity and provides further flexibility verses an onsite solution as files and applications can be accessed when the user is away from the office, so working from home or remotely can become a big part of your business model.

Using a cloud based service also provides you with resiliency and redundancy. For example, if your local system was not available your business operations would stop (e.g. emails or file access) – while if you were to have these services based in the cloud, users can continue to work as the systems are hosted externally in a secure and robust datacentre.

It is important to have a detailed migration plan when choosing to move to the cloud. At Southbank IT a phased approach would be taken when moving your services to the cloud. You may wish to initially move email offsite and thereafter consider data to be moved at a later stage. You also should consider whether you want your confidential data (e.g. payroll or personal employee details) stored in a cloud service or for this to be based locally onsite?

At Southbank IT, we can advise and guide you if you are considering moving to the Cloud and help your business manage its costs.

What is your opinion on moving to the Cloud?

Posted: 10/04/2013