Cloud computing is a major component of the Software as a Service (SaaS) industry which, within a few years of its evolution, has become a multibillion-dollar industry. In 2021 Statista reported the global SaaS market had an estimated worth of 152 billion US dollars. This figure is predicted to rise to 208 billion by the year 2023.
The astronomical growth in the cloud services industry is majorly attributed to the benefits it has over traditional storage media. Before the advent of cloud computing, applications and programs were downloaded on and retrieved from a server or physical computer. With cloud computing, however, these same kinds of applications and programs can be stored and retrieved directly from the internet. Cloud computing is known for its efficiency, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness.
Cloud computing has made doing business so much easier, especially for small businesses. You, as a small business owner, have a lot to gain from using cloud-based computing and incorporating it into your processes. How you manage and organize information goes a long way in ensuring the success of your business. Cloud services remove the stress from information organization and management, giving you time and energy to concentrate on other vital aspects of your business.
Here are five dynamic reasons why you should use cloud services in running your small business.
1. Flexibility
Cloud computing helps small businesses maintain a flexible approach to work. It allows you to work from anywhere and at any time. You can maintain your business on the cloud and give your employees and contractors access to vital data anytime and anywhere. For example, you may have your business in New York, but decide to travel to Europe to iron out the details of a contract. You can feed information on the cloud allowing your employees to stay abreast with the ongoings, helping the business thrive even in your absence.
2. Productivity
Cloud computing, is not only a time-saver but it removes barriers to communication and allows you to monitor the use of your information. It allows collaboration and transparency in a business - two terms that should not be taken for granted. Another great advantage of cloud computing is that it gives you an edge over your competitors. It gives you access to cutting-edge technology and allows you to stay on top of your game. It also allows you to stay in touch with your customers by taking advantage of the Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software.
3. Cost-Effectiveness
Cloud computing is much cheaper than traditional methods of data storage. A small business must save every penny it can for it to survive. Cloud computing allows a business to store massive amounts of data at a relatively cheap price. What’s more? Data space on the cloud is near unlimited; therefore, you do not have to be scared of storage space running out on you.
4. Protects Your Data and Information
Data theft is real and Information stealing and abuse are on the increase. If you're still using traditional storage systems then the likelihood of your information getting into the wrong hands is uncomfortably high. On the cloud, however, your data is protected and cannot be accessed unless you allow it to be accessed. You can manage the information you share. You may decide to give only trustworthy persons access to the most sensitive information or reserve it for only yourself. Storing your important data in the cloud also protects you from catastrophic data loss. Unlike risky physical mediums which can be wiped out by a computer or server crash storing your data on the cloud eliminates this risk and you can access your data even after a very long period of time.
5. Environmental Friendliness
The world is going green and it is important that you move with this trend, especially if you foresee your business staying a long time on this planet. Physical computing systems generate a lot of harmful by-products. The cloud is not physical and does not emit any harmful gas into the atmosphere. At least being on the cloud will give you a clear conscience that you have protected the environment in your own “little” way.
Considering a move to the cloud?
Any of the above reasons should be enough to convince you to move your business to the cloud; however, if you’re exceptionally hard to convince, then the five benefits together should make moving to the cloud a “no-brainer” for any small business.