The cloud is the best thing that ever happened to small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). That’s because technologies that were previously available only to large enterprises are now within their reach.
However, not all SMBs are willing to make the transition to the cloud, either because they think it’s expensive or less safe than on-premises systems. These myths ought to be debunked, because neither is true about cloud-based technologies.
In this handy guide, we list some of the ways cloud computing will improve your Maryland-based small business’s operations.
Increased productivity
Cloud technology gives business users access to their data and applications from anywhere at any time, using any internet-connected device. This flexibility makes employees more productive because they’re not limited to working in the office using desktop computers from 9-5.
Cloud-based productivity applications from Microsoft deliver useful Office programs including Outlook email, Word, and Excel, and marketing tools like Hosted Microsoft Dynamics CRM in one centralized environment called Office 365. This allows employees to collaborate with colleagues more easily and to serve customers at any time, thanks to cloud-based Internet phones that route desktop extensions to mobile devices.
Automated security patches
It’s crucial to install software updates on all your computers’ operating systems and applications to reduce their vulnerability to viruses. But patch management is tedious, especially for organizations with small IT teams.
Cloud service providers like NetQuest handle patch management for you by maintaining and managing updates and patches on all your cloud-based software for you -- whether it’s Office 365, your CRM tools, or your cloud-based VoIP phone system -- so you can focus on business-critical projects.
Redundant data system storage
System failures and data breaches can occur no matter how sound and secure your IT infrastructure is. Every business needs a robust backup and disaster recovery strategy to ensure it recovers quickly from natural catastrophes, man-made errors, or cyberattacks that install devastating ransomware on your network.
The cloud is ideal for backup and recovery and it has significantly improved companies’ business continuity strategies in recent years. By storing your backups in highly secure data centers on redundant servers, your data will be safe and can be retrieved immediately so you can get back to business right away after a disaster.
Cloud-based backup plans also eliminate the costs of maintaining on-premises servers and of hiring server technicians to support them.
Simplified IT budget
Spending an inordinate amount of funds on server management is hardly the best use of your IT budget. And even if your company can afford to build, manage, and upgrade its own data center, there are plenty of unexpected costs that will surprise you.
Not so with the cloud, which delivers solutions to SMBs in bundles that reduce overall IT spending and simplifies budgeting. You no longer have to account for server maintenance, upgrades, and fixes as individual expenses because they’re included in your cloud package for a fixed, predictable monthly fee.
Improved security
Recent studies show that a majority of data breaches are caused by human error. So whether you keep your data and applications in the cloud or on-premises, it will always be vulnerable to cyberthreats unless you implement serious antimalware software, encryption tools, and intrusion prevention systems.
But do you really have time to manage your data’s security all by yourself? Cloud service providers assign dedicated technicians who are on guard 24/7 so you can work 24/7 growing your business.
Cloud computing has become indispensable to many Baltimore businesses because of its numerous benefits and cost-efficiency. As a leading cloud services provider in Maryland, NetQuest has seen many companies reap the cloud’s benefits, and we’d like to offer the same to you. Get in touch with our cloud experts to learn more.
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