Before the Internet, everything was legacy hardware and software. You turned your work on and off and it only came with you if you brought it. Most of the time, that wasn’t possible, being that it was confined on a heavy desktop computer.
After the Internet, everything can stream, from music to video, to documents and accounting spreadsheets. Cloud computing is nearly a $20 billion industry today. It’s a game-changer.
So, why does it make sense for small businesses? It’s packed with advantages. It works smarter, faster and is the smarter investment.
The Cloud Advantage
Non-cloud systems aren’t up-to-date, according to a Xero small business guide on the topic. It only works on one computer or device and only one person can access it. It’s also costly and complicated and very difficult to upgrade.
There’s also the chance that your hardware could break. So, why does it make sense? Because cloud allows technology infrastructure to be someone else’s problem.
With cloud, you rent infrastructure to store all of your software. The only thing you worry about is the computer or device you access that information from. You won’t need any servers or large IT investments because you’re investment is with a major cloud provider.
What About Security?
What about it? It’s very secure. The cloud is actually one of the most secure ways to store information because it’s run by professionals who have the sole job of keeping it secure and operating correctly.
It’s not uncommon for cloud providers, such as Amazon Web Services, to have multiple server sites, so in the event of a natural desire (let’s say a fire), all of your information is automatically shifted over to a server that’s operating. Just because part of the cloud is down doesn’t mean your business is down.
We’re Here to Talk About Business, Though
That’s right. By storing and tracking your business’ day-to-day accounting services in the cloud, you can access that information and have it update from anywhere in the world. That means giving yourself an easy-to-understand overview of your current financial position in real-time.
It also means automatic updates and worry-free maintenance so you can spend more time with your business and less time with your IT infrastructure.
Cloud also means less upfront business costs, which for a small business, are extremely important to keep low.
Cloud also allows for collaboration — a key component in every business. By allowing members of your business team interact with a piece of software and the data stored in that software,
Takeaway
The beauty of the cloud is the flexibility it gives you to run your business from anywhere in the world. You never have to worry updates or security, allowing you to just focus on your business. When you focus on your business, the possibilities are endless.
Image Credit: George Thomas
