Cloud computing
Do you know there is a good chance you have already made use of some form of cloud computing? If you are one of the 600 million registered users of Hotmail, Yahoo!Mail or Gmail, then you’ve had some experience with cloud computing. Instead of running an email program on your computer, you log into a web email account remotely. The software and storage for your account doesn’t exist on your computer – it’s on the service’s computer cloud.
‘Cloud’ computing refers broadly to the transfer of running an application and storing data processes away from your own computer, to a centrally run and maintained computer which is then accessed by businesses on a pay-per use basis via the web. This means your server is no longer in your office – it runs as part of a larger system in a data centre somewhere or it can be that you use an application such as email or an accounting application that ‘sits in the cloud’ – a modern twist on ‘on the internet’.
There are significant advantages to cloud computing for small businesses. Cloud computing enables small businesses to access an array of previously inaccessible services and software solutions without requiring their own extensive (and often expensive) hardware, staff training or implementation expertise. You need only the basic skills required to access and use the software. You do not need to understand how it functions or know how it is maintained – that is taken care of by the experts running the computers ‘in the cloud’.
With developments in wireless broadband, smartphones, free urban wi-fi networks and other new technologies, the infrastructure required to successfully utilise cloud computing in businesses improves on a daily basis. Small businesses can now access cost effective and cutting edge IT services that were previously the preserve of large multinational organisations with in-house IT departments.
As an example, when updated software versions become available, your small business can stay up to date without incurring upgrade costs as patches are installed centrally, thereby negating the need for users to individually update their software. Additionally, increased hardware demands caused by newer and more advanced systems won’t exert pressure on your small business’ computing infrastructure but instead on the service provider's own host systems. Long term IT hardware spend will be significantly cut.
There are some valid concerns with respect to security – there are those uncomfortable entrusting their business critical data in the cloud. Furthermore, the quality of your internet service becomes critical. How easily you access the cloud will depend on having a fast, reliable internet service. When your business is offline or unable to access the cloud, it will be out of action.
As more small businesses gradually move over to the cloud, each business owner will need to assess for themselves the benefits against the risks before deciding whether and when to take their business to the ‘cloud’.