Technology and IT innovations are transforming the way we do business, and the shift to cloud computing is a powerful and pervasive example. Don’t get left behind as your competitors use the cloud to become more efficient and improve their customer relationships. It’s time to learn how cloud technology could reduce costs and improve your business agility to meet tomorrow’s challenges. But where does a business leader start? What is the cloud, and why should your small company be interested?
What is Cloud?
With cloud computing, the Internet can connect you to a network of remote, virtual servers that run applications and also store, manage and process data. Cloud can replace your on-site server closet or desktop computer, and its flexibility can allow you to almost instantly scale computing power up or down.
Cloud adoption, or the practice of virtualization, offers your business flexibility, automation and better mobility for employees to be productive and access applications from anywhere. Businesses that use cloud services report that they improve processes, reduce risks, decrease downtime and cut costs. Money and time saved can be redeployed for something more strategic.
Why Cloud for My Small Business?
Businesses are using cloud to host their websites, email programs, databases, testing and development functions, backup files and more.
- Email programs hosted in the cloud provide full-featured email capabilities – the same ones you have in the office – whether you’re home, on the road or anywhere in the world. You can log in with just an Internet connection. The features you depend on, like your calendar and directories, are always available to you.
- Back up your data. We already know that every business should back up its data outside of its primary location. The cloud stores data someplace far from your office, protecting it from local weather, power disruptions or any event that might restrict access to your main location. No longer will you buy expensive storage devices or install, configure or maintain that hardware. In the cloud, your service provider already invested in the equipment, which is maintained as part of your service.
- Spam, viruses and security breaches scare every business owner, because the consequences of downtime or losing your customers’ data are grave. Your cloud-based service provider should offer security experts and the strongest security features available. Updated spam filtering is just one example of a security service you can purchase in the cloud.
- File-sharing programs improve communication among your employees and customers. More businesses are relying on secure document sharing, instant messaging and video conferencing to get work done together. Buying these services in the cloud eliminates purchasing licenses and installing or updating complex software. You can give your staff current tools without increasing costs and without managing more tasks.
Make Your Company More Strategic with Cloud
- Spend more time doing what you do best. Your business needs to run efficiently so you can grow it. In reality, you’re pulled in countless, less-efficient directions. Imagine if your money and your team were focused on sales planning or product development for the years ahead instead of fixing a server that went down – again – and renewing software licenses – again. The cloud business model offers freedom from never-ending IT tasks that chain you down but do not add value. Free up more time in your days, and eliminate the need to closely monitor and maintain your underlying infrastructure. Focus your precious intellectual capital on what matters most.
- Streamline to go faster. Instead of spending weeks or months purchasing and installing equipment, cloud can be ready within hours.
- Look, act and perform more like a big company. Cloud computing has leveled the playing field among smaller and larger companies when it comes to enterprise software. Years ago, it would be nearly impossible for a small company to provide what we consider “enterprise-grade” software. Today, cloud services allow small companies to purchase subscriptions to cloud-based enterprise applications. QCBN
By Eric Noble & Baltazar Torres
Ready to consult with an expert about cloud options for your business? CenturyLink, the third largest telecommunications company in the United States and a recognized leader in the network services market, offers global cloud infrastructure and hosted IT solutions for businesses of all sizes. To learn more, contact CenturyLink at 602-397-7828 or visit www.centurylink.com/connected
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