Business Made Simple with the Cloud

More and more small businesses are migrating to the cloud to help reduce expenses and increase productivity. It’s estimated that by the end of this decade, 80% of small businesses will be on the cloud, doubling the percentage of just a few years ago.

If you’re thinking about migrating your business to the cloud, there are several advantages you should consider:

Costs are lower. Cloud computing is an easy way to save on expenses, by getting more out of your hardware. Using the cloud increases the value of physical server space, which means businesses can accomplish more with what they have, seeing lower power costs as well as decreased maintenance and support costs.

Collaboration is increased. Using the cloud allows your employees to work together more efficiently, as they write, edit and upload documents. Management can access, track and oversee the progress of individual employees and work groups and can limit what employees can access.

Flexibility is enhanced. The cloud allows both management and employees to break away from the confines of the office. Authorized users can access files, documents and information on their computer or other devices (laptop, smartphone or tablet.) Your business no longer needs to be tied down to the old “9 to 5” mentality, while employee creativity and productivity are enhanced.

Integration is encouraged. Working in the cloud opens up new possibilities for integration with cloud-based providers that provide HR, accounting and marketing services. This frees up the time and resources of small business owners, allowing them to concentrate on increasing their revenues and sales.

If your business is new to the cloud, here are some ways you can use this transformative technology to organize information and manage your time and expenses better.

• You can use cloud services, like GoogleDrive, Dropbox or OneDrive, to store files, documents, and information that can be easily accessed by employees. These services also have mobile versions, allowing employees to access their files and documents from their laptops, tablets, and/or phones outside of the office.
• Business email is more dynamic in the cloud with services like Exchange Online or Office365, making it easier to sync with your PCs and mobile devices and allows integration with PCs and other business apps as your business grows.
• Customer relationship management (CRM) is enhanced in the cloud, with platforms like Salesforce.com or Microsoft Dynamics. They allow your sales team to work together cohesively to grows your business and create a pipeline of leads.
• Simplify your accounting with QuickBooksOnline, FreshBooks.com or similar software, while you track time with OfficeTime, Zoho and others.

To learn more about the broadband highway that can take your business to the cloud, click here to reach a local Mediacom Business Account Executive.