According to Data Science Central, the Software as a Service industry is set to be worth £131 billion by the year 2022. It’s safe to say that the astronomical growth of cloud computing, a major component of this industry, is to owe for this impressive figure.
The benefits that the cloud has for businesses are becoming more and more apparent, but it’s not only Silicon Valley’s biggest players who are making the shift. Small businesses are also benefiting thanks to the ease of use, flexibility and cost-savings that come with embracing the cloud.
It would be wise to make the most of what cloud services can do for your business, so here are five different ways your company can use the cloud.
Use Cloud-Based Software
As your business grows, daily operations such as accounting, admin, communication and staff management need to grow with it. This calls for software solutions that can streamline daily operations and save you valuable time. The problem is that enterprise software is seldom cheap.
Cloud-based software, on the other hand, is much more affordable thanks to the presence of flexible pricing plans that are based on your individual needs. Cost-savings aside, having software that is universally accessible on any device is also highly beneficial to your business, eliminating data redundancy and making communication easier.
Take Advantage of Collaboration Tools
On the topic of communication, cloud-based collaboration tools further benefit your business by allowing as many employees as needed to work together on a single platform towards the same goal. A simple example would be Google Drive, which can be accessed by anyone and from any device, making file-sharing effortless.
The same applies for most other Google services. Docs allows teams to work together on one document, Sheets makes it easy to compile, analyse and collect data, Slides lets your team put together presentations, and Google’s Jamboard allows employees to note down and discuss ideas with each other.
Back Up Your Data
There are a myriad of reasons why businesses end up losing crucial data, from hardware failures to ransomware to user error and perhaps most commonly, failing to perform backups.
Cloud services that allow you to back up crucial data eliminate the possibility of hardware failure and security breaches, as well as allowing you to access that data from any location.
Services such as UK Cloud are based on highly secure platforms that ensure your data is always kept safe and private. In addition to their strong security measures, pricing plans are based on exactly how much storage you need and will scale with your business as it grows.
Allow Employees to Work Remotely
The same collaboration tools that save you money and increase your efficiency also allow you to employ a remote workforce. This obviously has immense benefits for your business, such as improved productivity, better employee wellness and easier access to talented workers through outsourced positions.
The days of having to bring your team together in a physical space to discuss work are long gone. Cloud services make working together in the digital space a seamless process. Just imagine the amount of money you’ll save by having a smaller office.
Store Files on the Cloud
By investing in cloud-based file storage, you can completely eliminate the many cons that come with having physical storage or servers in the office. You won’t have to pay for an in-house IT expert, expensive storage devices, and the subsequent costs that come with running and maintaining them.
It should be clear by now that cloud services are something every business should invest in, no matter how small. Make moving to the cloud a priority and you will quickly see the benefits.
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
