The Benefits of Cloud Computing for Small Businesses

Grazed from Business2Community. Author: Rachel Craig.

What is cloud computing? Cloud computing is an Internet-based facility that allows users to access shared computer applications, storage and other resources through a network of remote servers, rather than each individual user installing hardware and software onto their on-site server and personal computer. It allows the user to store, manage and process data in exactly the same way as traditional computer systems and programmes, without the need to buy, install, manage and update a variety of expensive applications on one computer.

In cloud computing, you are renting a service rather than buying a product. You simply pay for what you use – much like a utility service – and the technical side is all taken care of by the host vendors that supply the applications. The data and files you create are stored in ‘The Cloud’ (on the web) and accessed through an internet browser from any device in any location; not just your personal computer. This offers so many benefits to the small business owner in terms of accessibility, flexibility, security, cost, time, energy consumption, competitiveness and disaster recovery…

Accessibility and flexibility

The biggest advantage of cloud computing is the ability to access, modify and save files from any number of devices in any location. Normally, if something has been saved on a personal computer, you can only access the file from that particular computer. This is rather restrictive. Cloud computing opens this up, allowing you to access your files from any phone, tablet, laptop or computer – as long as there’s an Internet connection, you can use any of these devices to access and work on your files and data. Consider email providers like Hotmail, AOL, Gmail, and Outlook: these are all a form of cloud computing. You don’t store your email on your computer; you access it from your computer by connecting to the Internet and logging in to your account in the ether…

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