Small and Medium Businesses (SMBs) have always faced a tough fight with prominent organizations in their industry. Particularly for SMBs, it would be fair to assume that there is no sphere left untouched with the power of the Internet. Almost everything is based on the Internet these days.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic made the world come to a standstill, Cloud has become the next big thing. Small businesses with employees working from home absolutely need the power of cloud technology. Many companies still have not switched to the Cloud because they haven’t yet compared what they are missing.
If you run a small business and aim to make it bigger, there are many ways in which cloud hosting for SMBs can benefit you.
In this article, we will compare various aspects of running a business with or without the Cloud.
Comparison Between SMB Operations with or without Cloud
1. Data Management
A common pain point for small businesses is collaborating on the same file between and within departments, ensuring that everyone uses the correct file version. Sending files back and forth can cause a risk of losing file version control. With this loss of control comes the risk of errors in the business-critical data that may reach the client’s end, causing unexpected consequences.
With cloud hosting for business applications, you can allow various team members to work simultaneously on the same data file. This collaboration eliminates redundant tasks and increases productivity at work. You get better control over the data and reduce the risk of data errors. The ease of maintaining data integrity is one of the primary benefits of Cloud hosting for SMBs. With the help of a cloud hosting provider, you can host your application on Cloud and benefit from this technology.
2. Data Security
Work-related information, when shared across emails or in person, becomes more vulnerable to theft. Cybersecurity has become a prominent issue for small businesses. Recent stats indicate that 43% of cyber-attacks target small businesses. One successful cyber-attack can effectively cripple a business. Tackling these attacks is one of the biggest challenges for SMBs.
Cloud technology can prevent cyberattacks from causing any damage to the business. Most cloud service providers keep their servers in high-tech, Tier 3 or 4 data centers to provide maximum data security to their clients. Working in the cloud gives you enterprise-grade protection for your data and applications. It also minimizes the need to share crucial data over less-secure email channels. With your workforce working on cloud-hosted applications, you can enjoy peace of mind and focus more on business growth.
Also Read: How to to Manage Cybersecurity Risks for a CPA Firm
3. Work Productivity
Slow response time is one of the biggest hurdles of growth for many SMBs. In the current, fast-paced world, any delay at the employees’ end can cause further delays in delivering the product or service to the end consumer. In today’s world, customers expect rapid responses and quick resolutions. With so many hurdles that cause unexpected delays, meeting consumer demands becomes a difficult challenge.
Cloud hosting works as a much-needed solution to enhance work productivity for SMBs. When your workforce collaborates in real-time over the cloud, tasks get handled much more quickly and efficiently. As a result, your consumers will get what they need without delays. Whether it be fulfilling clients’ urgent needs or handling multiple applications, you get enhanced operational capability with the cloud.
4. Software Updates
Running a successful SMB involves the use of multiple applications for various tasks. Businesses often use outdated versions of software, causing slow down at work and various data errors. These businesses also lose out on the latest functions from the updated software. For instance, if you use QuickBooks for accounting needs, updating it to the latest version might have caused accounting process errors. Keeping software up to date becomes the responsibility of the business owners.
Cloud hosting enables business owners to leave the task of software updates to the hosting provider. The chosen cloud solution provider will ensure that you work on the latest, most secure software version hosted on the cloud.
Recommended Read: A Beginner’s Guide to Software As A Service (SaaS)
5. Technical Support
SMBs running various business applications hosted on the on-premise servers frequently need support from IT professionals. Many technical issues can lead to significant downtime for businesses. In some cases, bad fixes leave the local-hosted applications more vulnerable to future threats. There is always a pressing need to invest in IT specialists for proactive support.
On the other hand, cloud hosting service providers take charge of technical support, leaving the business owner worry-free about possible issues. Most cloud providers offer round-the-clock technical support. You can call the experts at any time and get the problems fixed without delay.
The Bottom Line
This comparative study of running an SMB with or without cloud technology can help you make an informed decision for your business. You can discuss your needs and challenges with a renowned cloud service provider to host business-critical apps in the cloud. Make sure you select a cloud service provider who has enough experience to work for a diverse clientele. Switch to the cloud today and experience rapid growth!
