The obstacle to many business owner’s success isn’t a lack of knowledge about the tools they need to maximize productivity and minimize costs. It’s a shortage of capital needed to invest in those tools and a scarcity of resources necessary to maintain them.

 Undeniably, business IT is one of those tools. It plays a huge part in improving service delivery, product quality, and cost controls. Backtrack ten years though and such benefits would’ve come at tremendous expense, something most small- to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) couldn’t afford.

 Today, everything has changed. Cloud technology makes it possible for any sized company to partake of an immense array of hi-tech productivity-enhancing tools. And it simplifies IT management and reduces operational costs, which is why it has become a prerequisite for growth especially for SMBs.

 We know that’s a bold statement which begs questions like “What exactly can cloud computing do for my business? When is the best time to migrate?” We answer these questions below.

 Improve collaboration

Cloud computing lets your employees access company data and applications from anywhere, at anytime, and on any device with an internet connection. This enables your teams to collaborate on demand, see updates in real-time, and minimize discrepancies and errors.

 Furthermore, cloud-based applications often come with more advanced features than desktop applications. Office 365, for example, facilitates access to a greater range of services than its traditional desktop counterpart, Office 2016. It also offers more storage space per user, features more robust security measures, and integrates with more third-party applications.

 Enhance integration

Cloud technology can be integrated with countless applications, all of which offer substantial advantages over a traditional on-site infrastructure. Applications will always be in sync with each other, providing access to the most recent data. In fact, many cloud applications are interoperable so you’ll no longer have to switch between them to get things done.

 Better mobility and flexibility

Your speedy 4G network beats having to use slow public WiFi any day. The same goes with the cloud -- on-the-go access to critical data and applications allows your mobile workforce to be more productive than if they rely on on-premises infrastructure that restricts mobile access.

 What’s more, cloud services are subscription-based, allowing you to add or remove services and scale up or down as needed. This is extremely beneficial for SMBs that often experience changes to their business requirements.

 Around the clock security and redundancy

Any experienced cloud provider should offer cloud security protocols that allow you to sleep easy at night. At SimplyClouds, we ensure data encryption as it enters and leaves the cloud-hosted servers, access control so confidential data are only accessible by authorized personnel, security logging and monitoring, intrusion protection, and more.

 You won’t have to worry about systems failure from incidents like power outages, human errors, or disasters like with on-premises infrastructure, either. All your information will be backed up in secure data centers and will always be available.

 Hassle-free management

Process automations are made effortless in the cloud as everything is hosted in one place. But one of the best things about cloud technology is how easy it is for business owners to maintain. Everything from software updates and system monitoring to routine maintenance are taken care of by a cloud provider like us. This gives you more time to focus on other aspects of your business.

 Reduce costs

The scalability of the cloud means you can maintain cost of various operations and allocate your capital to other areas more effectively. It reduces on-premises infrastructure expenses by allowing you to operate without a physical server, thereby eliminating the high maintenance cost that comes with it.

 If not now, then when?

Seventy four percent of tech CFOs surveyed by Forbes predict that cloud computing will have the most measurable impact on their business this year. International Data Corporation reveals that cloud spending is growing at 4.5 times the rate of IT spending since 2009, and is expected to grow six times that rate through 2020.

 Needless to say, the longer you go without cloud computing, the further you’ll fall behind your competitors. The cost-cutting end of the equation alone is enough for SMBs like yours to consider a migration. And with a multitude of benefits that outpace that of an on-premises infrastructure, the real question is not “if” you should migrate, but “when”.

 As a cloud provider who has adopted the technology since its inception, we have extensive experience with cloud customization, deployment, and maintenance. Equally important, we value the relationships we have with our clients and offer sound solutions that make sense to their needs and budget. So if you have any other questions about the cloud, or are considering a migration, give us a call. We’re happy to advise.