It seems like everywhere you turn, more and more people are operating in "the cloud.” Cloud computing is still a relatively new concept, emerging only in the last decade and yet, many small to medium sized businesses are reluctant to adopt. Most business owners and operators are short on time, which often means that matters regarding IT, network and infrastructure can take a back seat.

Though taking a walk through tech-talk land may not seem like a priority for you, this couldn’t be further from the truth. The cloud is where small businesses need to be. To save you the trouble of spending a lot of time researching IT jargon on Wikipedia, we’ve compiled a simple list of reasons why cloud migration is a big win for your company.

1. Data is accessible 24/7

Have you ever needed to quickly locate a document, quote or estimate, but instead found yourself bogged down searching hard drives, USB’s and computer network drives? A task that really should only take 60 seconds can soon turn into a 10 minute ordeal, making efficiency basically non-existent throughout the day.

With the cloud, you can access all your files anytime, from anywhere and virtually on any device. From the desktop to laptop, tablet and smartphone, you retrieve, edit and send important files in a flash, thanks to everything being stored in the cloud.

When you stop to think about it, exactly how important is 24/7 accessibility? A survey conducted among small business owners showed that the primary benefit of cloud storage was easy access to data. The ability to pull data and information on demand is a huge advantage of cloud storage and one that every can improve efficiency within your organization.

2. Reduce the risk of data loss

Performing back-ups on hard drives and servers is a traditional way to store data but it comes with limitations. External hard drives can break, computers can be vulnerable to viruses and servers may be potentially exposed to natural disasters such as flood and fire. Not to mention, the cost of insuring all your hardware – the costs and risks add up, right?

Cloud storage gives you automation, synchronization and security in a way that has completely revolutionized the IT industry. As many as 91% of companies are now operating in the cloud, according to a 2018 survey with many companies adopting a hybrid model. When it comes to data storage and back-up, a combination of both physical hardware and cloud can significantly lower the risk of data loss, giving you extra peace of mind (and extra time, too!)

3. Explore new ways to connect

Thanks to the innovation of faster internet speeds and 24/7 mobility, businesses can find new ways to find and interact with customers. The cloud has transformed what was previously a fragmented connection between businesses and customers into one that is hyperconnected.

With multiple communication channels such as social media, web chat, blogs and email, small businesses can connect with existing customers as well as reach out to potential prospects more seamlessly than ever before. The cloud has allowed small businesses to communicate by sharing high-quality video, media and other valuable sales tools in real time.

4. Push productivity levels even higher

It is every director’s dream to improve productivity, but how do you quantify that when it comes to the cloud enterprise? An analysis of over 70 case studies on cloud computing showed that cloud applications deliver 170% more return on investment than on-premise ones. By audting CRM, content management, project management and HR applications, Nucleus assert that organizations that invest in the cloud will see faster deployment versus traditional infrastructure.

Cloud applications require 40% less consulting (Nucleus Research, 2018) and considerably less dependency on technical support, saving cost and time. Further, periodic upgrades that are automated via the cloud can drive greater productivity in areas such as remote access, integrated analytics, improved workflows and more user-friendly user faces.

We have further resources to help you on your journey towards cloud migration and IT transformation:

Move your small business to the cloud in 2020

Why Migrate your IT environments to the Cloud?

Cloud based solutions: Misperceptions and Reality

If you have any questions, please reach out to us by email sales@aeccloud.com or call (212) 505-0381. We’re more than happy to help you be digital-ready in 2020.