Cloud computing is no longer optional for small businesses. It is now a must.

If you have not already migrated your software, platform and infrastructure to the cloud, you at least are considering it right now. According to Forbes, at no other point in time has there ever been such a need for the immediate availability of cloud-based IT resources than during COVID-19. Further, a survey commissioned in the United States shows that small business owners prefer cloud-based software over on-premise software, however, the barriers for cloud adoption include perceptions over cost, security and the ability to access content from multiple devices in any location.

Where there was previous resistance, the transformation to cloud computing has never been more time critical as it is today. As more and more businesses work digitally at an increasing rate, cloud decisions are being made rapidly. And so, they should! For that reason, I have outlined several reasons why cloud computing is no longer optional for small businesses:

Reason #1: Cloud adoption will happen regardless of your opinion

Whether you are ready or not, cloud computing is the new way of working. It is no longer a question of ‘if’ but rather ‘when’ – and that moment is right now. Today, cloud adoption is happening worldwide without your permission! In fact, in March 2020, Microsoft reported a 775 percent spike in demand for cloud services as a result of COVID-19. Rather than fight the inevitable, embrace it. Make that one-time, permanent decision to migrate to the cloud because eventually, you will need to it anyway.

Reason #2: Cloud computing yields a return on investment

Moving your small business into the cloud is a necessary investment and one that pays off in the long run. Cloud computing can double your productivity, accelerate connectivity and safeguard valuable company data. It has even been reported that cloud applications deliver 1.7 times more ROI than on-premise ones and cost 40 percent less than IT consulting. Not to mention, the cost of potentially lost data versus the initial investment is not even comparable. A sum value can hardly be attributed to the loss and recovery of documents and intellectual property – especially if it is co-owned by your customers. Do not risk it by delaying any longer – take that step and choose a cloud hosting service provider.

Reason #3: No business is immune to unforeseen disaster

For over 17 years, I have witnessed disasters in unforeseen circumstances that have led to the loss of valuable data. In almost all cases, the risk of losing company data could have been easily mitigated if a more proactive approach were made to migrate to the cloud. Take the New York City black-out in 2003 as an example. As a company, we have witnessed an unprecedented black-out that affected several states in the north-east and mid-west as well as parts of Canada. Luckily, we were managing servers out of a tier one data center and therefore our clients were still operational during the outage. Today, we are utilizing Microsoft Azure to provide both hybrid and standalone managed cloud services that allows access, recovery and backup – even when disaster strikes.

Reason #4: Physical servers can be unreliable

Currently, thousands of architecture, engineering and construction firms are running their software and networks from physical servers. Traditional servers within fixed offices are at risk of fire, water or electrical damage, which can make it an embarrassing phone call with your client if you can’t retrieve historical records and documents. You need to find a better way to work in situations that removes the requirement of a physical server and in case there is an incident in the building. To ensure business continuity and connectivity in circumstances that cannot be predicted, keep your data safe by migrating it to the cloud.

Reason #5: Offices will soon be paperless

A big game-changer for business owners is the shift towards a paperless office. Most large enterprises have already made the change, with small-to-medium sized businesses catching up. Soon, papers to transact, sign and store will be a thing of the past. Digitalizing documents simplifies access if made available in a centralized cloud-based portal. I have helped professionals such as accountants, lawyers and medical practitioners move to a paperless system, who are otherwise weighed down with paperwork collections. My clients have welcomed the transformation gladly as they no longer need to secure physical storage space and waste precious time in archive retrieval.

Reason #6: Remote access is the new way of working

Given the current situation with COVID-19, you and your staff are likely working remotely from home while practicing social distancing. Considering the volatility of our ever-changing world, the ability to work from anywhere and at any time is no longer the exception but rather, the rule. Currently, contractors, employees and business owners are setting up a dedicated home office right now as the requirement for remote access will only continue to rise. These real-life scenarios are playing out before our eyes and shaping the way we work. Therefore, think seriously about cloud computing as a method to work from virtually anywhere 24/7.

Reason #7: Traditional offices will become shared spaces

Further to the work-from-home scenario, medium-sized companies with commercial office spaces are reconsidering their leasing options given they can still be operational from the cloud. Occupying large office spaces no longer makes sense when the cloud infrastructure keeps business afloat in a virtual office environment. Instead of paying rent, companies can commission virtual IT and administrative contractors to support staff while working remotely, cutting costs on expensive overheads.

There is no doubt about it: cloud computing is here to stay. Though the notion of cloud migration may seem daunting, it can be planned and executed seamlessly according to your budget and needs. Get in touch with your local cloud hosting service provider today and start the conversation.

To learn more about application hosting, managed cloud services, data recovery and IT infrastructure within the field of architecture, engineering and construction, please reach out to me by email sales@aeccloud.com or call (212) 505-0381.