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5 Barriers to Understanding Cloud Computing

Cloud is a hot topic – the media can’t seem to get enough of it – yet a surprisingly large number of small business owners don’t think it’s for them.
25 February, 2014
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When asked about cloud computing in surveys people know it’s a good idea – they might even know that it could save them money but never the less they hesitate about taking it further.

Why is that? We think there are several factors which stop people from bringing their IT up to date. Some are questions you might be reluctant to ask and some are common misconceptions about cloud as a whole. In this blog post we look at the top 5.

1. We don’t really know what it is

At its simplest, cloud computing is computing based on the internet. Instead of running applications or programmes from software downloaded onto a physical computer or server located on your premises – cloud computing allows you to access applications over the internet.

2. It’s only for big companies

This is a common misconception. Lots of small enterprises feel that cloud services are aimed exclusively at the big corporations and yet arguably small businesses have more to gain from the cloud because it is cheaper to run. Many packages out there were created with SMEs in mind.

3. We are fine doing things the way we always have done

Small businesses in the early years have fewer employees and less data meaning tasks can be managed relatively easily. But if you aren’t planning for future growth you could come unstuck. As your customer base grows and your turnover increases you are going to need to upgrade to take care of this – cloud applications scale up and grow with you allowing you to keep tabs efficiently on your growing business. 

4. Making changes is expensive, disruptive and takes a lot of time 

Changes to traditional infrastructure facilities can take months to get going but not cloud – the switch is quick and efficient – we got ours up and running in 24 hours and it saves you money because you pay a subscription as you go and you only pay for what you use.

5. We are too busy running the business to find out about the options

It might seem harsh to say but this is short term thinking. Staying with legacy systems can deny you the edge and allow your competitors to get ahead. Updating your IT is not as scary as it seems – things have changed and a short conversation with a reputable cloud provider will quickly reassure you that it is not nearly as complicated or costly as you think. There is nothing to fear from the cloud!

In Cloud Solutions offer a cloud package called Business By Design to small and medium sized enterprises. It is designed by SAP for high end design, security and on-going support. Visit us at the Elite Business Show Stand 167 For more information on how SAP Business ByDesign can help your business, please visit www.incloudsolutions.co.uk.