Adapt to change with off-site data management.
Cloud computing and storage solutions are perfect for small and rapidly expanding businesses and start-ups, mainly because they offer an affordable and flexible solution to document storage without requiring a bank of expensive servers in need of constant maintenance to be kept on site.
But there’s another advantage, according to My Wealth Cloud’s Chris Willford – having storage solutions kept off-site and in the cloud allows small, expanding businesses to better adapt to change.
"For a fast-growing organisation, it’s easier to expand in the cloud than to upgrade to a series of larger local servers," said Chris. "And you have avoided obsolescence at the same time.
"If your business suddenly takes off or suffers a collapse in volume, then cloud computing solutions give your business a good chance of adapting to the change in circumstances."
The expert also noted that the trend for SMEs to turn to off-site data storage and management is already becoming prevalent due to the sheer volume of data being produced and stored by companies.
It’s something that, in part, is fuelled by broadband speeds – without the throttling of previous dial-up connections, companies can afford to produce and send large files over high speed fibre connections, but in turn require more storage to cope with it.
It’s also likely that cloud computing will blaze a trail for similar subscription services – turning sensitive data and vital services over to third-party providers – in the future.
This week HMRC became the first major government department to commit its data storage needs to the cloud, and with major corporations shaking off previous security fears surrounding such subscription services, uptake could be set to rocket.
"The so-called subscription economy will continue as individuals and businesses learn to pay for what they need, rather than tying up capital in fixed assets or versions of software that may become obsolete," said Chris. "Small organisations that use cloud computing also avoid the distraction of having to manage and maintain a local IT infrastructure."