For the non-techie amongst us, you might think of cloud computing as programs floating around on fluffy white clouds up in the sky somewhere.

In the simplest terms, cloud or hosted computing is a server or group of servers at an offsite location allowing you to store and access data over the internet instead of running  applications and software on desktop computers or in house servers.

What can a move to the cloud offer smaller businesses?It gives small businesses access to technologies previously out of their reach, allowing you to compete with other companies both small and large.

Flexibility:

With almost unlimited storage capacity you are free to scale up or down as quickly as you need. Much like buying electricity, you can buy as much or as little from one day to the next allowing you to handle the boom times and scale back during quieter periods without having to go through complicated onsite hardware updates and changes.

Access anywhere:

With high speed internet connection the workplace of the future is quickly becoming anyplace. Cloud computing enables you to access critical data wherever you are, using various devices such as smartphones and tablet’s. Great if you have remote workers or employees in the field.

 Security:

The Cloud by it’s nature is a shared resource so security is a concern for many. Nothing is 100% safe whether it’s on your hard drive beneath your desk or on a server in your server room. The cloud can offer you a higher grade of security with regular updates and compliance with regulatory and industry standards.

Cost:

Cloud computing is a cost effective way to maintain your IT systems. The cost of running traditional desktop software soon add up  with licensing fees, upgrades, security and physical resources.

So if you are considering a move to the cloud give us a call, our IT Support team are well placed, based on knowledge and experience to offer independent advice on the potential benefits and risks associated with adopting cloud technologies.

Contact Matthew Madden on 0161 767 1200 or email mmadden@dtegroup.com