Friday, July 22, 2011

How Cloud Computing can benefit business?

The IT world is abuzz with regular updates about cloud computing. Apart from benefiting the enterprise IT departments, it's an absolute blessing to the small and mid-size companies.

Indeed, it is being stated that Cloud Computing is a boon to SMBs and SMEs instead large enterprises since the later ones are capable enough to invest largely in IT infrastructure. While small businesses are treading on the path to growth and profitability. Significance of Cloud computing can never be overlooked.


Adoption Rate for Cloud Computing:


Cloud computing has been largely leveraged towards managing applications and realigning workforce to some more profitable and productive activities. It helps the enterprises to assess their goals and objectives while allowing them to escape from mundane operational tasks.

It is estimated that in some cases between 80 to 90 per cent of a firm's infrastructure and applications are hosted off-site, including email, phone, CRM and other functions. The technology allows the companies to enjoy an edge over their rivals; while lowering down the operational costs.

Four key areas where cloud computing spell boost for the business are:

1. Many businesses have started franchising and they want their franchisees up and profitable as immediate as possible. So spending time or money on building up the infrastructure, would take most of the revenue in the beginning itself. Here cloud computing plays a crucial role. It just takes an hour with a hosted provider managed centrally at a company’s headquarters. That means days of work could be done in minutes thereby leaving lot of time and money to invest on innovation.


2. For the success of a business, mobility plays a key role. And with cloud computing, owners and staff can access key applications from anywhere and most importantly from any device like smartphones or tablets. It gives the liberty to small business owners to move out and pitch some new clients.  One can still manage the office despite being physically present.


3. Cloud applications also keep tab on the fuel costs. As many employees drive between several customer sites, heaving gas prices could affect the company's bottom line. A mixture of appointment scheduling, geocoding, driver routing and other strategies has led to a company-wide 50% reduction in miles driven. All of that data is managed centrally in the cloud.
4. The fourth key area allows businesses to operate with a lean-and-mean IT team. Cloud computing minimizes the internal IT needs thereby reducing the headcounts. In fact, they can realign their workforce towards new strategies and technologies, instead investing largely on maintenance and support.

With globalization and mobility being the two integral aspects of any business scenario, the advent and adoption of such technologies help owners run their businesses more efficiently and profitably.

No comments:

Post a Comment