As a small business owner, you understand that in order to remain relevant in today’s world, you need to employ technology. You may have seen some of the statistics that predict that rapid growth and utilization of the cloud- like Gartner’s prediction that 60% of workloads will be virtualized by 2013 and CRN’s prediction that SMB spending on cloud computing will hit $100 billion by 2014. But you are still a little reluctant about cloud technology. You might be wondering if the cloud is of any real use to your business and if there is any value to the newest technology craze.
You may think that the only reason many businesses have chosen to use cloud technology is the fact that it is cost effective, since the company does not have to design and maintain their own servers. And while the money-saving aspect of the cloud is a great advantage for many businesses, it is not the only reason cloud technology has exploded the way it has. A recent article from Forbes is just one of many that have espoused the eminent practicality of the cloud. According to the article’s author, cloud technology is no longer just a way to reduce technology costs; he postulates that the cloud, if used strategically, could be of great value to businesses that employ it. He says that business owners must regard the technology as a means to build new business models and offer new services for their customers. The cloud offers companies a way to be more flexible in the services they offer and in their day-to-day operations. Savitz said that there are four “lenses” that can help business owners develop and sharpen their strategies:
- Cloud-enabled IT transformation
- Transforming internal business operations
- Innovate around new products and services
- Energize broader and more diverse channels and communities
According to Savitz, using these lenses is a good starting point for businesses to begin rethinking how the cloud can enhance their business.
A report by Accenture found that using the cloud can help your business win customers, interact with clients and gain entry into new markets. According to their research, 61% of executives said they intended to use the cloud at their business in order to develop products and services they could not previously offer, while 40% said they felt the cloud was a great tool for innovation. The cloud also allows companies to actively and easily engage their customers; for example, the coffee company Starbucks has used social networks to connect customers and the franchise for many years. Lastly, Accenture found that cloud technology allowed companies to expand into new markets. “The speed, scale, cost and accessibility of cloud-based applications makes them a solution for providing back-office applications” that helps businesses grow and expand.
With all the excitement surrounding cloud technology, it is easy to overlook the long-term benefits it may hold for your business and concentrate on the immediate effects or drawbacks. At IronOrbit, we know that the cloud offers a great opportunity for your business to grow, so we work with you to design and maintain private or hybrid clouds that are tailored to your needs. Our customizable clouds afford you all the benefits of cloud ownership without the headache of maintaining them. You can instead concentrate on expanding and growing your business.