Since 2013, expenditure by businesses on cloud working services has grown 20% year-on-year. It is predicted to rise globally to £166bn (€219bn) by 2017.
According to latest figures, the number of new cloud applications available grew 20% in the six months to October 2015.
Technology companies are embracing cloud working and developing new products to increase performance.
Faster internet speeds and larger storage capacity has fuelled the uptake of the cloud. Mobile hardware has become more affordable and confidence has grown amongst business people.
It seems cloud working is fast becoming the new way of working.
How has the cloud helped businesses?
Dave Taylor, managing director at Stockport based Amshire IT Solutions, offers his view:
The possibilities for cloud working and cloud computing are extensive, and growing. A business could put all its IT infrastructure into the cloud if it had a mind to. There are many advantages to using the cloud, although security and reliability remains a concern for some.
Documents are accessed, uploaded and shared. Whether abroad or home-working, the cloud has enabled businesses of all sizes to access computer services over the internet.
In my opinion there are a few key business drivers for moving to the cloud: –
Improved business agility: The world of business is faster paced than ever before. Flexibility is key to success. Cloud-based services are available on subscription, so you pay only for what you need.
Often businesses can add to or reduce the service at any time. A temporary need for larger storage space can be accessed for a fee. Or an additional software license can be obtained for a temporary member of staff.
Improved productivity: Cloud-based services enable people to access documents and software from any device, wherever they are. Many services allow offline working. Staff can upload the completed document when they have internet access – you don’t need a continuous connection.
Access better quality services: As a result of the changing pricing structure brought about by the cloud, SMEs can now gain access to enterprise level applications, which would have been vastly over their budget previously.
Smaller businesses can access more complex, affordable software through cloud computing. Cloud working software and services have enterprise level capabilities at an accessible price.
Low barriers to entry and exit (you don’t have to pay out for a software license for example) means software providers are often more motivated to continuously improve their product.
Strategic benefits
Businesses benefit greatly from the flexibility cloud computing offers. It saves time, costs and often helps SMEs deliver a better service to customers more cost effectively.
Key benefits for SMEs include: –
Greater flexibility: ability to rapidly scale up and scale down your IT resources to meet the demands of your business.
Automatic software updates: regular updates of software removed handing over cash.
Increasing collaboration within teams: you can access, edit and share documents easily and at any time. It is easier for remote teams or you and your clients to work together.
Remote working: you and your team can work from anywhere, at any time. Useful if a member of staff needs to work from home or is meeting with a client abroad.
Reduces capital outlay: there are lower (or no) upfront costs and you only pay for what you need.
The cloud has reached a level of maturity where it can no longer be ignored by business that have an intensive use of IT and a dispersed and mobile workforce. It’s capability, flexibility and low, simple cost model provides a powerful enabler for smaller businesses to compete against the largest multinational.