What Is Cloud Computing

Cloud computing refers to anything that involves providing hosted services over the Internet. These computing services are not games for the big guys only. Many small businesses can obtain huge benefits from SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) and the other forms of grid computing such as Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) and Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS). Most small businesses benefit from advanced technologies and the services that these technologies may offer. However, some small businesses were forced to refuse the utilization of advanced technologies, simply because of the cost. This innovation provides the opportunity to not only reduce IT costs, but to also enhance advanced IT services.

Cloud computing has many definitions but since they are more or less technical in nature, therefore, here is a simple definition. Moreover, it helps small businesses manage huge IT workloads and increase the overall business productivity. Similarly to virtualization which is considered as part of an overall trend in enterprise IT, cloud computing has already become conventional and now even small businesses and individuals can use the system and take advantage of it.

Why a Small Business Benefits from SaaS and Cloud Computing in General?

The benefits of this remarkable technology for a small business are relatively tangible and this is why this type of technology has become very popular. Cloud computing provides the major advantages for a small business. These benefits that make cloud computing a practical option for small businesses. As you see, the advantages of cloud computing are not only financial and for many small companies these benefits can really mean a lot.

Cost Reduction

Small business owners do not have to purchase hardware or software to run the applications they need for their businesses. This significantly decreases their expenses. In this relation they can think of cloud computing as a form of renting the capacity you need as opposed to purchasing.

Fewer Resources

This methodology does not require a large amount resources. Other than serious cost savings that it can give, another advantage is that since business owners do not have to deal with it in-house, they do not need to hire an army of IT professionals to set up and implement the software necessary for their businesses. These savings from salaries could even go over the savings from hardware and software, which is one more reason why cloud computing is really a good option. Operational costs are only a part of continuing maintenance expenditures for an in-house solution, so actually the savings span throughout time.

Flexibility

It facilitates more flexibility. For example, the principle is Pay-as-you-go. Clients pay only for what they have used. With in-house set up, clients have fixed operating costs that go out of their pockets even when they do not use the application.

New Technologies

It allows business owners to experience new technologies. New technologies are costly and even if business owners have the budget to purchase them in-house, the investment is useless since new technologies get old pretty fast.

And Cloud Computing Comes Risk-Free?

Like any other applications, cloud computing does have its own risks but if business owners know what to watch for and choose genuine professionals, then they will barely have cloud computing bad stories to tell. With Saas, the biggest risk is data security, followed by service availability, but if you sign with a trustworthy company, then the risks is drastically reduced.