The Cloud is becoming an increasingly important tool for small businesses. Dedicated platforms, such as CloudDrive, have emerged and become invaluable for organisations of various sizes. Being able to increase capacity quickly and make files available in any place at any time has become crucial in helping SMEs compete effectively against much larger competitors.
There are dozens of cloud services available, all competing for the attention of small businesses. Most services offer a single specialised use; for example, Salesforce is used for customer relationship management (CRM) and Eloqua for digital marketing campaigns.
Other services, like Google Apps, offer productivity tools designed to offer similar functionality to Microsoft’s Office suite. However, these possess the ability for multiple users to input information and view the document simultaneously. Word is replicated by Docs, Excel by Sheets and Powerpoint by Slides. The actual usage and output of these Google alternatives is generally acceptable. Some users will struggle to cope with the switch, and productivity may drop as an initial result of the change.
At a strategic level, some SME owners will be concerned about storing their files with a business that routinely scans files stored in “free” accounts to build a comprehensive profile of the individual for advertising purposes. There are also questions about data sovereignty (Google routinely stores cloud data outside the UK/EU), and the potential legal problems this poses.
Use your own software alongside the Cloud with platforms such as CloudDrive
Cloud platforms that work with SMEs existing software seem like the obvious choice. Platforms like CloudDrive, from Broadband Cloud Solutions, can be used alongside the traditional desktop install of Microsoft Office.
Documents stored in the Cloud and are accessible at any time, from anywhere and on any device. With this software you have the ability to use the same tools your users are familiar with. Consequentially, you can avoid costly dips in productivity that are associated with adopting new software.
The generic nature of CloudDrive means that it is compatible with many different software types; because of this, the Cloud can store almost any file type. Unlike dedicated services such as Salesforce and Eloqua, you can use your CloudDrive space for most of your business operations.
Disaster recovery as standard
Storing more of your files in a centralised off-premises location has the added advantage of increasing the resilience of your business. If a local disaster damages your office, or your server suffers irreparable damage, your data is still safe and secure in the Cloud. To access CloudDrive you just need a laptop or tablet with the right software installed. This way day-to-day business operations can resume almost immediately.
The investment in a multi-purpose cloud storage offers greater flexibility and protection as well as the ability to continue using all the same software that you and your team are already familiar with. Switching to cloud storage solutions can be a positive move for your business.
To learn more about CloudDrive and what it could do for your organisation, please get in touch.
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