Cloud Computing for Small Business Critical Data & Apps

Cloud Computing for Small Business Exceeds All Expectation

Cloud watcher Joe Hewitson at IBM’s Midsize Insider writes, “meaningful data is what drives modern midsize businesses. The ability to analyze and quickly process large quantities of data enables midsize organizations to make smarter business decisions.” But how does a small or mid-sized business effectively manage and store all of its fast growing data?  Cloud computing for small business, of course.

Most IT staff today are coping with increasing data capacity needs as well as the growing demand for centralized data storage management. Cloud computing for small business is gaining traction especially in the area of cloud storage. By utilizing cloud data storage, IT staffs are able to:

• Avoid the complex and static nature of traditional data centers.
• Focus on streamlining data management.
• Reduce cost and the resources necessary in a more traditional data center.
• Gain flexibility and consistent performance.

The independent nature of cloud computing for small business evolves the historically in-house IT resources to secure off-site locations. The immediate ramifications of such a move in technological infrastructure shifta much of the IT responsibility onto secure third-party vendors – comprehensive cloud solutions, like Cloud9’s Private Virtual Server solution, with its inherent advantage of minimizing IT cost and risk while increasing business computing flexibility, scalability, and power, are key examples of why both small and mid-size businesses are shifting to cloud computing.

Cloud9’s Custom Virtual Private Server solution is true cloud computing for small businessthat simulates the customization of a dedicated office server, but with the immediate scalability and redundancy of true cloud computing.

Our previous post, Ditch that old server, describes how reduced costs can be realized with cloud computing for small and mid-size businesses: “Cloud-hosted virtual private servers are challenging the innate limits of 20th century localized computers while maintaining a familiar appearance and settings you’re comfortable with.”

According to numbers from research firm Gartner, sales of cloud computing service are expected to reach $9 billion this year, compared to $6 billion in 2012. Furthermore, Gartner is forecasting an average annual growth rate of 41 percent through 2016, which would translate into revenues of $24 billion in 2016 compared to $3 billion in 2010.

“This shift in means greater computing power for businesses regardless of their size and will have significant implications on the ability for companies to delivery an enterprise-grade customer service experience without the added challenge of large-scale IT systems or advanced business processes,” wrtites Flavio Martins at WinTheCustomer.com

According to Martins –

Superior cloud-based IT options are now within reach of SMBs. In fact, IT consultancy group Freedom Dynamics recently forecast that one-in-five SMBs plan on migrating to a cloud-based option within three years.

A Cloud-based option doesn’t have to be a big upfront capital commitment, but SMBs can sample a small beta test to maximize the learning curve while minimizing any customer-facing hiccups that might occur. This makes it easier than ever for small businesses to launch and thrive.

One way to determine a worthy provider is to compare updated audit reports of their data centers and cloud hosting solutions, including SOC 2 and SOC 1 (SSAE 16) reports that measure the security, availability, privacy and financial reporting controls of a service provider. Find out what else to look for by reading Cloud9 Hosting Raised the Security Bar.

Remember Cloud9 Real Time, the number one choice of 4000 professional practices polled.