A decade ago, home businesses had to utilize a variety of softwares to handle email, bookkeeping, graphic design, and more. However in today’s tech world, everything is web-based. This saves tons of wear and tear on your computer, and allows for more storage space. This evolution has proved particularly handy in a pandemic environment, as it’s enabled professionals everywhere to work from anywhere, on any device. 

So what exactly is cloud computing, and how can it positively impact your home business? Let’s dive in.  

What is cloud computing? 

In a nutshell, cloud computing is the ability to store data online and access it from any device (so long as you can get online). In some instances, this means storing files, while in other cases you can create, change, and store data. Cloud computing provides tons of benefits, including financial savings, ease of portability, and overall improvement in productivity and collaboration. Most data computing resources offer free services up to a certain amount of data. Even if you require additional storage, it’s a great deal less than purchasing software or paying tech support to keep your systems up and running. Cloud computing also eliminates the need for a USB drive, as you can save information in a database directly on your device. This is particularly useful for devices that don’t have USB ports, or if you need to access data between multiple devices. With these financial and portability factors in mind, productivity and overall collaboration levels will increase, as tasks are able to get accomplished quicker.  

How can I utilize cloud computing? 

• Data backup. Data loss can make or break your business. If your computer breaks down or a storage device crashes, your data will stay secure in your folders. 
• Collaboration. Cloud computing makes it easy for all members in an organization to access data from one centralized location. This eliminates the need for back and forth emails and chain communication. This is particularly helpful for home businesses, as employees are often fully remote and don’t have capabilities to access information in person.
• Data storage. Utilizing cloud computing allows you to access information from multiple devices. USB devices are no longer necessary, as you can access data on the cloud in real-time.
• Accessing multiple tools. There are cloud tools for just about everything you could need. For example, Evernote (a note taking tool) and Canva (graphic design tool), have moved towards monthly subscription based models, rather than selling the entire software package itself.  

What factors are important when considering cloud computing services? 

• Encryption. Being aware of your client’s data safety is critical, especially in a home environment where hackers know they can take advantage of you. Encryption keeps sensitive data stored away safely, and makes it less susceptible to a data breach. 
• Syncing. Remember when you forgot to save your Microsoft Word document and your entire paper was instantly erased? Those days are over! When making changes to documents and other files, cloud computing allows the files to update automatically; no manual saving required. That way when you go to access it from another device or the same device at a later time, no progress will be lost.

Does your home business need assistance in cloud computing services? We’d love to help! We offer a complete set of options for your company to move your entire IT infrastructure to the cloud & implement cloud computing. Don’t hesitate to contact us today!