Cloud computing is a simple concept: you store your data files on someone else’s computers, using the Internet to connect to them.
You can store virtually any data. From your emails and the files you’d usually save to your hard drive or in-house server (such as Office documents) right through to entire software packages you’d usually install on your local hard drive, cloud computing may be a simple concept, but it’s incredibly powerful.
One of the most popular examples of cloud computing is Gmail.
It sounds risky – and expensive. Why would you make the transition from conventional to cloud computing?
These computers aren’t just any computers run by any business; these businesses dedicate themselves to maintaining their fleet. Some of the world’s leading corporations rely on the cloud to manage their files; these businesses mean business.
Consequently, big money is being spent on the hardware, backups and maintenance.
Theoretically, you are using the same infrastructure paid for by the big guns – for a fraction of the fee. Take advantage of the situation, rather than rely on the riskiest computers and servers to safeguard your data; your own.
It also means that you never need to rely on one particular computer or device to access your business. Anything that has an Internet connection will do.
And unlike being stuck with costly and quickly obsolete equipment in your office, you only pay for what you use.
So what sort of tools do you use to set me up?
Depending on what it is you want your business to achieve (and don’t worry, we help you with that, too), we’ll use the best combination of tools. Here’s a brief summary of our main tools:
Google Apps
Google Apps has changed the way micro and small businesses do business.
With a huge amount of secure online storage, Google Apps lets you share documents, have multiple people make changes to files online in real time and share calendars.
What’s more, you can use your own domain name and current email address with Google Apps; you’re not forced to use an @gmail.com address for your business.
Check out the Google Apps for small business page for full details.
Hosted Exchange
Leaving Google Sync for dead, Hosted Exchange lets you synchronise your inbox and all your subfolders, your calendar, your contacts and your tasks across all your devices.
It’s an enterprise-level tool afforded by micro and small business owners. It’s my personal tool of choice.
Check out the full details on how Hosted Exchange can help your bottom line through increased productivity and decreased technology costs.
Hosted SharePoint
It’s your business Intranet, seamlessly integrating itself with your Hosted Exchange email.
Think shared calendars, full project management, live online collaboration. Hosted SharePoint is so powerful, you’ll can just about make email redundant.
Find out more about how Hosted SharePoint can change the way you do business.
Dropbox
Dropbox lets you synchronise your files between lots of Internet-enabled devices, such as your laptop, desktop and mobile phone. It means that no matter what file you update from where, you can access it from any of your devices.
What’s more, you can also access your synchronised files through a web browser, so if you’re stuck without your laptop, you can just walk into an Internet café and check your files.
Their website has an excellent short video on how Dropbox can help you with your business life. I highly recommend you take two minutes to watch it.
While you’re watching videos, check out this excellent Common Craft compilation on what cloud computing is and how it can help you with your business. It’ll get you thinking.
