5 ways cloud computing can supercharge your small business

Is your business struggling with flexible working? Are you finding it difficult to update and maintain your devices? Are you confident your data is secure? These are common concerns for small business owners today who are trying to build a thriving company with limited resources. If you’re looking for an all-encompassing solution, we recommend cloud computing.

Cloud computing allows businesses to store data and access applications over the internet, eliminating the need for physical servers and software. Here at Fusion, we’ve helped numerous companies move to the cloud so we’ve seen first-hand the benefits it can bring. Here are 5 ways it can help your business thrive.

Improves scalability and flexibility

Managing traditional IT infrastructure can be a challenge for small businesses. Due to their physical nature, on-premise servers limit your ability to scale resources as your business grows. Cloud computing offers a more flexible approach. You can easily scale storage, users and processing power up or down based on your requirements, eliminating the risk of performance problems caused by overloaded systems.

Microsoft Azure is a cloud-based platform that is helping many of our SMB-customers adapt to ongoing change and with the addition of Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD), you can seamlessly scale resources according to your needs. AVD allows small businesses to avoid large upfront investments in hardware, instead, you only pay for the resources you use. Its centralised management helps reduce the complexity of managing IT infrastructure with updates, security patches and software management handled easily.  It also provides remote access to desktops and applications and built-in security features like multi-factor authentication and encrypted data.

Azure Virtual Desktop not only enhances scalability but also enables small businesses to be more agile in adapting to ever-changing demands, while benefiting from the full power and range of capabilities on the Azure cloud ecosystem.

Enhances collaboration and communication

Effective communication and collaboration are crucial for every successful business. Cloud-based collaboration tools allow your team members to work together seamlessly, regardless of location. These tools provide features like shared documents, real-time editing, and video conferencing, fostering a more collaborative work environment.

Microsoft Teams is a popular cloud-based collaboration platform that Fusion provides to many of its customers. This all-in-one program enables users to group people by projects and provides the space to hold meetings, conversations, share files and work on documents simultaneously. This approach streamlines workflows and ensures everyone is on the same page.

Boosts security and data protection

Data security is a major concern for businesses as the incidence of cyberattacks continues to rise. Cloud providers offer advanced security measures that are often more robust than what a small business can implement on its own.

Data is stored in secure data centres with multiple layers of security, including encryption and access controls. Additionally, automatic backups and disaster recovery solutions ensure your data is safe even in the event of a hardware failure or natural disaster.

For our customers that use Microsoft 365, a cloud-based suite of productivity tools, their incoming, internal and outgoing data can be preserved and retained, meaning that should a cyber-attack or power outage shut down their systems, a backup will be available to reinstall when its required, reducing downtime and loss of data.

Reduces costs and complexity

Maintaining an on-premise IT infrastructure can place a significant financial burden on small businesses. Servers require regular hardware and software investment, along with ongoing maintenance and updates. Cloud computing however eliminates the need for on-premise servers and the cloud provider handles any required hardware maintenance and updates. This simplifies budgeting and enables you to spread the cost of your IT investments. You also only pay for what you use, freeing up valuable resources that can be directed towards more strategic initiatives.

We helped an Accountancy Firm move to the cloud after their ageing on-premise servers were starting to affect performance and make it difficult to accommodate secure remote working. Introducing AVD saved them money by removing the need for significant hardware repairs but it also enabled staff to work securely from wherever they were, with greater performance even on ageing laptops. Read our case study to find out more.

Improves remote working

The rise of remote work has transformed the modern business landscape. Cloud-based applications allow your employees to access the tools and data they need from anywhere that has an internet connection with reduced demand on their computers. This flexibility enables them to carry out their work to the best of their ability, regardless of their location.

Cloud computing offers a multitude of benefits for small businesses, from increased scalability and flexibility to enhanced collaboration and improved security. By leveraging the power of the cloud, you can help your business grow, compete, and achieve its full potential.

If you’d like to find out how cloud computing can benefit your business, contact Fusion Technology Solutions today for a free consultation. Our team of experts will help you develop a customised cloud strategy that meets your unique needs.