Although it can get complex and high-tech, cloud computing basically means that, instead of all the computer hardware and software usually sitting on a desktop or somewhere inside the company’s network, it is provided as a cloud service for small business, accessed over the Internet, ideally in a seamless way.
When it comes to choosing the best cloud platform for a small business, they key factors to consider are the size of the business, the goals, the available resources, and the business model. With cloud service for small business, where the hardware and software are located and how it all works doesn’t really matter for the business. The bottom line: it’s just somewhere secure, up in the cloud.
Unavoidably, cloud service for small business is sometimes misunderstood, mostly because cloud computing can be a tech buzzword that means different things to different people. For some, is just another way of describing IT, or a phrase that is generalized to mean any computing service provided over the Internet. Some small businesses define could services as any bought-in computer services which sit outside the office’s network.
Most importantly, cloud service for small business is provided and managed by hosted-based services, available on-demand and often bought on a subscription basis, similar to buying electricity or Internet access from a utility company.
There are several options and choices when it comes to cloud services for small business. Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) means buying access to raw computing hardware over the Net, such as servers or storage. Software as a Service (SaaS) is a complete application running on someone else’s system. Adobe Creative Cloud Suite or Hosted Exchange are perhaps the best-known examples. Platform as a Service (PaaS) refers to Web-based tools, running on systems software and hardware provided by another company. And Desktop-as-a-service (DaaS) is a form of virtual desktop infrastructure that is usually outsourced and handled by a third party. Also called hosted desktop services, desktop-as-a-service is frequently delivered as a cloud service, along with the apps needed for use on the virtual desktop.
Cloud service for small business is not only state-of-the-art efficient but also extremely cost-efficient. Cloud computing allows the business to buy-in only the services the business wants and needs, when it wants and needs them, cutting the upfront capital costs of computers and peripherals. The business avoids equipment going out of date and ensures system security and reliability. Extra services can be added at a moment’s notice, as the business’ needs change.
With cloud service for small business, it is quick and easy to add new applications or services, without waiting weeks or months for the new computer and its software to arrive.