What is the cloud? The 4 key things you need to know - and why you should use it for managing your company
Elena Margaria4 minWhether you're already an experienced business owner or still a novice, the cloud can help you with the management of your company. Because as we all know, however small your company may be, it requires great energy, time and money. Not sure how the cloud can benefit you? Keep reading.
First of all, what is the cloud exactly?
The cloud is nothing more than a way to store and access data and programs on the net, instead of on the computer. In other words, when you save a file on the cloud you don't physically save it on your computer's hard drive, but rather on "someone else's computer".
I know you’re suspicious (and you should be!), but it’s actually really safe! "Someone else's computer" is in fact a set of servers (computers) owned by the service provider, whose biggest responsibility is to ensure that your data is secure 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, even in the event of natural disasters or attacks by expert hackers. I don't know about you, but I’d call the cloud rather reassuring! And I'm not just saying it, I mean it. Here at CheekSoft we use the cloud every day, for both the management of documents such as invoices and accounting files, and a lot of other activities that we carry out through software in the cloud.
But let's get to the point: why should a small entrepreneur like you use the cloud?
- REASON #1: To avoid catastrophic situations.
- REASON #2: To save money.
- REASON #3: To have access to data from anywhere.
- REASON #4: To simplify document management and sharing.
Here are some situations where the cloud can make your life easier.
CASE N°1 - CURSED THE HEAVENS BECAUSE THE COMPUTER DOESN'T TURN ON AND YOU’VE JUST LOST ALL THE FILES OF THE LAST 3 MONTHS?
By saving your documents on the cloud you eliminate not only the possibility of losing your data if the computer decides to take a permanent vacation, but also the need to perform periodic backups. How cool would it be to not have to worry about it?!
CASE N°2 - BEEN TOLD BY THE GUY OF THE STORE THAT THE PC YOU LIKE DOESN’T HAVE ENOUGH MEMORY FOR A BUSINESS?
Well, with the cloud this problem no longer exists: by storing data and using software in the cloud you save space on your PC. So next time you buy a computer you’ll save money as you won’t need such big hard disk. It's OK to spend, but why to waste?
CASE N°3 - WANTED TO FINISH A TASK FROM HOME, BUT FORGOT THE USB STICK AT THE OFFICE?
With the cloud you can finally say goodbye to USB sticks and external hard drives, and have access to your documents wherever you are and from any device (PC, tablet or smartphone). And with only one requirement: an internet connection!
CASE N°4 - FELT EMBARRASSED FOR "SENDING" THE HOURS OF YOUR EMPLOYEES TO THE FINANCIAL ADVISOR WITHOUT THE ATTACHMENT?
The cloud makes your life easier even in this case, avoiding that embarrassing follow up email. In fact, not only is it useful for storing data, but it is genius in its simplicity to share it. While email is great for communicating, the cloud is perfect for sharing documents. You can even share whole folders at a time!
To recap
Whether you want to reduce costs, avoid the loss of important documents, access your data anytime, anywhere, or simplify its management and sharing, you cannot disregard the cloud. It's simple yet powerful, which makes it perfect especially for a small business owner like you.
Now that you know what it's all about, use it to your advantage: it can really make a difference!
