It is important for non-profits and small businesses to back up their data on a regular basis. It has been reported that 40% of small and medium sized businesses don't back up their data at all and 60% of companies that lose their data will shut down within 6 months of the disaster. Non-profits and small businesses should consider the option of moving to the cloud.
 

What is Cloud Computing?
 

Cloud computing is the practice of using a network of remote servers hosted on the internet to store, manage, and process data, rather than a local server or a personal computer. Many people are using some form of Cloud Computing without even realizing it. Such as: Gmail, Google Docs, and Yahoo Mail. They are often called software as a service (SaaS). A company provides access to their software applications over the internet and you access it through your web browser.

There are many advantages to moving to the cloud. For example, a cloud CRM system can allow your business to have quicker and broader access to your CRM System. As a non-profit or business owner, it is important to understand exactly what your needs are and whether a cloud-based solution is right for your business.

If your company is relatively small, moving to the cloud might be your best option. Cloud computing can improve efficiency for a company, reduce costs, and make every day business functions move more smoothly.
 

5 Advantages of Moving to the Cloud:

• Little to No Upfront Costs - Consumption is usually billed on a per-user basis based on your monthly usage with little or no upfront cost. You avoid capital expenditures on hardware, software, and services when you pay a provider for only what you use.
   
• No IT Staff Required - No in-house IT Support is required because the hosting provider takes care of the installs, upgrades, backups and standard maintenance for you. This means reduced costs for you.  
   
• No Servers - You don't have the expense of buying servers and maintaining and recycling them - the hosting provider takes care of that for you.  
   
• Convenience - A cloud system makes your data more accessible across a large organization. Your staff and volunteers can access your cloud from virtually anywhere as long as they have an internet connection with their login info.  
   
• Green Benefits - Using the cloud is more environmentally friendly and energy efficient than owning your own servers. With cloud computing there are fewer servers built and running, which in turn means fewer toxic materials need to be used, less toxic materials are dumped, and less energy is consumed for the servers. Also you can increase the lifespan of your company's computers and your computers can be less powerful because all of the processing is performed on the hosted servers.

When you have a limited capital, limited space, and limited technical staff being a non-profit or small business, you can benefit financially and environmentally from using cloud computing. Often you reduce the amount of hardware needed, and it is technically easier to install and maintain than in-house applications. The concept of moving to the cloud could be a bit scary for some, but once you get over that hurdle and are realizing that you already have used cloud computing, you will start seeing other ways you can use it to help your non-profit or small business get more work done efficiently.
 

Are You Ready To Move To The Cloud?

Contact Us today for more information.