2. What is Cloud Computing
• Accessing & running applications directly over the Internet
• ‘Application Provider’ hosts the software on their servers
• Kept in a physically secure location
• Built-in resilience against outages to deliver 24×7 availability
• Maintenance & support included
• Automatic software updates at no extra cost
• Automatic back-up of your business-critical data
• Long awaited merger of telephony and computing
3. Common Cloud Use…
• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• Amazon
• Dropbox
• Gmail
• Microsoft 365
• Google Apps
• Hotmail
• YouSendIT
4. Cloud Computing Trends
• Represents opportunity to change the way we do business
• SMBs need to respond to economic uncertainty
• SMBs waking up slowly to security of data in the Cloud
• SMBs most worried about the short-term, logistical issues linked
to I.T. security breaches
• SMBs need to consider their disaster recovery options
• Peace of mind, performance & reassurance continue to be top
priorities for SMBs
5. Typical Apps Journey So Far….
• Started with QuickBooks , Sage or MS Dynamics
• Added Excel for analytics
• Added Act, Goldmine, or Salesforce.com
• Multi-site operation
• Employed more staff
• Home working
• BYOD
6. So,Why Can’t We Still Do This….?
• Get a clear picture of bookings, billings, backlogs
• Reduced spreadsheet based accounting
• Scale up to support the growth in sales orders
• Provide same visibility to all
• Reconcile versions of data
• Integrate front and back office processes
7. Mobile Working is High on the SME’s Agenda…
• Mobility solutions are among the most likely to be considered
by SMBs
• More SMBs are allowing remote access
• Growing use of mobile devices, including tablets (including
BYOD)
• Typical remote worker now spends 1 day a week accessing the
network away from the office
8. The Connected Workplace
Business owners are burdened with demands to be experts
in….
• Accountancy • Product design / innovation
• Social media • Stock control
• Credit control • Content writer
• Selling • Human resources
• Projects • E-Commerce
• IT • Web designer
• Legal • Customer service
• Marketing • Bookkeeper
• Blogging • Operations / production
• Public relations • Exporter
…whilst at the same time balancing the need to make
THEIR ENTREPRENEURIAL VISION WORK AND TO GROW
9. Cloud Computing; The All-in-One
Solution to Manage your Business
• Run your business more efficiently & productively
• Concentrate on your business with no IT worries
• No capital outlay for software & servers
• Payments made on a monthly fee basis
• Means better cash flow management over the year
• All you need is a broadband service & web browser
• Operate on Laptops; iPads; Android Tablets & Smartphones
10. Cloud Computing; The All-in-One
Solution to Manage your Business
• User interface familiar & consistent
• Anywhere, Anytime and by Anyone
• Opportunity to offer an improved, fast & reliable service
• Seamlessly share data between different applications
• Enables the delivery of a joined-up service
• Reduces the admin burden
• Places SME’s on the same footing as larger competitors
