This document outlines 8 tips for scaling a business faster in the cloud. It notes that cloud services allow companies to grow with little capital outlay and offers pay-as-you-go billing. Using cloud computing provides cost certainty, lower technology overhead by managing servers and software, and the ability to focus on core competencies rather than infrastructure. The cloud also provides flexibility, on-demand access to technology, continuous innovation, collaboration tools, and enhanced productivity. In summary, the cloud offers scalable benefits that help businesses grow faster.

1. 8 Tips to Scale Faster in the Cloud

2. The Challenge:
• Small businesses are faced with the challenge
of growing fast while staying lean and efficient
– Financial constraints leave them high and dry if
they don’t know how to scale with a limited
budget
• Cloud services allow companies to grow with
little to no capital overlay

3. 1. Cost Certainty
• Cloud computing almost always forgoes a large
up-front capital cost
– Almost universally offers a pay-as-you-go billing
structure
• The word “sunk cost” will never enter your IT
budget
• This helps businesses get to market fast and
budget more efficiently

4. 2. Lower Technology Overhead
• Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) relieves
companies from the burden of:
– Managing servers
– Upgrading software
– Maintaining a complex infrastructure

5. 3. Focus on Core Competencies
• Cloud computing allows companies to grow
their business infrastructure incrementally as
needed
– Allows them to get up and running without taking
time away from mission-critical tasks and hiring
new talent

6. 4. Achieve Greater Flexibility
• With no hardware lock-
in, you can easily add or
subtract web-based
services offering to
match your business’
changing needs

7. 5. On-Demand Technology
• Use it only when you
need it
• Pay only for what you
use

8. 6. Continuous Innovation
• Cloud services provide
you with the latest and
greatest tools to
enhance your business,
rather than the classic
pay-to-upgrade
packaged software
release cycle

9. 7. Unlock Collaboration
• Many cloud tools
(notably Google Apps)
are highly collaborative
• This allows your team
to work together on the
Internet anywhere,
anytime

10. 8. Enhance Productivity
• With simple consumer-
style tools and on-
demand access from
any browser, cloud
computing allows you
to be as productive as
you want
– Reduces time spent
understanding the
technology you’re trying
to use

11. The Scalable Benefits are Real
• Whether you choose to use cloud computing
tools for part or all of your business operations,
you will realize the immediate benefits of
scalability
• Online backups help you achieve scalable benefits
since you can archive as many accounts as you
need while protecting your data
– Backupify solves your social media and Google Apps
backup requirements