On: February, 16th 2013 | Under: Uncategorized
More than ever, business owners need to squeeze even more productivity out of limited time, staffing and resources. Many small businesses see cloud computing as a way to access advanced technologies that were previously affordable only for larger companies. A recent survey conducted by CompTIA, a nonprofit IT industry trade association, stated that more than half of micro businesses (one to nine employees) and small businesses (ten to ninety-nine employees) use cloud-based business productivity applications. Analysts and industry leaders agree that global demand for hosted IT services will continue to expand rapidly as cloud-based solutions offer significant resolutions for organizations of all types and sizes. Can cloud computing services help your business succeed in the marketplace?
Give Your Business a Competitive Edge
Finding the right business tools is an important task. Cloud computing can help your business edge out the competition with reduced costs and enhanced productivity in a number of ways:
- The latest innovations in cloud computing are making business applications even more mobile and collaborative in ways similar to Facebook and Twitter. Consumers expect information in real time and more business applications in the cloud are heading in that direction.
- Accessing specialized computer resources as they are needed enables businesses to quickly deliver quality results with greater affordability. Faster turn-around time can propel you ahead of your competition.
- You can bring your product to market faster and generate higher revenues as customers are able to access the service immediately.
- Cloud computing can enable innovative business initiatives that generate new value propositions and revenue streams. Some companies, such as Spotify, are building entirely new business models solely using cloud services.
- Cloud computing services can help you gain “business agility” with efficient projects that allow your employees to spend their time on work that has a greater potential value to your business.
- Utilizing cloud computing services can enable your business to shift from a capital expense model to an operational expense model. By forgoing long term financial IT commitments, an organization can complete projects more quickly without losing any investment.
Cloud computing might sound over-hyped and tech-heavy, but in reality it’s a rising trend among small business owners. If you want to learn more about the advantages of cloud computing for your business, contact your local Computer Troubleshooters office. One of our computer professionals will be happy to meet with you to explore the benefits of cloud computing for you and your business.
On: January, 16th 2013 | Under: Uncategorized
Most businesses report that they are not properly prepared to combat the risk or to bounce-back in the event they suffer a catastrophic data loss. There are a number of factors that affect the majority of businesses today and may increase their susceptibility of a data loss:
- Business owners incorrectly assume that quality backup services are too expensive or beyond what they need.
- Businesses are often using out of date technology for their data backup and storage needs and assume that it is working.
- The number of online security threats has increased.
- Many companies are trending towards BYOD- or “bring your own device”- and therefore there is an increasing amount of company and client data stored on employees’ personal laptops, smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices, that is likely not protected or backed-up even if the company devices are.
What is the Real Cost of Data Loss to a Business Owner?
According to the Gartner Group 43 percent of companies were immediately put out of business by a major loss of computer records, and another 51 percent permanently closed their doors within two years. This leaves a mere six percent “survival” rate.
What about a loss that is not catastrophic? This type of data loss is an expensive problem as well that costs organizations an estimated average of $200 per record affected according to a recent survey by Ponemon Institute, though to some degree the true costs associated with data loss are difficult to measure.
What can be Done to Avoid a Catastrophic Data Loss?
Implementing a data protection program is essential for every organization. While most business owners recognize that their data files are their livelihood, more than half admit to not having a quality data backup protocol in place. Here are some tips on what you can start doing today to protect your business:
- Accept the fact that your data is at risk. The reality is that computer hard drives, whether on a server, a desktop, or a laptop, will fail.
- Invest now to save money, and your business, later. An automated and fully protected backup service starts at about $30 per month (depending on the amount of data being backed up) and provides you with the peace of mind that your data, and your business, are protected. The cost of attempting to recover deleted data, once lost, is significantly more expensive and is estimated that 20 percent of lost data is not recoverable!
- If you do not have a data backup and recovery plan, get one! Call your local Computer Troubleshooter and request an evaluation of your data backup needs. They will then be able to provide you with options that will meet the specific needs of the business and your budget.
- Check the viability of the backed up data regularly. Don’t make the mistake of assuming that your backups are being done, whether your company uses a manual or automated backup process. Also, never assume the data is retrievable. Talk with your Computer Troubleshooter technician about your current backup solution to verify that it is still the best option for your needs.
- Make data protection a company-wide initiative. Work with your Computer Troubleshooter technician to develop policies and a plan of action for all employees to follow regarding the proper location and access to company data to ensure that data is being backed up as well.
A proactive approach to protecting your data and establishing a plan for recovery in the event of a loss is smart business. Ask your local Computer Troubleshooter about the best protective mechanisms for your data or for assistance with any of the above recommended tips before it is too late!
