This document discusses how cloud computing can help cut costs for small and medium-sized businesses. Some key benefits of cloud computing mentioned include being able to work from anywhere, automatic software updates, easy sharing of information, scalability without large upfront costs, automatic backups, and reduced need for on-site IT support. Specific cloud-based tools that can help with websites, productivity, file sharing, customer relationship management, and accounting are also highlighted. The document emphasizes that cloud computing allows businesses to focus on their core product or service instead of IT infrastructure.
2. One step back
• How important is IT?
• Not as important as a good product and YOU!
• But, get it wrong and pay!
– Headaches & lost time
– Cost (too expensive, cost of change)
– Loss of data, reputation and money
“IT isn’t that important, but it is important to get
right”
3. Why do we always talk about IT?
• From floor worker to MD
• It can be so complex
• We can’t get our head around it, but…
• It can be so handy!
4. How IT is changing the marketplace
• Customers are getting ever more digital –
other ways to connect with customers
• Geographical boundaries are disappearing –
for us and our competitors
– Offer products (online shopping)
– Offer services (justanswer.com,
expertexchange.com)
5. Let’s make the most of it
• As we will need IT, why not make the most of
it and get the best tools at the best price
• Or one step further – get such good tools that
will make us more competitive
6. The best tools
• Are user friendly
• Reduce hassle
• Are functional
• Are flexible and mobile
• Work well together
• Offer value for money
7. IT functionality
• On stage – web, social media, email
marketing, video, presentations etc.
• Back stage – email, calendaring, CRM,
accounting
8. IT in SME’s is 80% about people
• Your customers:
– Finding & connecting: web, social media, email
– Managing relationships & support: CRM
• Teams & employees:
– Collaborate: email, file sharing, online meetings
9. Where does cloud computing fit in?
• It is THE major trend in IT
• It takes the technology out of IT
• Focus on functionality
• It is ideal for SME’s
10. So, what is cloud computing?
• Also known as web-hosted IT
• Data and functions are hosted by providers
such as Microsoft, Google, Amazon
• They manage all the technology
• Accessed via the web browser
• Simple examples: hotmail, online banking but
also Twitter, Facebook and online games
11. What can I do in the cloud?
• Website management
• Social Media
• Productivity suites:
– Office / Docs
– Email & Calendaring
– Collaboration / file sharing
– Online meetings & conferencing
• Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
• Accounting
• Etc., etc.
12. What are the benefits?
• Work anywhere
• No software installations
• Always the latest software
• Easy to share information
• Scalable
• Automatic back-ups
• Minimise engineer call-outs
• No need to buy anything
• Cut costs: economy of scale, easy to develop
13. Work Anywhere
• All you need is:
– A PC or Mac
– An Internet connection (512/128 kb suffices)
– A web browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox,
Chrome)
• Many applications have mobile versions or
apps, tablets like iPad are ideal (no flash)
• Access over EDGE/3G
14. No software installations
• An Internet browser is the only software you need to
install
• Some applications do offer an app for extra
functionality but still work without > Data is still
online
• Traditionally, every application on every computer
needs separate software & updates
• Number of PC’s x Number of Apps = Too Many
• No dependency on computers
15. Always the latest software
• Software is managed by hosting company
• They upgrade & patch continually
• No extra cost for new versions
• No extra cost for new hardware requirements
• No extra cost for on-site engineers
16. Easy to share information
• The web acts as a hub to share information
and work together > in the office or on the
road
• No need to allow inbound connections into
your office network
• Share documents, calendars, free/busy,
customer & financial data, enter time slips etc.
17. Scalable
• Add extra users, data storage and
functionality with a click of the button and
pay as you use.
• No need to worry about hardware & software
upgrades
• Connect to other web applications to add
functionality
18. Automatic back-ups
• Back-ups are done automatically by the
hosting provider (daily)
• Usually of-site as well
• Some do hourly back-ups
• Some have mirrored systems
19. Minimise engineer call-outs
• No on-site software installations & servers = less
call-outs
• Your cloud IT is managed by the hosting provider,
included in the subscription
• They keep your IT in optimised data centres and
use highly specialised support teams
• Only for the basic infrastructure: computers,
printers and other devices
• Most other cloud IT support can be done
remotely which saves money
20. No need to buy anything
• Cloud IT is much like a utility, you pay a
subscription
• You pay for what you use
• You don’t have to buy hardware & software
• You don’t have to buy upgrades every x years
• You don’t risk theft, loss or breakdown
• Good for cash flow
21. Cut costs!
• Economy of scale, hosting providers:
– Buy cheaper
– Manage cheaper
– Make sure their equipment isn’t idle
• No need for large capital investment
• An extremely competitive software market
through:
– Relatively easy switching of providers
– Easy software development with PaaS and other
development frameworks
• Savings are passed on to you!
22. What to look out for?
• Trust in the hosting provider
• Access & authentication
• Security & DPA
• Vendor lock-in
• A reliable Internet connection
– A word about speed, latency and contention rate
23. What about security?
• Hosting companies rely on security, like a bank
• They have more resources than you or me:
– Secure data centres
– Tiered firewalls
– Mirror sites
– Hourly back-ups
– Disaster recovery, etc.
• No need for copying data to memory sticks and
laptops
• Secure passwords or 2-factor auth. are crucial
• Check DPA & Safe Harbor list
24. Low costs tools worth knowing
• Websites: Wordpress CMS
• Social Media: Hootsuite
• Productivity: Google Apps or Office 365
• File sharing: Dropbox
• Audio & Video chat: Skype – also groups
• CRM: many out there, also free with limited functions
• Accounting: many out there, also free with limited
functions
• Photo editing: Pixlr.com
• Anti-virus: Microsoft Security Essentials
• Marketing: Youtube & Slideshare
25. Free is good, but…
• Pick the right tools for the job
• Prepare for growth
• Migration can be a hassle:
– Time spend
– Possible loss of data
– Learning new software
26. Conclusion
• Opportunities for SMB
As Microsoft says: “your local bakery can get
enterprise-calibre software”
• Requires a different mind set
• More extrovert
• Does it fit your business?
• Not sure? Pick the best bits and go hybrid
27. What I have learned
• Form partnerships (mutual referrals,
commissions, packages, buying, advertising)
• Good Digital presence
• Don’t spend forever on auxiliary stuff but
work constructively and get out there
• Networking, not about selling but about
relationships – sell through, not to, the room
– Referrals
– Trust & Like
