It eliminates the need for physical servers, allowing you to increase capacity without having to invest in new hardware, software and infrastructure. Cloud computing is one of the tech buzzwords of our time, yet its meaning and use is unknown to many small business owners. By Nicole Dyess. The use of SaaS solutions allows the businesses to leverage off the cloud resources, technological expertise and software intelligence of the service provider, making it easier for the business owner to focus their efforts on building their business. In some cases, small businesses do not even h… With Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS), businesses can purchase infrastructure from providers as virtual resources. We have simplified the way businesses and registered tax and BAS agents authenticate and interact with us and other government agencies when using Standard Business Reporting (SBR) enabled online cloud software. Components include servers, memory, firewalls and more. A great example how significant organised data actually is can be taken from Australian e-commerce mammoth Kogan.com’s acquisition of Dick Smith Electronics in 2016. What "cloud" really means is using Internet services for file sharing, email, document sharing, etc. However, the model of today's cloud computing differs from that of mainframes of the past. Plus, the "anywhere, anytime" availability of these solutions, means hassle-free collaboration among business partners and employees using the ubiquitous browser. Cloud Servers with Servers Australia ® Cloud Servers are virtual, reliable and scalable servers in the Cloud. In addition to data storage, since the idea of cloud computing is all about endless amount of space, it can be leveraged to deeply analyse and deploy this data in very large and complex environments, all within a matter of microseconds. For instance, companies such as Egnyte and Rebit will replicate data stored locally on a hard drive or NAS to their cloud services, offering SMBs the best of both worlds: local control and access to data and peace of mind that the data is backed up to the cloud. The Australian Bureau of Statistics conducted a survey on paid Cloud computing in Australian business and found that less that one in five Australian companies reported using a paid Cloud service. Small businesses are increasingly making use of cloud technology solutions (also known as software as a service, or SaaS) for all aspects of running their business from cloud-based accounting and email marketing to document storage and backups. With cloud-based services, it’s easy to scale up your cloud capacity by drawing on the service’s remote servers. What is the cloud? We value your privacy, please see The reality is that cloud computing can … Likewise, if you need to scale down, the flexibility is baked into the service. And, one of the biggest game changers in achieving this ever-evolving goal, has been the rise of cloud computing. Let's also not forget that cloud services are subject to outages that are beyond a business' control. Instead of relying on physical servers to store important information, cloud computing allows people and businesses to access and utilise their data efficiently, in a very cost-effective fashion. We've gone through and put together a list of the best cloud storage solutions for small businesses and enterprise. Cloud computing allows you to access your data and programs outside of your own computing environment. Cloud technology. Small business consumers of the cloud remain protected by the overarching consumer protection framework that applies to all goods and services in Australia – the Australian Consumer Law (ACL). Kogan.com understood the value of this data, and after purchasing it, used it to grow and enhance their own customer databases. Download: How to choose a Cloud Computing Provider534.42 KBDownload: How to choose a Cloud Computing Provider58.83 KB Cloud services are becoming increasingly popular as consumers begin to look for new ways to store and save their data. CPA AUSTRALIA Business interest in cloud computing has grown significantly over the last few years. Top Cloud Computing Companies in Australia Cloud computing solution is the use of various services, such as software development platforms, servers, storage, and software, over the internet. Small businesses have more flexibility with cloud computing Cloud computing is your solution to your growing bandwidth demands. Now that we’ve got somewhat of an understanding as to what cloud computing actually is, let’s turn our heads towards how small business owners can integrate cloud computing into their companies, and the benefits they stand to enjoy through doing so. 42% of businesses are using paid cloud computing 1.1 Business use of cloud services The use cases for cloud services vary across industries, and this affects their likelihood of adopting these services. If your small business is considering using this technology, here is what you should know. Best cloud computing services 1. Most of these services are SaaS. Whether you're in construction, retail, healthcare, hospitality or other industries, the marketplace connects your business to quality, local suppliers, product vendors and service companies. Moving to Office 365 is often the first experience a small to medium sized business has with IT cloud solutions however there are other business applications such as accounting packages left behind on site that still need infrastructure (such as a server) and support. Many businesses are countering that complete dependency by going with hybrid cloud solutions. You're also consenting to receive communications including by email. Lynn is the author of Windows Server 2012: Up and Running, published by O'Reilly. Cloud Computing, Defined If you are a small business … If you take a look back at how businesses operated before cloud computing, there was plenty of data floating around, but little-to-no technology available to harness it. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (2001) defines a small business as one employing fewer than 20 people and includes sole proprietorships as well as partnerships without employees. Meanwhile research firm Frost & Sullivan has estimated the total value of the country’s cloud computing market in 2013 at $1.23 billion, projected to grow $4.55 billion by 2018. Likewise if you need to scale down. Cloud software authentication and authorisation. In this section we look at the pros and cons of using cloud computing solutions to manage your small business better. Cloud computing increases a small business’s flexibility Cloud-based services are ideal for businesses with growing or fluctuating bandwidth demands. For instance, businesses that sell physical stock and need a dependable way to manage, can rely on a cloud-based inventory management system SaaS solution. Cloud computing is just another way of saying internet computing. But, like with most things, there is a watered-down explanation that can help the average layperson wrap their brain around what it actually is. This is likely to continue to increase as businesses focus on keeping costs under control and gain a better understanding of the benefits cloud computing may have for them. Cloud computing allows businesses to access their information virtually, creating a flexible and global way of accessing your data any place, any time. Cloud computing isn’t an instant and infallible way of improving your business. Cloud computing can include Software-as-a-Service where a specific application or service is offered to a customer as a subscription. It was Dick Smith’s data and IP that had caught their attention. The cloud provides small businesses with mobile access to data and helps them be more competitive within their market. When going through the acquisition, Kogan.com made it very clear that it wasn’t after any physical stock. SaaS solutions use all the benefits of cloud computing in order to offer high-quality tech-driven services to individuals and businesses. Dropbox, Salesforce.com, and QuickBooks are all examples of SaaS. It is not surprising that the information, media and telecommunications industry is currently the greatest user of cloud Cloud computing has proven a boon to businesses—especially small businesses, for which it hits a particularly sweet spot. In 2010, Intuit's site went down for two days, leaving its SMB customers unable to access their data in Intuit's online offerings including Quicken, QuickBooks and TurboTax. With cloud computing, hardware becomes more efficient. Cloud Service Provider in Australia. A recent survey found that cloud computing adoption rates have been steadily increasing since 2009; however, the same survey also revealed executives' concerns over efficiently managing disparate cloud services. If your needs increase, it’s easy to scale up your cloud capacity, drawing on the service’s remote servers. The number of Australian businesses using commercial cloud computing services has risen from 19 percent to almost one-third in just one year, Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows. For these businesses, SaaS provides a way of delivering a host of software and technical services that would otherwise be cost-prohibitive and difficult to manage as on-premise, local solutions. Cloud Services. For more on ways to avoid getting burned during a cloud service provider's downtime, check out: Analyst's View: After Intuit's Apology, Cloudy Outlook for the Cloud?. According to research by Gartner, up to 60% of business owners will be relying on the cloud for hosting data by 2022, roughly doubling the numbers from 2018. Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) allows businesses a platform on which they can create and deploy custom apps, databases and line-of-business services integrated into one platform. Cloud services also provide entrepreneurs, SOHOs, and mom-and-pop outfits access to sophisticated technology without the need of an IT consultant or tech worker on the payroll. This could include applications, databases, email and file services. Second, cloud computing is a broad umbrella under which many sub-divisions fall. Solving the Cloud Mystery for Small Businesses. Here’s a beginner’s guide to cloud computing for SMEs. But moving from an existing on-prem infrastructure can be challenging. Today, thanks to SaaS and cloud computing, there are endless tech solutions that are being designed to improve the efficiency and accuracy of data aggregation. It lets you use computers, laptops, tablets, smartphones and other devices to access all your business information – seamlessly, securely and in real time. Jai is an author at Situation IT, an organisation that specialises in IT services in Australia. While people might use money to purchase their goods or services, data is the true currency of business today, and cloud computing is all about keeping that data organised. What IT services will Small Business use? IaaS providers include Amazon EC2, Rackspace, and Google Compute Engine. Solving the Cloud Mystery for Small Businesses. The technology world advances tremendously on a daily basis. She has a Bachelor's degree from Brooklyn College, several technology certifications, and she was a tech editor for the CRN Test Center. Most small businesses will more than likely only need to use SaaS services. It's nothing for cloud storage providers to quickly add another GB of storage for a customer simply at the customer's request thanks to scalable and flexible cloud-computing resources hosted by the likes of Amazon, Rackspace and other providers. Samara Lynn has nearly twenty years experience in Information Technology; most recently as IT Director at a major New York City healthcare facility. If you take a look at where Kogan.com is today (three years later), the results of organised data speak for themselves. Cloud computing allows you to respond faster to the needs of your business by having all of your resources at your fingertips. First, the sheer amount of resources available makes today's cloud computing incomparable to mainframe/terminal host computing. What follows is a roundup of twenty top cloud-computing services for small businesses. Guides. When small businesses implement SaaS solutions into their operations, they don’t need to worry about things like integration, set up costs or challenges that relate to storage bandwidth. The best cloud computing services offer the opportunity for businesses to undergo digital transformation in order to improve efficiency and reduce costs. Australian businesses are using paid cloud services more than ever, but insufficient knowledge about cloud computing is still holding some back, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. SaaS solutions use all the benefits of cloud computing in order to offer high-quality tech-driven services to individuals and businesses. Cloud Computing is the latest buzz word in IT, but what does it really mean for Small Business in Australia. We're aware that there are many, many cloud services available. 20 Top Cloud Services for Small Businesses, Best Malware Removal and Protection Software, 23 Google Search Tips You'll Want to Learn, How to Use a Smartphone App to Find Your Car, How to Declutter Your PCs, Phones, and Tablets, 8 AR Shopping Apps to Help You Avoid Buyer's Remorse, How to Use Windows 10's Narrator to Read Your Screen Aloud. Next: six cloud accounting systems at a glance At its core, technology is a tool that is being used to make the world a more efficient place. Such downtime stories serve as a sobering reminder that trusting your data and technology services to an off-site third-party places you at the mercy of that third-party's uptime reliability. Cloud computing is a complex concept that many people have devoted their entire lives to further exploring, understanding and expanding on. Examples of PaaS include Windows Azure and Google App Engine. Cloud computing is becoming increasingly popular. Small businesses are fully aware that they need hardware in order to facilitate their operations. The efficiency of delivering cloud computing resources is also credited to faster networking and Internet connectivity at a relatively low price. To think that we’ve moved from computers that filled up entire rooms to small, handheld devices that anticipate our every need is quite extraordinary. Get your business hosted in the Cloud with Servers Australia Cloud Servers. Just log in and go, anytime and anywhere. If a business uses cloud computing for their data storage and organisation, they will be able to take a pre-emptive and proactive approach to their customer service, rather than chasing after their customers in a reactive fashion. This being the case, the future of cloud computing is going to be all about enabling people to learn and adapt to the available technologies. If you take a look beneath the surface of all the excitement though, you might notice an interesting subtlety. As at June 2011, small businesses represented 96 percent of businesses in Australia (ABS 2012). While Australian cloud adoption is quite high, many businesses are still to make the move. This guide will help you to understand cloud computing, and the different ways you could use cloud computing in your business. With the aid of the cloud service providers, create an enhanced collaboration between multiple departments or branches and optimize workflow. PCMag is obsessed with culture and tech, offering smart, spirited coverage of the products and innovations that shape our connected lives and the digital trends that keep us talking. What IT support will they require to migrate and maintain their IT systems? This replaces the need to develop bespoke database systems, a process which can be challenging (and expensive) to do. The small business computing environment. Dick Smith had decades worth of organised data with customer information, as well as the trends and patterns associated with purchasing electronics in Australia. It essentially refers to the idea of storing large amount of data on the internet, instead of on physical and local servers. A simple guide for small businesses. Clouds Bring Rain A guide to the cloud (PDF), CPA Australia and Telstra, 2014. Business interest in cloud computing has grown significantly over the last few years, and is likely to continue to increase as businesses focus on keeping costs under control and the understanding of cloud computing, including its flexibility, improves. You’ll have the freedom to choose your own operating system with the resources you need, as your business needs it. Analyst's View: After Intuit's Apology, Cloudy Outlook for the Cloud. In fact it’s almost as if there is a disconnect between the capabilities of available technologies, and the knowledge surrounding their uses. But hardware does not come really cheap, and so some of them have to forcibly close their eyes and buy more hardware as their need increases. With an extensive, hands-on background in deploying and managing Microsoft Windows infrastructures and networking, she was included in Black Enterprise's "20 Black Women in Tech You Need to Follow on Twitter," and received the 2013 Small Business Influencer Top 100 Champions award. What they used to do using a roomful of computers can now be accomplished with just one or two units of hardware, situated in one corner of the office premises. Copyright © 2020 MYOB Technology Pty Ltd. All rights reserved. See our guide and move to the cloud. Cloud computing has delivered massive computing power and storage, at a relatively low cost, that has allowed all sorts of new innovations. His IT support services are tailored according to your business needs. If your personal favorite isn't on this list, tell us about it in the comments. With cloud services, small businesses reap the benefits of not having to deploy physical infrastructure like file and e-mail servers, storage systems or shrink-wrapped software. There is no denying it. In order to keep up with the pace of today’s service economy, gathering high-quality data and keeping it organised is crucial. With cloud services, small businesses reap the benefits of not having to deploy physical infrastructure like file and e-mail servers, storage systems or shrink-wrapped software. One of the ways that cloud computing is practically implemented into business offerings is through the use of software-as-a-service (SaaS) solutions. For example, if you have a Dropbox account or have signed up for MYOB Essentials, then you’re already using cloud-based solutions in your business. Australian businesses have been slow to adopt Cloud technology. One of the ways that cloud computing is practically implemented into business offerings is through the use of software-as-a-service (SaaS) solutions. Many complain that the concept of cloud computing is merely a marketing term to define centralized, mainframe computing. Of course, cloud computing raises concerns about security, stability, and data ownership. Jai is a specialist in all things IT, including onsite IT support services, remote IT support services, cloud computing, MYOB solutions, and residential IT support services. The Cloud Computing Australia Wednesday, February 17, 2016. For businesses that have outgrown their small business accounting application, an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system may be the next step. At the other end of the scale, we’ve looked at simple invoicing apps (some with useful extras) that might suit very small service businesses. In fact, it's not a stretch to say that aside from a locally installed desktop operating system and browser (or increasingly, from a single mobile device) a lot of today's small business technology needs can be fulfilled almost completely with cloud-based offerings. Cloud Computing Trending Articles SavvySME ® brings the best business ideas, tools and experts for small and medium-sized businesses. A 2014 report from the International Data Corporation revealed that about 86 per cent of all businesses in Australia were using the cloud. The cloud takes the stress out of computing. Rather than storing your data and software on your personal computer or server, it is stored in 'the cloud'. An avid Xbox gamer, she unashamedly admits to owning …. Eventually, the age of cloud computing will lead to a total alignment between people, data, and technology. 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