In a world where everyone’s trying to level up, it’s easy for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to worry about being left behind. Technology is usually at the forefront of these changes, and tapping into emerging new tools can be the perfect springboard to launch your IT strategy towards greater success. However, new tech is often abstract and confusing for non-IT professionals, especially cloud-based IT services. In today’s blog, we’re unpacking what cloud support is, what benefits it offers SMEs, and how leveraging it could help send your business sky-high. Ready to take off?

What Exactly Is the Cloud?

Far less whimsical than the fluffy white things up above, when we’re talking about tech, the “cloud” is essentially a metaphor for the internet. It encompasses the vast network of remote servers around the world that are linked together and meant to operate as a single ecosystem, plus all of the software that runs on those servers. You could think of the cloud like an infinite, invisible storage box for all your business’s data, files, applications, and backups. As long as you have an internet connection, you can access whatever you need from this box, regardless of where you are or the time of day. And, since this box is remote, you never have to worry about having enough space for it.

Cloud support, or cloud-based services, refers to various IT services, like servers, storage, databases, and software, being delivered over the internet. Rather than having to build and maintain computing infrastructures in-house, these services enable businesses to consume computing resources as a utility, just like electricity.

The Rise of Remote IT Services in Devon

One key reason for the rising adoption of cloud support is the ongoing digital transformation in various sectors, pushing businesses to rethink their operational models. Another is the growing emphasis on remote or hybrid working, since cloud solutions offer vital capabilities for remote data access, collaboration, and security. In Devon, where SMEs range from tourism-centric services to agricultural enterprises, the need for flexibility and scalability in IT is becoming more and more crucial. As the global business environment becomes increasingly interconnected, cloud computing allows local SMEs to stay competitive and adaptable.

How Cloud Support Could Elevate Your Business

Although it offers a multitude of benefits, for SMEs, the clearest advantage of cloud support can be summarised by one thing: reduced IT costs. All of the following perks add up to substantial savings for your business:

  • Reduced Need for In-Person IT Teams: Traditionally, maintaining an in-house IT team has been a significant hurdle for SMEs due to the costs and logistical challenges involved. Cloud services reduce this burden by providing access to cutting-edge tech and expert support without the need for in-house personnel. This not only keeps costs down but also allows you to focus on core business activities rather than IT management.
  • Up-to-Date IT Support: Aside from the initial expenses of sourcing an in-house IT team, ensuring their training and knowledge stay up-to-speed with your business’s growing demands poses an additional cost. By pairing cloud support with managed IT services, you gain assurance that your remote services are being monitored and maintained by an expert team educated in the latest cloud solutions.
  • Enhanced Cyber Security: Cyber security is a major concern for all businesses, and SMEs are often the most vulnerable due to resource limitations. The cloud offers robust security measures that are more sophisticated than most SMEs could afford or manage on their own. This includes automated backups, around-the-clock threat detection, and regular security audits, all of which significantly reduce the risk and potential costs associated with data breaches.
  • Scalability Without Heavy Investment: For SMEs in Devon, scalability is often a challenge, especially with limited budgets and fluctuating demands. Cloud support provides a solution by enabling you to scale IT resources up or down as needed without the hefty investment in physical on-site infrastructure. This elasticity means that your business can expand operations or reduce them during slower periods without financial strain.
  • Faster Recovery from Data Loss: Data is a critical asset for any business, and its loss can be devastating. Cloud-hosted storage services minimise the downtime associated with data recovery, thanks to secure, automated backups and disaster recovery plans. This ensures that after any incidents, your business can quickly regain access to data with the least amount of operational disruption.

There are benefits beyond your business’s bank account, too. With improved accessibility allowing your team to work from anywhere, your business can embrace more flexible arrangements. Whether that means employing invaluable team members outside of Devon or introducing work-from-home days to provide a better work-life balance for your team, cloud support could help move your business into the modern working world. What’s more, contemporary tech stops your team from battling unyielding IT, letting them concentrate on what they’re best at. A happy team is a productive one, and a productive team leads to many more happy customers.

How to Make the Cloud Work for You

Now you know what the cloud is and how it could boost your SME, but we’re yet to cover perhaps the most important advantage of all. The key reason businesses are choosing remote support over traditional IT services is its unparalleled customisability.

Unlike standard tech solutions, you can choose exactly what cloud services your business needs. As such, you avoid overspending on unnecessary features that may be utterly useless to your team. From online storage that can be increased or reduced at the click of a button to industry-specific financial management software that integrates seamlessly with your existing IT, cloud support allows you to pick and choose services that fit your business like a glove. You get to create an entirely unique, optimised IT environment that off-the-shelf solutions could never compete with.

Final Thoughts

With any luck, this post has convinced you that cloud services are a step seriously worth considering. Wherever your SME is currently and wherever you’d like to reach, there is a cloud-based solution out there just waiting to be harnessed. The long and short of it is this: embracing cloud support enables you to dream bigger. Pardon the pun, but when you’re not being limited by expensive IT overhauls, concerns about cyber security capabilities, or outdated software, the sky really is the limit.

BCNS: Uplifting Devon’s Businesses Since 1999

We’re proficient in efficiency. By pairing you with a dedicated IT support engineer, we can provide you with bespoke solutions designed to optimise your operations. Whether you’d like to launch into the cloud or have a different IT concern in mind, our experienced team would be happy to help. Get in touch today to book a zero-obligation consultation.