Running your business in the cloud may sound scary but you must not fear cloud technology.

Many small business owners, running their operations in the cloud means that they can access their data from anywhere, on any device at anytime.

Does that sound bad to you? No, the answer is no.

Embracing the cloud not only assists the bottom line, it also takes your company’s security to a whole new level. 

Before we get into why your business needs to use the cloud, you might be wondering what that even means.

You can use the cloud multiple ways, but we most often think of it in terms of storing and sharing data (more on other uses below).

Previously, information and data has been stored on a computer’s hard drive.

So, if a computer crashes, is lost or damaged, becomes infected with a virus, that data cannot be recovered.

Thankfully, with cloud technology we can store all of our files and documents over the internet.

In the horrible event a fire does happen, your computer is stole or damaged, or it’s been hacked.

You’ll be able to retrieve your documents because they have been stored safely on the cloud versus that computers hard drive (this is also why there’s such thing as backups).

The cloud continues to grow from large corporations to the smallest of businesses.

Because of this there are a raft of technology companies investing in solutions to help these businesses run their operations how they like.

So, why should your business move to the cloud?

Here's 5 reasons on how this will benefit your business:

 1. Cloud Promotes Innovation and Agility

I am not going to make it sound like everything is easy about moving to the cloud because there is going to be an adjustment period that many have to go through.

However, once that adjustment is over, I promise your business will be at another level of productivity and agility.

The whole point of the cloud is to welcome change and grow your business in a way that amplifies your businesses success.

Moving to the cloud helps speed up traditional workflows, challenges teams to think differently about their traditional jobs and how they work together and spurs innovation. 

2. You Have An Accurate View Of Your Finances

Having accounting software that isn't cloud based can really impact your business processes. 

Using cloud accounting software, like Xero, means you enter your data once, so you can work on a single ledger with your financial advisor.

With direct data feeds from your financial institutions and automatic bank reconciliations, you’ll know exactly where your business stands.

3. APPS, APPS, APPS

The cloud in extremely flexible which means you can scale up solutions or scale down one that don't work, which is much simpler than old desktop software.

Once you're up-and-running on a cloud platform you can plug in any multitude of add-on apps.

You can streamline workflows, digitize traditional paper-based processes like signing documents, automate tedious tasks such as invoice chasing or even improve team communication.

The move to the cloud opens up a whole vibrant ecosystem of apps ready to help you work smarter.  

4. Peace Of Mind

With teams of data security specialists focusing on protecting your data, the cloud is one of the most secure ways to store information.

For example, by using cloud software, if your laptop is stolen, no one can access your data unless they have a login to the online account.

With cloud software, this is where the data lives - as opposed to on your hard drive.

In the event of a natural disaster or fire, being in the cloud means business productivity doesn't need to be affected because there's no downtime.

All of your information is safely and securely stored off site.

As long as you have access to any computer or mobile device connected to the internet, you're back up and running.

In addition to this, if you invite users to view your data, you can control their level of access.

This is much more secure than the old-fashioned way of emailing your files or sending out a USB stick with your data on it.

Or the largest security hole: sharing a login.

YIKES.

5. Collaboration Made Easy

Remember the days when all your documents were saved on your hard drive and you'd either have to back it up or risk losing your life's work forever?

That's no longer an issue.

The cloud is a platform that makes data and software accessible online anytime, anywhere, and from any device.

Your hard drive is no longer the central hub. 

Your mobile, combined with tools like Hangouts, Skype, HipChat or Slack, means you have plenty of ways to stay in touch with your team and your clients.

You can track projects, comments, and with no need for a clunky relic of a desk phone, you have more space.

It's an all-round winner.

Check it out: 5 Ways Technology Increases Team Collaboration

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