More SMBs adopting cloud technology, SaaS
Thursday, December 15, 2011 11:53:23 PM
While many government agencies and large companies have already realized the cost-saving and improved flexibility benefits of transferring services to the cloud, small businesses aren't far behind. According to a SmartData Collective report, several recent research studies have concluded that small and medium-sized businesses are increasingly using cloud technology, especially Software-as-a-Service.
The report said SMBs naturally have smaller IT budgets than larger organizations, making SaaS a solid option for SMBs with limited IT staff and infrastructure. Citing a survey by a leading cloud solution provider, the report said 14 percent of SMBs were using cloud software in 2009, but that figure is expected to reach 35 percent in 2012.
The survey also revealed several positive effects cloud technology can bring SMBs, as 42 percent of such businesses reported reduced IT workloads and 50 percent have lowered costs. Improving efficiency and making cloud management simple are extremely important for many SMBs, with 42 percent of those companies having no IT department.
Experts say small businesses can especially benefit from adding SaaS services, which allow them to receive the same powerful cloud-based applications that large corporations use, such as accounting, travel planning and tax software.
-McAfee Cloud Security
