Time right for business to get its cloud cover

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This was published 12 years ago

Time right for business to get its cloud cover

By Alexandra Cain

THERE'S an awful lot of hype around about cloud computing, but so far very little take-up. Research by Optus shows that only 4 per cent of small businesses use cloud solutions in their business.

But experts said 2012 would be the year small businesses truly embrace this new technology model.

Room to move ... but only four per cent  of small businesses use cloud computing.

Room to move ... but only four per cent of small businesses use cloud computing.

Rhys Evans from IT consultancy Thomas Duryea said one of the reasons for this is because computer hardware increasingly comes with cloud-based applications installed.

"These days when you buy a laptop or a phone, cloud-based applications like Google Apps and Dropbox are already installed," said Mr Evans.

Another trend he predicts for 2012 is mobile payment systems being used by small businesses.

"We will start to see an increasing number of small businesses offer near-field communication payment systems like Paywave to their customers," he said.

According to Mr Evans, IT security for small businesses will also gain more prominence this year.

"Again, cloud platforms will increasingly be used by small businesses to back up their data. It's much safer to put your information in the cloud than on an external hard drive in the boot of your car," he said.

The managing director of Optus small and medium business, Rohan Ganeson, said that cloud-based applications will help increase efficiency.

"There is a huge opportunity in 2012 for small businesses to evaluate how technology can help them better manage costs, grow their business and respond to evolving consumer behaviours," he said.

"As the economy remains tight and uncertain, the cloud represents a potential for cost and efficiency savings small businesses can use to stay competitive.''

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