So, what is this cloud computing stuff anyway….
Well, looking at it from a small business perspective, it could be a way to get most of your day to day software for free and it can also be somewhere to store all of your documents either free or for a small monthly fee. It also means that all of the documents you use day-to-day are available from any pc with an internet connection, so you’re not tied to being in the office to work. One of the biggest players to get into the cloud computing world is Google - with Google Docs. This fully web based service lets you make Office compatible documents through your browser that are saved on Google’s servers, not on your PC, and this means that you can open and work on them anywhere and you can even give other people permission to look at and edit them. So think of ‘the cloud’ as a virtual place for you to work on and store your documents – it can bring productivity benefits, it’s free, or at worst, very inexpensive and it lets you work wherever you want – which means there must be a catch….
Is cloud computing right for you?
I suppose it’s not really a catch, but there are things you need to know before you take the plunge into the cloud. It takes a very brave person to upload their entire business onto someone elses computers and trust that it’ll still be there when they come back – and there is the main problem. If you get really bored one day, take a look at the terms and conditions of Google Docs – in a nutshell, it says ‘if it all goes wrong and we lose your documents, we’re not responsible, also, if we want to, we can suspend or delete your account any time we like, without having to notify you’, scary stuff if your entire world is sitting on their servers. Equally, you’ve got the problem of having to have a broadband connection to be able to work – could you afford to do nothing for a few days because someone has cut your phone line with a JCB?
Afetr reading this, you might think I’m against it, but cloud computing is a wonderful thing and can be used by many companies to improve the way they work – we use it and it works really well. Just have a good long think about what you’re going to use it for and how it would affect your business if it all disappeared – my advice, give it a go for something non-critical and see how it goes, you might be converted or do the same as us and use it as a backup for your physical office.
If you’ve already taken the plunge into cloud computing, how’s it all been – good or bad??
Tags: backing up business data, management information systems, small business management
Something you may find with Google is compatibility with margins, fonts and sizing when opening in Office applications. Keep in mind; there is another option for free cloud computing to work from anywhere – Microsoft Office Web Apps through Windows Live. You’ll get web-based versions of Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote. Access, view and edit your documents and collaborate from any PC and mobile devices. Here’s a link with more info: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/web-apps/?CTT=97
Regards,
Jodi E.
Microsoft SMB Outreach Team
v-jodie@microsoft.com
I have used google docs and it is really useful, however I’ve never relied upon it, it’s just been used as a ‘bonus tool’. I don’t quite yet want to upload everything about my business to the internet, and as quite rightly pointed out, if something happens to google, we lose out. Good to use, but don’t rely upon it solely! Good post
i am currently using google docs and google wave for all my online transactions..but i always keep a copy on my computer in case something wrong happens..
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Hans is right. We are not ready to use such systems. The problem is in psychology: we don`t believe in the absolute reliability of the systems we don`t have full control over. So cloud computing might be a joy of the future generations))
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I still cant get my head around not being able to work offline. I like finding a peaceful quiet corner of the house and getting on with my work regardless of hot wireless and hassle.