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3 Things Every SME Needs for Successful Cloud Computing Adoption

Just going for a cloud computing solution today is not enough. Here are three other technologies you also need.

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Anil Chopra
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Cloud Computing PCQuest

Just going for a cloud computing solution today is not enough. Here are three other technologies you also need.

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Indian SMEs are gradually accepting cloud computing instead of investing money upfront on their own IT infrastructure. According to a survey by Circle Research Global last year, out of 800 senior SME decision makers with up to 1,000 employees, 90% felt that cloud adoption was becoming increasingly important for their business success.

SMEs More Open to Embracing Cloud

Possibly the key concerns of security and loss of control over data that every SME has about cloud computing are getting overpowered by the cost advantage, and the need of every business owner today to innovate faster. Another probable cause is the assurances given by cloud biggies like Amazon Web Services and local cloud players alike, that their Indian customers’ data would remain in India and not go out of the country.

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We got a re-validation of this trend live on our recent visit to Pune’s Pimpri-Chinchwad area, where we met key office bearers of the local Plastics Manufacturing Association. We discovered that cloud based ERP was something many SMEs in the region aspired to adopt. It was their ultimate goal, after setting up basic accounting and productivity solutions in-house. We noticed a similar trend among SMEs in Vashi (Navi Mumbai) as well.

Cloud Computing Alone is Not Enough

In order to realize the true potential of cloud computing, SMEs need to consider several other products and technologies as well, which would form a complete a cloud eco-system.

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1. Use Thin Clients

One is to use thin clients instead of regular desktop PCs in office, to access cloud based apps. Since most of the computing takes place in the cloud, thin clients are a good option. They’re cheaper, lighter, consume lesser power, and are easier to maintain as compared to their heavier traditional counterparts.

2. Go Mobile

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Second is the right mobile devices. With everything in the cloud, you want to be able to give access to it from anywhere at any time, and from any device. Depending upon who you’re buying the mobile device for, your choice varies from simple barebones laptops to high-end ultrabooks to even convertibles that can double up as a tablet or a laptop. This will enable your workforce to be productive from anywhere. Smartphones also deserve a mention here, but you’ll probably want your employees to use their own. What you will have to check though is whether your cloud computing provider allows access from a smartphone, either via a mobile app or HTML5 or some other technology.

3. Get Enough Internet Bandwidth

Third most important thing is sufficient and consistent Internet bandwidth, without which, it’s pointless to move to a cloud based environment. This is where the right Internet data cards, and local DSL connectivity comes into the picture. It’s also something that telecom vendors need to make note, because we’ve received consistent feedback from many SMEs that the quality of Internet bandwidth in their regions are quite sad. Telecom vendors—are you listening? Companies would have to select the right data cards for their mobile devices, and probably have Internet connectivity from different ISPs so that if one fails, there’s a second one available as backup.

If you have other recommendations about using cloud computing, then please do share them in the comments below, or write to us directly at pcquest@cybermedia.co.in

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