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Is the Cloud Right for Your Small Business?

The business of “cloud computing” has grown drastically over the last several years. Essentially, computing via cloud allows you access to your computer and files wherever you may be, regardless of physical location. Parallels, a software company, reports that the market for cloud computing is expected to grow annually at a rate of 28%. Last year alone, six million small and medium businesses (SMB) purchased their first cloud service.

But is cloud computing the right path for all small businesses?

PROs:

Low IT cost
Reduced software expenses
Ability for employees and staff to work anywhere with an internet connection.
Offers flexibility for businesses with employees who travel or have remote staff.

CONs:

Need steady internet connection, which may require increased bandwidth.
Security and privacy is in the hands of the cloud service provider.
Dependency on one vendor

Bottom line

Do your research. Some SMB could find that cloud-only computing doesn’t offer the security they need, and might opt for a hybrid of servers and cloud (PEX Card does both!). Other SMBs may find that cloud computing offers the right amount of low cost and flexibility. Cloud computing may be a new technology, but it’s not going anywhere. Find the cloud service that’s right for your SMB!

Published: March 19, 2014
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Toffer Grant

Realizing that banks and card issuers were not serving the development of prepaid debit card services for small and mid-sized companies, Toffer Grant founded PEX Card to help SMBs maximize the efficiency of their financial operations. His career in the prepaid card industry began in 2000 at Clarity Payment Solutions, a leading venture-backed platform company servicing the budding prepaid industry. Toffer focused on customized check to card payment conversions for large brand corporate clients and grew a high value reseller network for the company. Over six years, he initiated 65 prepaid card programs in consumer, corporate and emerging verticals of the prepaid card industry. Toffer saw the company grow from a tech startup to life in a large public company after acquisition by TSYS in 2004. Follow Toffer on LinkedIn and PexCard on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.