Cloud Communications Increase Business Potential
The cloud has significantly impacted modern corporations, from the smallest startup to the largest enterprise. For small and medium-sized businesses in particular, cloud computing systems technology represents a major potential advantage if leveraged correctly, as it can allow the company to do far more with fewer resources. While there are a number of ways that cloud technology can benefit SMBs, one area which a company can see considerable advantages is with cloud communications such as a hosted PBX solution from AccessDirect.
Benefits of Cloud Computing
ZDNet recently reported that SMBs that do not embrace the cloud and use it to their advantage are losing out on opportunities to make money. In particular, a recent report from market research firm Colmar Brunton indicated that businesses that utilize cloud computing are more likely to increase revenue, yet only 16 percent of Australian SMBs surveyed were reportedly using the cloud.
Furthermore, IDC estimated that the cloud computing market could reach $55 billion by the end of 2014, as cloud software, infrastructure and platforms continue to grow in number and sophistication. Ken Porter, CloudTweaks contributor and notable programmer, explored some of the many ways that the cloud computing systems can benefit SMBs, including for supporting security, mobility, client services, strategic management and risk management initiatives.
“Whether a small business has a dozen workers or just one, few employees stay chained to their desk anymore,” Porter wrote. “Businesses that work entirely online can conduct their business from anywhere at anytime, if the employees are working from mobile devices in their own ‘virtual office.’ Cloud computing allows field agents to access data and take payments with commodity mobile devices.”
How Cloud Computing Boosts Business Communications
Cloud services like AccessDirect’s virtual business phone system can also be leveraged to extend collaboration solutions to benefit customers. This means that while contact center representatives can use cloud-hosted phone solutions to improve their response time, controls can be appropriately set to also allow customers to access their accounts and edit information, increasing thee likelihood that representatives are always working with the most current information. With updated data, the customer service department can increase its productivity and provide an optimal customer experience.
In a recent Wired article, network management expert Steve Campbell noted how changes in networking has led to a shift in business communications, citing a Spiceworks report that found over 60 percent of SMBs currently using cloud-based services. Campbell in particular pointed to mobile device trends in workplace environments as a prime example of the growth of cloud-based communications.
“The installed base of smart mobile devices is forecast to have surpass the installed base of desktop and notebook PCs for the first time in the second quarter of 2013,” Campbell wrote. “As people’s lifestyles become increasingly connected, so do their workstyles. By providing the ability to work when, where and on a device of choice, both employees and business win.”
Virtual PBX can help SMBs compete in the marketplace, as virtual phone services can be scaled appropriately to meet changing demands and are thus an ideal solution for a wide variety of businesses. AccessDirect offers a variety of cloud computing systems to enhance your business efficiency.
