How to Transition Your Business to the "Cloud"

Unless you are a super tech savvy business owner, the term “The Cloud” can seem foreign and intimidating. When it’s suggested to transition your business to The Cloud it can become even more confusing and difficult to understand. So to transition your business to The Cloud, we must first understand what the cloud is and what it can do to benefit your business.

What is the Cloud?

The Cloud is a term for the part of technology that insures that information we send over the web is correctly routed to the proper destination. The cloud of today was created over time due to a need for storage, databases and software. Before the cloud, information was saved to floppy disks and then taken to its recipient. However, that was not economical for businesses so servers were created. These server networks were able to share information easily throughout offices but presented a problem if information was needed to be shared with sister offices that were not on the same office server. To solve this problem, wide area networks were created. These networks run through lines (now internet lines) provided by cable and phone services. When information would be sent out through these wide area networks, many people didn’t understand where the information went, appearing as though information was sent into the sky and somehow ended up in the right spot. It was this thought process that developed the name “the Cloud.” So the beginnings of the Cloud essentially insured information sent ended up in the intended destination.

As time progressed, businesses housed servers and databases that assisted the cloud in sharing information. The idea to have databases and servers that connect directly to the cloud soon were developed, thus creating economical computer solutions for business owners.

Companies were created to house databases and servers that allowed direct storage within the cloud. This eliminates the need for individual businesses to have servers and databases within the offices. Soon other companies were created that had software on their servers and provided a service of software on the Cloud. Service as a Software (SAAS) allows companies to access software on the cloud instead of installing software on every computer within the business. This also eliminates the need for updating every single computer within the company, as the SAAS company updates the software without hassle to business owners. One software application the many businesses are familiar with is accounting programs such as QuickBooks. By using the QuickBooks program on the Cloud, it allows businesses QuickBooks remote access to finances at anytime and anywhere there is an internet connection. It also eliminates the need for constant, time consuming updates.

Transitioning your Business

Now that you have a better understanding of what the cloud is and how it can assist businesses, let’s talk transitioning.

Depending on your business, transitioning to the cloud can be an exciting innovation or met with distain. If you are a company that embraces in technology, transitioning to the cloud will be easy and fun. If you are a company that has used the same programs for years, you may be met with some opposition from employees. The best way to transition employees to a new system is to host educational conferences with information and training on the new way to share data and access software within the company. Many may doubt crossing over to the cloud but it easily places all business needs in a simple, one stop format. The cloud offers amazing opportunities for applications and the use of those applications from anywhere. Whether from a phone, desktop, laptop or tablet, your employees will be able to access all they’d need to sustain your companies work model. Once employees are aware of how much simpler work tasks will be by using the cloud, they often times embrace the cloud and never look back.

Another part of business transition to the cloud is excess servers and hardware. Once you’ve moved to the cloud, offices now have no need for the computer servers and hardware they once used. While transitioning, look into recycling or donation programs for your unused hardware and servers.

Lastly, hire a professional (often times the company providing your cloud services has someone) to help cross over and integrate your business’s existing systems to the cloud. This will save time and hassle and start you on your way to Cloud business practices.

The Result of a Transition to the Cloud

Businesses that transition to the Cloud experience increased efficiency in sharing information and using software systems. A perfect example is the remote access QuickBooks provides over the cloud. It results in access from any computer within the company to assist in accounting effectiveness. Businesses that transition also experience lower operating costs and ease of information sharing between employees and customers.

Levion is an integration for QuickBooks for Windows that allows remote access to QuickBooks. Levion allows the user access from any device with an internet browser. Levion joins your existing QuickBooks functionality with the mobility and availability that QuickBooks remote access login allows. Levion is not a QuickBooks app—it is QuickBooks re-imagined.

Author Bio: James has provided guidance for many years to entrepreneurs and has become very educated with Quickbooks remote access. Levion is a particular company that allows the users access from any device with an internet browser. Levion helps you work alongside your existing QuickBooks.

Insider Clue on Cellphone Success in Africa

Some time this year I came across a brochure from fnbzambia about cellphone banking. Just like most people with very little interest to read I quickly put the brochure in my bag telling myself that maybe it was just like some of the Accounting products that we have seen come and go in Africa, Until I came across this report entitled Africa Mobile Fact book 2008.

These latest mobile phone market statistics gave me a clue and opened my eyes into the future business opportunities in the wireless revolution that has made Africa the world’s fastest growing mobile market.

According to these statistics, the African market is expanding nearly twice as much as Asia providing a very bright future for innovative cellphone services such as cellphone banking which provide convenience and other value added services on the African market.

Services such as SMS is expected to gain massive market popularity as the subscriber base increases making Africa the fastest growing in the world with mobile penetration in the region ranging from 100% to 30%.

For example, in South Africa alone, the mobile penetration rate is 84 percent. When I read this, I even said to my self that this exactly explains why FNB Cellphone Banking is already a huge success in South Africa.

In addition, the total subscribers in the region are expected to reach up to 561.18 million translating into 53.5% by 2012.

Cell Phones have indeed become a part of modern-day life in Africa. It is not unusual to see an old farmer riding in an oxcart while talking on a cell phone and a beggar pause in his solicitation to make or take a call on his phone.

Technology has found its way into every corner of the world even crossing the barrier between the rich and poor and has become a part of life for many in Africa.

The problems of mobility, convenience and security continue to exist in Africa and innovative products such as cellphone banking that give small business men and women the ability to perform business banking transactions anywhere and any time in a convenient and secure manner will enjoy a great success and market share in Africa.

Improve Your Business With simpro Mobile Pen

Small Mobile based Business operations are often characterised with delays in paper work and Accounting entries. The release of Mobile Devices such as simPRO Mobile Digital Pen by trade management Software provider simPRO, this may soon be a thing of the past.

The simPRO Mobile Digital Pen has since its release been successfully integrated with Xero Accounting Software. I wish it could be intergrated with even more Accounting Systems.

This means that Small Business Xero Software users can now have their field based staff complete an Invoice sheet right at the clients premises and that invoice is available immediately for Account update In Xero at the office.

According to simPRO, the Mobile Devices work by utilising the anato based digital pen & paper technology to create invoice pages.

You can then hand write your orders, invoices and expenses while in the field. The content is then stored in the pen and then this is transmitted via Bluetooth to your mobile Phone and subsequently to your office through the internet. At the office, the data is first stored in a web based simPRO Mobile form portal in PDF format in the original handwriting with signatures.

The bookkeeper will have to check the invoice and approve it before it is finally converted in to a data file using powerful hand writing recognition software while retaining another copy in the sipmPRO Mobile Portal form.

You can Watch the Video for a full illustration on how to integrate the simPRO Mobile Devices with Xero Accounting Software.