Cloud Communications

How Cloud Communications Can Offer SMBs Enterprise-Class Solutions

By Erin Harrison Executive Editor, Cloud Computing

In the past, companies craving expansion were able to afford more advanced technological tools to augment their businesses’ efficiency and workflow – usually costly endeavors that large enterprises today can afford. However, considering the number of small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in the U.S., there is a significant market for companies that are looking to grow but don’t have an enterprise-size IT budget for hardware and software.

This is where cloud communications comes in. The cloud has leveled the playing field for small businesses and startups that oftentimes lack the IT budgets that were once needed to compete with their larger counterparts.

“The decision to invest in hardware for your business is a major one, and when you do get to making it then you need to think about future-proofing it, which makes the expense even bigger than what you can afford at the time,” cloud communications expert GFI Software sounded off in a recent blog post.

In short, cloud communications provides SMBs with access, scalable solutions and reduced capital expenses (CAPEX) – to name just a few of the benefits.

“For the first time ever, cloud services have made it possible to run enterprise-level productivity suites, e-mail protection, CRMs, online faxing and security solutions which were previously only available to companies which could afford to install, maintain and run this solution on a server which is hosted on-premise,” the blog, written by GFI’s Richard Muscat Azzopardi.

While there may still be drawbacks of using the cloud – such as the total cost of ownership (TCO), which is usually more expensive than paying for licenses for on-premise communications – the positives almost always outweigh the negatives, he added.

“Cloud service providers are benefiting from economies of scale which make it possible for them to offer you, the small business owner, a very competitive price,” he notes. “Others cite downtime as another potential drawback, however cloud service providers usually guarantee much better records than any on-premise solution.”

For example, GFI Cloud, which is designed to help support the growth of businesses, offers a Web-based interface for integrated antivirus, asset tracking and network management. GFI Cloud also has automated checks and continuous scanning that are aimed to help SMBs save time and focus on more strategic, business-building IT initiatives. It’s these types of robust solutions that perfectly offer SMBs what they need to ensure future success.

To learn more about all of GFI’s offerings, visit www.GFI.com.

Want to learn more about cloud computing solutions geared specifically towards small to medium-sized businesses?  Don’t miss the Cloud4SMB Expo, collocated with ITEXPO Miami 2013, Jan 29- Feb. 1 in Miami, Florida.  Stay in touch with everything happening at Cloud4SMB Expo. Follow us on Twitter.

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