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How to leverage the power of the cloud

As a Caribbean business owner, you must realize that while your website is your virtual front office, in this rapidly evolving global marketplace, the cloud has the power to be your invincible workspace. A place to run the more complicated aspects of your business, without necessarily incurring exorbitant costs. Whether you run a more traditional business or have a more digital-oriented brand, cloud computing services offer exciting possibilities.  

Here are some benefits of leveraging cloud computing for your business:  

  • Focus on Business Innovation  

It is impossible to keep track of the new and evolving technical requirements, and maintenance needs to keep your business ahead of the curve. This is especially true for small and medium-sized businesses without adequately manned IT departments. Pushing the burden of keeping up with these procedures to dedicated cloud-based software services frees you to focus on the fundamental aspects of your business. Innovate and focus on your brand without having the burden of constantly upgrading your computing platforms weighing on your mind 

  • Cost Saving 
    In a piece featured in Forbes, a high-level executive at Oracle revealed businesses saved, on average, 30-50% of normal running costs when they switch to the cloud platform offered by the company. 

    Businesses in the Caribbean stand to gain quite a bit from switching to cloud-based services. The financial benefits amount to more capital that can be directed to positive endeavors like marketing and talent retention.  

  • Secured Databases 
    Uptime is critical. No business looking to thrive in the 21st century can afford to have its systems offline for even as short as an hour. Cloud-based platforms, powered by top-of-class security and a recovery protocol, ensure your business is never off the grid for too long.  

    Shifting your databases to the cloud also ensures you always have an up-to-date snapshot of your systems in the event of man-made or natural disasters. Business owners can take solace because their business is secured in the cloud ecosystem. 

  • Increased Productivity 
    A massive upside to being able to run a virtual workspace is the ability it gives your employees to collaborate on the go. Working on cloud-based applications significantly improves your employees’ capability to perform tasks without being at a brick-and-mortar office. In the wake of the pandemic, cloud-based workspaces have helped companies mitigate the fallout of the virus— with workers able to hit their goals while working remotely.  
  • Optimized Data Analysis 
    Data is the backbone of modern business. Analyzing your key metrics and acting on these insights is the only way to improve your profitability and market reach. Cloud-based analytical systems perform these comprehensive analyses in record time while incurring minimal costs. Your data, which would take up ample office space, can also be securely stored in the cloud.  

    The cloud offers countless opportunities for businesses looking to optimize their operations while simultaneously saving costs and triggering innovations. Business owners and managers stand to gain measurable and intangible benefits from making the switch to cloud-based services. 

    Learn more about Microsoft’s approach to Digital Transformation via the YouTube video above.