Tag Archive for: cloud computing

4 Reasons Why Small Businesses Should Embrace The Cloud

For every company that wants to stay competitive, cloud adoption is no longer an option – it’s a necessity. According to cloud computing provider RightScale, 93% of organizations now use cloud technologies in some form or fashion. So, if you haven’t moved to the Cloud yet, this post will help you understand why you should. Here are four facts that small businesses should not ignore about the Cloud.

SMBs that move to the cloud typically doubled profits and achieved 25 percent revenue growth.

(Source: Exact and Pb7 Research via Business Wire)

Small businesses globally are adopting cloud technologies. According to Deloitte, “SMBs using an above average of cloud services grow 26% faster than those that use no cloud tools, and are more profitable by 21% on average.” So what is it exactly about the cloud that enables businesses to double profits and achieve increased revenue growth? One major reason is that cloud-based applications allow businesses to run operations at any time and from anywhere.

Commercient SYNC, for example, allows sales reps to provide premier customer service no matter where they are, by syncing data automatically between your ERP and CRM. This gives your sales team the power to more rapidly respond to changing customer needs and market shifts, and also expand into new markets and target new segments.

More than 90% of all companies saw at least one area of improvement in their IT department since they moved to the cloud.

Another reason that small businesses should not ignore the Cloud is that it can save your IT team from having to juggle storage and memory in a local network, and from having to search through logs. This is all done by your cloud provider.

Also, with cloud-based applications your IT department doesn’t have to worry about performing a manual, organization-wide update because cloud-based applications, like Commercient’s Iot Pulse, automatically refresh and update themselves. This allows your IT team to focus on coming up with great ideas, addressing long-standing problems, and improving the overall user experience. According to Microsoft Dynamics, 60% of businesses move to the cloud to free up IT resources to work on more strategic tasks.

82% of all companies saved money in their last cloud adoption project.

(Source: TNS)

Another fact that should not be ignored about the Cloud is that it can also help you cut costs. Cloud-based services can help you save money on many fronts, including server maintenance, software licensing and upgrade expenses, power and cooling costs, and much more. By moving to the cloud, you don’t have to spend money to maintain hardware that often goes unused, but instead subscribe to software and services for a low monthly fee. And this can help you stretch your budget further. With all of our SYNC data integration apps, pricing is based per user, per month, giving you the ability to scale up or down to meet current demands, which can save you and your business a lot of money.

94% of managers say their business security has improved after adopting cloud applications.

(Source: iCorps Technologies)

Cloud-based services allow you to back up your data frequently or automatically to a safe online location, so that if the unexpected happens, you can be back up and running within minutes. With your data consistently being constant backed up, and the very fact that the data is not physically stored onsight, serves to improve security. This is also a benefit in the event of a natural disaster.

With Commercient SYNC, you can integrate the data between your ERP and CRM systems in a safe and secure environment. And operating within the cloud makes it easier to grant your employees varying levels of controlled access to the data that you sync into your CRM system. This assurance that your data is always safe allows you to focus more on the other aspects of your business.

For more information about our cloud-based applications, including our SYNC data integration and IoT Pulse apps, contact us to get a demo today.

Reaping the Benefits of Cloud-Based Apps

Businesses all around the world are realizing the power of cloud-based applications. According to a survey conducted by Elon University, “Technology experts and stakeholders say they expect they will ‘live mostly in the cloud’ in 2020 and not on the desktop, working mostly through cyberspace-based applications accessed through networked devices.” Operating in the cloud offers many benefits, including reducing the need for infrastructure, increasing efficiency, reducing onsite IT costs, and so much more. Check out three of the best benefits of cloud-based apps below.

 

Benefit #1: They Are Fast

If you like rapid deployment, then you’ll love cloud-based applications; they can be updated, tested and deployed quickly. In fact, in most cases cloud-based apps can be up and running in just a few days or few weeks. Take our Commercient SYNC data integration app, for example. It’s an out-of-the-box cloud-based application that allows you to integrate data between your ERP and CRM systems, and we can install it for your company and have you up and running in as little as 24 hours. And what’s great about Commercient SYNC and all cloud-based apps for that matter is that you can simply open a browser, log in, customize the app, and start using it.

 

Benefit #2: They Are Secure

Not only are cloud-based apps both easy and fast to deploy, but with cloud-based apps, your data is stored securely in the cloud environment. According to Salesforce, “The key to this amped-up security is the encryption of data being transmitted over networks and stored in databases. By using encryption, information is less accessible by hackers or anyone not authorized to view your data.”

As an example, our SYNC data integration app is cloud-based and we are able to provide you with a safe and secure environment for integrating the data between your ERP and CRM systems. And by operating within the cloud, it makes it easier for you to grant your employees varying levels of controlled access to the data that you sync into your CRM system.

 

Benefit #3: They’re Scalable

Another benefit to leveraging cloud-based apps is you can increase or decrease the number of users, as your needs change over time. As your demand rises or falls, available capacity can be adjusted. With our SYNC app, we can scale up or down, depending on all your needs, including the number of users, so you never have to worry about running out of capacity, or having more than you need.

 

Ready To Move To The Cloud?

So are you ready to move to the cloud? We’ve got you covered. Our SYNC data integration, IoT Pulse, and Sync2Pay apps are all cloud-based, and will help you take your business to the next level. Reach out to us today and experience the many benefits of leveraging cloud-based applications.

Por qué necesitas una estrategia empresarial de Cloud Computing

Has escuchado hablar de cloud computing, ¿verdad? El CEO de Stratalux, Jeremy Przygode, dice que la tecnología cloud computing es la norma para las empresas hoy en día, y está transformando la forma en que las empresas hacen negocios. Un reporte de Right Scale sobre las tendencias de cloud computing para 2017 señala que el 95% de las empresas operan con alguno de los diferentes tipos de cloud: pública, privada e híbrida.

¿Esta realidad aplica para América Latina? Leonardo Covalschi, Director Ejecutivo & Head LATAM en TIVIT, dice que cloud computing en la región ya dejó de ser “una moda” y se ha transformado en el mainstream de consumo de infraestructura como servicio en Latinoamérica. Es más, este tipo de tecnología es una de las que presenta más rápido crecimiento en la región.

Aunque Chile, Colombia y Brasil son los países que primero comenzaron a adoptar este tipo de tecnología, según Covalschi en la actualidad el crecimiento es cada vez más rápido en toda la región. ¿Y qué hay de tu empresa? ¿Ya tienes una estrategia de cloud computing en marcha? Si aún no has comenzado, a continuación encontrarás algunas razones que te ayudarán a tomar la decisión:

 

Ahorrarás dinero

Si decides migrar a la nube, puedes ahorrar mucho dinero. Rackspace encuestó a 1,300 compañías y encontró que el 88% de usuarios de la nube experimentaron un ahorro significativo en sus costos, y el 65% notaron un incremento en sus ganancias. Con la nube, reduces costos de hardware porque los costos de reparación y reemplazo de piezas y equipos los asume el proveedor, no tú. Además, ahorras energía eléctrica. Los data centers grandes ocupan espacio y producen calor. Ya no debes preocuparte en mantener fría esa área si tu hardware no está allí. También ahorras en costos de mantenimiento y operaciones, lo que significa que tu equipo de IT puede enfocarse en desarrollo y en las necesidades diarias de tus empleados. Si tu compañía no tiene contratado personal de IT, migrar a la nube reducirá los pagos de reparación de hardware a terceros.

La nube también te permite sacar ventaja del modelo de pay-as-you-go, es decir, que solo pagas por software cuando lo utilizas, y el plan puede ser cancelado en cualquier momento. El modelo de suscripción te ayuda a evitar los costos asociados a un software defectuoso, o que descubriste que no iba a funcionar bien para tu empresa.

 

Puedes innovar y experimentar

Migrar a la nube también puede ayudarte a innovar, experimentar, y así crear nuevos productos y servicios. Un estudio de la Escuela de Economía y Ciencias Políticas de Londres encontró que “una de las principales formas en que cloud computing apoya la innovación tecnológica y operativa es mover a una organización más rápidamente en los estados experimentales o prototípicos. Con modelos IT tradicionales, la decisión de prototipar un nuevo sistema generalmente conlleva la inversión e instalación de hardware costoso, con las revisiones y retrasos asociados al proceso convencional de compra. En cambio, los recursos en la nube pueden implementarse rápidamente y a un bajo costo”.

En otras palabras, con la nube, puedes dedicar mucho más tiempo en desarrollar estrategias y productos para ayudarle a tu compañía a crecer y pasar menos tiempo brindando mantenimiento a tu infraestructura y hardware. Además, dado que el software en la nube puede ser desplegado en algunas horas, tu staff no necesita esperar instalaciones, y así incrementar la productividad.

 

Puedes tener más flexibilidad

Cloud computing también te permite mayor flexibilidad tanto dentro como fuera de la compañía. Por ejemplo, si necesitas acceder a ciertos datos mientras te encuentras fuera de la oficina, puedes acceder a esa información en cualquier momento, desde donde sea, a través de un dispositivo con acceso a internet. Con la nube, también puedes ofrecer horas de trabajo más flexibles a tus empleados y colaborar con ellos en tiempo real sin necesidad de que todos estén en el mismo lugar. Una estrategia empresarial de cloud computing en tu compañía ayuda a tus empleados a tener más libertad, lo que incrementa la productividad y la motivación en ellos.

 

Puedes incrementar la seguridad y protección de información sensible

Si migras a la nube, también puedes experimentar un incremento en la seguridad, privacidad y control de la información –todos los datos enviados a la nube son encriptados y alojados en un ambiente centralizado y con la protección necesaria. Dado que tus datos están almacenados en la nube, puedes acceder a ellos sin importar lo que suceda con tu hardware. La app SYNC de Commercient, por ejemplo, es una aplicación de la nube que provee un ambiente seguro para sincronizar información de sistemas ERP y CRM. El ambiente seguro de la nube hace más fácil proveer a tus empleados niveles variables de acceso controlado a los datos que sincronizas en tu sistema CRM. Por ello, desarrollar una estrategia en la nube te permite tomar mayor control de tu información.

 

Cloud computing, ¿sí o no?

Las empresas han apostado cada vez más por la migración a la nube. La escalabilidad, flexibilidad y mayor colaboración entre el staff hace que una estrategia de cloud computing sea una necesidad imperativa en cualquier compañía en crecimiento. Cloud computing ahorra costos, es efectiva y también fácil de mantener. Una solución en la nube simplifica el almacenamiento y le permite a tu compañía escalar hacia cualquier dirección según evolucione la empresa y cambien sus necesidades. John Angove, CEO de Commercient, “para ser ágil, mover los procesos a la nube es la mejor opción de las compañías que quieran ser competitivas”. La pregunta entonces no es si deberías o no migrar a la nube, sino cuándo.

A Commercient le complace presentar un producto nuevo y asombroso: IoT Pulse. Accede al mismo haciendo clic aquí.  

Does Your Business Need a Cloud Computing Strategy?

You’ve heard of cloud computing, right? Stratalux CEO Jeremy Przygode says it’s the norm for businesses today and it’s transforming the way we do business. A recent report shows that over 95% of businesses now operate on a public, private, or hybrid cloud platform. How about your company? Do you have a cloud computing strategy? Here are few reasons why you should consider developing one.

You can save more money

If you choose to migrate to the cloud, you can save a lot of money. Rackspace surveyed 1,300 companies and found that 88% of cloud users experienced significant cost savings and 56% of them noted an increase in profits. With the cloud, you reduce hardware costs because hardware repair and replacement costs are left to the vendor. It also saves on your power bills. Large data centers take up space and produce heat. You won’t have to worry about keeping that area cooled to optimal temperature if your hardware is offsite. You also save on labor and maintenance costs. That means your IT staff can focus on daily needs and development. If your company doesn’t have in-house IT, moving to the cloud will defray third-party hardware repair bills.

The cloud also allows you to take advantage of the pay-as-you-go model – you only pay for software as you utilize it, and it can be canceled at any time. The subscription model helps you avoid the costs that can come with defective software.

You can innovate and experiment

Migrating to the cloud will also help you innovate, experiment, and create new products and services. A study conducted at the London School of Economics and Political Science found that “One of the key ways that cloud computing supports operational and technological innovation is by moving an organization more briskly through the experimental or prototyping stages. With traditional IT models, a decision to prototype a new system generally involves the procurement and installation of expensive hardware, with the associated checks and delays that conventional purchasing requires. Cloud provisioning, on the other hand, can be implemented rapidly and at low cost.”

In other words, with the cloud, you can spend a lot more time on developing strategies and products to help your company grow and less time on maintaining infrastructure and hardware. In addition, because cloud software can be deployed within hours your staff can increase productivity because they won’t have to wait for installation.  

You can be more flexible

Cloud computing also allows you to be more flexible both inside and outside of the workplace. For example, if you need access to data while you are away from the office, you can easily access that data anytime and anywhere through any web-enabled device. With the cloud, you can also offer more flexible working hours to your employees and collaborate with them on the go and in real-time. An effective cloud strategy allows your employees to have more freedom, which yields happier and more productive workers.

You can increase security and protection of sensitive data

If you move to the cloud, you can also experience increased security, privacy, and control – all data sent to the cloud is encrypted and is hosted in a centralized and protected environment. Since your data is stored in the cloud, you can access it no matter what happens to your hardware. Commercient’s SYNC app, for instance, is a cloud-based application that provides a safe and secure environment for integrating data between ERP and CRM systems. The secure cloud environment makes it easier for you to grant your employees varying levels of controlled access to the data you sync into your CRM system. Hence, developing a cloud strategy allows you to take greater control of your data.

Cloud computing strategy or not?

Almost all apps and legacy software have already moved to the cloud. The scalability, flexibility, and increase in employee collaboration make a cloud strategy almost imperative for a growing business.  Cloud computing is also cost-effective, secure, and easy to maintain. A cloud solution simplifies hosting and allows your company to scale up or down as your business needs change. According to John Angove, CEO of Commercient, “In order to be nimble, moving your processes to the cloud is the best option for companies that want to stay competitive.”

The question isn’t whether you should adopt a cloud strategy, but when?

 

Commercient is pleased to introduce an amazing new product–IoT Pulse. Access to it is by invitation only, so contact us to get on the waiting list.

Back to the Future: Key Technology Trends that Will Change Small Business

Are you and your company ready for the future? As technology is constantly evolving, so is the way that small and mid-sized businesses operate. Thus, to be successful, SMBs need to be constantly aware, staying on top of the latest technology trends. Here are a few technology trends that every SMB should implement.

 

Cloud Computing

Nowadays, small businesses are becoming more and more comfortable with putting information and data into the cloud. According to a Microsoft Infographic, 9.6 million U.S. SMBs are currently using cloud-based services, and 98% of them say that it’s is a critical factor in their success. Co-founder of the research firm SMB Group, Laurie McGabe, says, “There are a host of technologies available in 2016 that are giving small and SMBs the applications and devices they need to level the playing field against larger companies.” She also states cloud computing is one such technology. Forbes concludes that the growth in the use of cloud-based services will be due to the benefits they provide. As McGabe puts it, “Reduced upfront investments in hardware and software, quick access to application updates and new capabilities that help them serve customers better and contribute to market growth.” 

 

Going mobile

Nowadays who doesn’t use an iPhone, Android, or other smartphones to gain access to the Internet? Acces to the internet through a desktop computer is slowly becoming obsolete. As more and more people are accessing the Internet through their smartphones while on the go, SMBs  need to ensure their websites and applications are mobile-friendly. According to a new survey by B2B research company Clutch, about 50% of small businesses should have a mobile application this year, and most their online traffic will be through mobile access. Viktor Marhonic, the CEO of the app builder Shoutem, says, “Three years ago, a small business might see 10 percent of its total traffic coming from mobile, but right now it’s closer to 70 percent. Within the next couple of years, a shift to a mobile app or a mobile-friendly site will become obvious.”

 

Remote Working

In the past, it was hard for small businesses to accommodate remote workforces, but with the introduction of innovative technologies like Zoom and Slack, SMBs have been able to make the most of an offsite workforce while significantly increasing the amount of work that is done. A Virgin Media Business survey predicts that by 2022, 60% of office-based workers will work regularly from home. According to Xero.com, “There’s a financial gain behind working remotely: the U.S. alone could stand to save more than $700 billion if those who had jobs suited to remote work could do so. As asynchronous communication through email and chat services becomes ubiquitous, remote workers can batch their tasks and use the long uninterrupted times to get more work done.” In addition, not having to maintain an office space can offer significant savings to small business owners. A Stanford University study stated that remote workers also report a higher job satisfaction, log more hours, and log less sick days than their in-office counterparts. They study also noted that remote working can save a company $2000 per year per employee.

As a leading provider of CRM and ERP integration apps, Commercient is on top of all these technology trends. Contact us today.