“The Cloud” - it still needs explanation
Jinfo Blog

By Jan Knight

Item

Who hasn’t heard of the “Cloud”? Many of us get bombarded with daily messages from companies offering various cloud computing solutions but it appears that many small businesses are not taking advantage of the technologies that are tailor-made for them.  

Why? Because they don’t really “get what it is”. One of my own guesses for the disconnect is that often small business owners aren’t real “techies” and can’t afford a techie employee. However, the language that some companies use to sell the technology is in tech speak. This is such a shame as small businesses are often the ones who could benefit the most from such applications purely because they DON’T have those tech skills.

ITWorld’s article “No wonder small businesses are confused about cloud computing” cites the need for practical advice for these companies, both on the advantages and concerns of the technologies. The need for education is supported by Verio’s study of SMB decision-makers. Two thirds were unsure if they’d commit to the Cloud. However, 20% said that IF they were provided with the proper knowledge and education they would be likely to implement a cloud solution in the next year, half of them within six months.

Another Small Business Authority survey found that 71% of small business owners say they have never heard of cloud computing.

One area that SMEs do seem to understand and are more comfortable jumping on the “Cloudwagon” for, however, is remote backup. A recent report from Forrester Research found that 5% of survey respondents indicated they use cloud-based backup today and 38% plan to employ cloud backup within two years.  68% of respondents said they plan to move toward cloud-based backup to reduce costs.

Every week I see email newsletters offering free webinars like “Demystifying the Cloud” or “Cloud Communications, the right move for your business?” I even see articles focusing on the “greenness” of cloud computing. So, again, why the disconnect? I see a great opportunity – an emerging industry here. Training companies and consultants can become the interpreters between tech companies and small businesses.

PC World’s Jason Cross writes about what he calls the “absurd fascination with naming online services after suspended atmospheric condensation.” And, as he so rightly points out, people have been using the cloud for years. As he notes, “remember when the “Cloud” was just called the internet?”  Maybe that thought will help small business owners grasp the concept.

« Blog