Your Business & The Cloud

Cloud computing uses software applications stored online, and not on a PC hard drive. Its popularity has grown over the past couple of years, thanks to increased broadband penetration and the recession. But what are the benefits of ‘the cloud’ to businesses?



Getting your head in the cloud

Jon Wilcox takes a look at how business applications provided by BT Business are helping smaller businesses to benefit from cloud computing.

At the BT Business Experience, held at The Farmiloe Building in London, BT Business outlined its strategy for collaboration in the cloud, and highlighted partnerships with major SaaS vendors including SalesForce.com, NetSuite, and new partner, Xero, under the banner of BT Business Applications.

Cloud computing, software-as-a-service (SaaS), on-demand software; whatever you call it (even the experts are undecided) the trend towards web-based applications rather than ‘traditional’ on-premise software continues to gather pace. SaaS applications have lower start-up costs and can be implemented quickly without the upfront licence fees, maintenance or upgrade costs associated with on-premise software. Cloud computing applications (and their updates) are developed and launched online and are accessed by a simple web browser, making annual updates and monthly bug fixes a thing of the past. Businesses only pay for the resources they use.

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