The ubiquity of cloud resources has leveled the playing field for small business. In the past, trying to compete with the big dogs may have required investment in hardware and solutions not necessarily bottom-line feasible. Today’s cloud tools are less expensive, offer flexibility, and provide scalability should your organization grow. Here are some of the most popular options:

  • Google Docs — Google is already well known as the best of the browsers, but the number of solutions available through the company continues to grow. The company’s Gmail program has become the standard for many companies. Perhaps just as valuable is Google Docs, an alternative to costly office suites. The days of needing Word, Excel, and Powerpoint are fading. You can now write documents, create spreadsheets, and build slide presentations in your cloud-based Google Drive account. Even better, you can then share these documents through the cloud with anyone who has a Google account. Because it’s based in the cloud, you don’t have to worry about losing your documents if your hard drive crashes. Google Docs is simple and inexpensive.
  • Microsoft 365 — If your business is already well established with Microsoft products, you can move to this solution, which offers a similar set of capabilities as Google Docs. Microsoft 365 also incorporates tried-and-true programs like Outlook and Project. Microsoft 365 may not be the best option if you’re starting small (or from scratch), but it does have its benefits.
  • Dropbox or Box —  The cloud has enabled small businesses to better store and share documents with staff or clients, regardless of location. Solutions like Dropbox and Box enable you to place a document in a shared cloud folder, thus taking zero space on your hard drive. Dropbox and Box also remove the obstacle of email file size limits. Some email solutions don’t let you send files if they’re too large. With these tools, you simply upload and share. Dropbox and Box folders are accessible from your desktop and your mobile device.
  • Evernote — Business people are always jotting down notes on random scraps of paper. And then they lose those notes. Evernote eliminates the scraps and helps you stay organized. You type your notes in Evernote, and then label and tag them as needed. Evernote also lets you save photos or record memos. Evernote is accessible from your home computer and mobile device.

What cloud solutions are you currently using for your small business? Contact us today to learn more.