With staff shortages, pandemic containment and routing difficulties, both small and large businesses need to move to more advanced IT models to remain competitive.

One way of doing this is to migrate to cloud systems. These allow you to leave behind software and servers that require you to be in the office with a local hard drive or VPN to use them, in favour of online applications accessible at your fingertips.

As a cloud service, you can access applications that are as general as they are specialised, small or large, simple or complex.

Read on to see the main advantages of cloud computing systems!

Data Security in the Cloud

Cloud solutions often invest heavily in the security of their infrastructures, which can enable small businesses to benefit from superior security at a lower cost. Providers offer users specialist security staff, sophisticated security tools and security controls to protect data.

In the event of a disaster, cloud services can offer data recovery mechanisms. The advantage: costs and downtime are reduced, and data loss is minimised.

In other words, it is no longer necessary for the user to make backup copies of data; the service provider takes care of this automatically and at much more regular intervals than we would do ourselves.

An IT infrastructure can provide a business with enhanced security to manage the risks associated with data distribution and regulatory compliance.

Accessibility and Flexibility of Cloud Infrastructures

Web-based applications mean access from anywhere. From a computer, tablet or smartphone, you can connect to all our applications from a café or while sitting in a park, provided, of course, that you have Internet access.

In addition, cloud-based software such as QuickBooks (QBO) enables document management, such as supplier invoices, to be carried out directly on the platform. This saves on paper storage costs and reduces the need for employees to be in the office to consult them.

The company can then offer a hybrid mode of working without any additional technological complications. If your company allows hybrid working or works mainly from home, this option becomes an additional advantage in retaining and attracting new candidates.

Functionality and Integration of This Type of Service

Cloud-based software often offers functions that are not possible or less instantaneous in local mode. Examples include the ability to read bank statements directly from QBO, adjust settings online and, as mentioned above, access documents from anywhere without a VPN.

Cloud software often offers the possibility of integrating with other systems to provide additional functionality. We know, for example, that QBO has a receipt module that can be optimised using a number of external applications that can connect to QBO and do the job much better (such as Dext), making integration straightforward and hassle-free.

As another example, QBO does not currently have the facility to make supplier payments, but an application such as Plooto makes it possible to do so by connecting to QBO and listing the invoices to be paid.

It is also possible, where appropriate, to connect e-commerce sites so that sales can be synchronised between the two platforms without having to copy transactions. If that doesn't save time, we don't know what does!

Investment and Updating Costs

It's important to understand that when you move from local software to cloud software, you're also often moving from a purchase mode to a rental mode. You might be tempted to think that the higher monthly cost of a platform like QBO will be a greater burden on your business, but that's not the case when you consider the peace of mind and the functionalities that will open the door to a whole new way of managing your data.

The licence price normally includes automatic updates, automatic backups, support for the platform and, if necessary, the ability to stop using it quickly. The design is generally conceived with ease of implementation and use in mind.

You may have to pay set-up costs, or prefer to call in professionals to ensure a hassle-free implementation, but these are generally much lower than for a traditional application.

In a Nutshell

Traditional local systems are becoming obsolete, and online data storage and access to web-based apps are improving a company's competitive edge.

A well-chosen cloud application generally offers better security and is available from anywhere, at a lower cost, while offering more possibilities. Still not convinced? Here are 11 reasons to make the switch to cloud accounting.

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