WHY USE ONLINE SOFTWARE?

What is 'the cloud'?

'The cloud' = an internet-based software service or product

...and, it opens up a whole new way of doing business.

THE TOP 5 BENEFITS OF CLOUD COMPUTING:

1. No hardware to purchase or maintain

You can cut the cost of purchasing and maintaining servers, housing them securely, continuously installing updates and maintaining software. You don't need to pay for expensive off-site backups of your records either.

This requires the time and effort of experienced IT personnel and distracts you from regular work.

2. No software to install

Forget about ever having to wait for software installation disks to arrive,keeping them in storage and having to reinstall them at a later date or when you purchase a new machine.

Online software runs over the Internet and is delivered through a web browser, such as Google Chrome, Firefox, Safari or Internet Explorer. So...you never need to be concerned about software installation on your computers or network.

3. Automatic software updates

With traditional software, you typically have to wait for a new release to benefit from the latest innovations. Often its better to wait until the second or third 'update' is released to ensure it is stable enough to use. Given the cost and complexity associated with upgrading, it may not even be practical to upgrade each time a new release becomes available.

Because online software does not reside on your computer or network, you never need to wait for an update to download or install. You are always running the most recent version! And...so is everyone else.

4. Secure data & automatic back-ups

Hard disks can, and do, crash. This can mean your data to be lost – forever - unless you have a strict and up-to-date data backup routine. If you don't – it's ugly.

Using software and systems that are in 'the cloud' gives you extra layers of protection for your data, such a providing firewalls and filters to stop malicious attacks. This means it is more likely your data is more secure in cloud servers than on your own. Because clouds are operating their own security and backlups your data is safe – always.

5. Access your information from anywhere

It doesn't matter where you are - as long as you have a computer, or smartphone, with internet accessyou can access your information.

Login on your iPhone, iPad, or other mobile device from anywhere, any time. Its all in the cloud.