Cloud storage
for small businesses

As a small business owner, you never have enough time in the day to keep up with every technology that appears on the horizon. Chances are you already know that adding or upgrading your business data storage to a cloud service is something you should be considering.

But it can feel like an overwhelming task to research cloud storage options, decide which solution is best, and get the new service up and running, all while taking care of business as usual.

So where do you start?

If you're struggling with this issue, you're not alone.

Although many people don't even understand what the cloud actually is, if you've used web-based email, you've used the cloud. The cloud refers to the Internet. In simple terms, cloud storage involves uploading and storing computer data on the Internet through a third-party provider, according to PC Magazine's Encyclopedia.

Service providers can use the cloud to provide online data storage, and easy access to data from a wide variety of net-connected devices including computers, tablets, and smartphones.

And just as they did when they harnessed the Internet as a business tool, small business owners are beginning to use the cloud as a best practice to manage their business information more efficiently.

Used strategically, a cloud storage service can help small businesses achieve a number of important business goals, including:

• Control costs.
  Online data storage can help businesses control costs in many areas, including software licensing, hardware and upgrade expenses, server maintenance and power usage.
• Greater accessibility.
  Your staff would have the ability to create and access data wherever they are on the Internet.
• Flexible growth.
  Some providers, such as Verizon, operate cloud storage services on a pay-as-you-go model, allowing for maximum flexibility to scale up or down as your business needs fluctuate.
• Security.
  Cloud-based services may provide automatic online backup for critical business data, often in multiple centers across several locations for improved security.
• Reliable.
  Cloud-based services can be more reliable than products on your premises, particularly if your existing servers or other hardware are aging.
• Professional support.
  Cloud service providers have a dedicated IT staff to stay on top of current technology and security.
• Enhanced collaboration.
  Employees may be able to instant-message and hold meetings with clients and remote employees through video and Web conferencing capabilities.

In summary, small businesses need to seriously consider using cloud storage solutions. When doing your due diligence, small business owners should go with a recognized industry leader that has established a reputation for using state-of-the-art technology and secure software.

Verizon Cloud offers the security you need to protect your valuable data. You can back up your files and share them securely from your computer or smartphone. Password protection and data encryption, including SSL security, ensures your data stays private. And with automatic backups in the Verizon Cloud, your files are protected from viruses, system crashes and accidental data loss.