The use of technology in business is always changing, allowing innovative companies to take advantage of new developments and steal a march on the competition. One technology that’s getting a lot of interest from forward-thinking companies is cloud computing. By moving to the cloud many businesses are finding that they can reduce their IT expenditure, whilst improving services. However investing in technology isn’t just about saving money, it can also help firms generate new streams of revenue - for example, by taking advantage of e-Commerce.
Wanting to find out more about how businesses are embracing technology, we recently asked 5000 businesses for their thoughts on some of the key trends in business IT at the moment. Unsurprisingly we found that over two-thirds of companies now depend on internet technologies for their business success – particularly in the areas of cloud computing and e-Commerce. 32 per cent of business leaders said that investment in cloud computing had significantly benefitted their company, with e-Commerce just behind at 27 per cent.
Investing in cloud computing is a fantastic way for organisations to innovate – granting economies of scale and a more responsive way of working. Aside from the cost savings, a move to the cloud can also make it easier for firms to enable remote working, by providing secure, remote access to files and applications.
With online sales making up almost 10 per cent of all retail revenue in the UK, e-Commerce is a massive growth opportunity for British businesses. By removing geographical barriers, e-Commerce can allow companies of any size to sell to customers all over the world, generating significant new revenue streams. And with the growth of mobile shopping (or m-Commerce) on the horizon there is a whole raft of opportunities for innovative British businesses to take advantage of.
Of course, it’s vital for any business looking at investing in these technologies to take a look at their existing infrastructure before jumping in two footed. The user experience of cloud computing is dependent on the quality of the connection to the network, so it’s absolutely essential to make sure that your internet connection isn’t going to fall-over when additional demands are placed upon it.
Have you recently moved into the cloud or used technology to grow your business? We’re always interested to hear more in the comments box below!
