The cloud has become increasingly popular in recent years, and the pandemic has made it possible for more and more businesses to appreciate the cloud’s many advantages. Small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) that use the cloud, in particular, enjoy several significant benefits, including improved scalability, flexibility, and cost efficiency.
But there remain several reasons why a lot of SMBs are still hesitant to move their data to the cloud. Here are five of the most common ones.
1. Cost
Cost is arguably the main reason SMBs think twice about migrating to the cloud. But while it’s true that there are upfront costs associated with moving data and applications to the cloud, it’s important to weigh those costs against the long-term savings that can be achieved with cloud technology. For example, on-premises data storage solutions can be very expensive, particularly for businesses that are growing rapidly or expecting sudden surges in demand. Cloud storage, on the other hand, is typically much more cost-effective, as businesses won’t have to buy hardware and will only pay for the storage they actually use.
A good way SMBs can control cloud spending costs is by partnering with a trusted cloud services provider like XBASE Technologies. We offer customizable cloud plans for every budget, so you’ll only have to pay a fixed monthly fee for the services you need.
2. Security
Some SMB owners may be concerned about data security in the cloud, but it’s important to note that when data is properly protected, the cloud can be more secure than on-premises environments. This is because cloud service providers invest heavily in security technologies and expertise, and they can offer a much higher level of protection than most businesses could achieve on their own. Our cloud solutions at XBASE only use top-of-the-line hardware and software from leading tech companies to deliver a secure, multilocational virtualized server environment.
3. Compliance
Businesses that are subject to compliance regulations, such as the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act, may have concerns about whether moving to the cloud will allow them to gain or maintain compliance. The good news is that cloud service providers offer compliance-ready solutions that can help businesses meet their regulatory requirements.
At XBASE, for instance, we adhere to the strictest requirements of recognized regulatory bodies, including physical, administrative, and technical safeguards, so we guarantee secure environments for storing and managing sensitive data.
4. Performance
Another common concern is that moving to the cloud will result in slower performance for applications and data. But as we have seen recently in remote and hybrid work setups that rely heavily on the cloud, this is not the case. In fact, the cloud can be a huge productivity booster for businesses. With a cloud-based infrastructure that gives them the ability to access files and applications from anywhere, employees can be more flexible, efficient, and productive.
5. Vendor lock-in
Businesses may be worried about becoming tied to a particular vendor’s platform or solution, which could hinder them from exploring and utilizing better solutions. While this is a valid concern, remember that you can always talk to your provider about the solutions which you believe will benefit your business. At XBASE, we sit down and listen to our customers to make sure that they consistently get the best solutions even if their needs change.
The bottom line is that committing to a cloud service vendor shouldn’t be a hassle. If your provider can no longer support your business needs, such as if they cannot offer modern solutions or support the scale of your growth, you should be able to switch to another provider. Note that there may be a cancellation fee or a payment for moving your data from one provider to another.
SMBs may have reasonable concerns about moving to the cloud, but it's important to remember that the benefits of cloud migration often outweigh the risks. When businesses take the time to understand the options and make an informed decision, they can find cloud solutions that will meet their needs and help them achieve their goals. If you have questions about moving your business data to the cloud, ask our experts at XBASE. Book a FREE consultation today.