What would happen if all the business data stored on your computer simply vanished overnight? You’d probably prefer to believe that something that drastic is unlikely to occur, but what if your primary computer crashes? The problems caused by a crash can take you by surprise. You might get a little stressed. You’ll probably have to spend a bundle to buy a new computer or get yours repaired. But if you’ve made the transition to cloud computing, you’ll have immediate access to everything you need to get your job done, and that could keep a computer crash from ruining your day. What is cloud computing The name cloud computing makes the concept seem whimsical yet complicated, but it’s actually a very simple process. Cloud computing is internet-based computing. You use the computer you already have to perform your usual tasks in a slightly different way. Instead of completing tasks offline on your computer desktop, you do them online in a browser window. When you create a graph, report or other business document, you can save it to your cloud storage space instead of your computer’s crowded hard drive. The business programs, documents, data, and information you need are not confined to a single computer or server. They’re online. You or anyone you designate can access them from anywhere and on many digital devices that have internet access. That means you don’t have to be in your office to edit a document, read a report or get caught up on matters that are important to you and your business. What can cloud computing do for you? Cloud computing gives you portability. It lets you do what you want, when and where you want to do it. Here are just a few of the tasks you can perform:

• Create and store documents,
• Install and run programs – Cloud programs and apps are internet based. You don’t have to install, update or reinstall them to every new computer you buy.
• Maintain personnel records
• Install and run cloud-based ERP or CRM systems, or other business management software.
• Upload and securely store business financial data.
• Store archived data and documents to get them off your hard drive.
• Use cloud storage as the backup to your computer hard drive, or as the backup to your backup.

Speaking of backups A cautious business owner knows the risk of storing data on any computer. They know to back up everything, but backup systems have problems too. It takes only a few moments in the External Hard Drive Help section of an online PC Forum to realize that backup storage units come with their own set of cautions. They’re easy and convenient, but sometimes they simply stop working. When you choose cloud computing, your online storage will be there when you need it. Crashes happen Computer crashes are one of the complications of running a business that relies on modern technology. When it happens to your business, it can damage or destroy all the irreplaceable data stored on your hard drive. Of course a crash doesn’t always mean that your important data will be lost forever. Data Retrieval Specialists will recover what they can… for a price. That’s another good reason to consider cloud computing. Contact us if you’re interested in learning more about cloud computing.