EVOLVING technology trends are transforming the business landscape into unimaginable borders. The day that innovation partnered technology saw the birth of handheld gadgets such as smartphones, tablets, iPads, iPhones and many more.
Source from (Business Times): http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/HAFNINE/Article/
Published: December 10, 2012
These "don't leave home without it" gadgets have indeed made our lives easier and enabled us to connect with the rest of the world at not only faster speed but, most importantly, cost effectively and very efficiently. For example, I myself am so dependent on these gadgets when I travel such that it is like I have my mobile office with me as I can keep abreast of what is happening in the office from whichever part of the world I happen to be in.
In fact, I find cloud computing to be very practical when I travel overseas attending meetings, as it saves me the hassle of carrying big files or even thumb drives to store all my documents.
Through iCloud application installed on my iPad, for instance, all my documents, calendars, contacts, pictures and even my favourite Kenny G tunes are automatically stored in the clouds! I can just easily retrieve them anywhere and everywhere around the world.
And all these files can be shared and accessed anywhere in the world, as long as there is an Internet connection. That probably explains why cloud computing has become more and more popular, especially among business community as it certainly makes our lives simpler and hassle free.
In SME Corp, we have slowly shifted to the clouds by taking precautionary measures to ensure that important data and information are protected from unexpected disasters through the Disaster Recovery Site.
I believe many organisations out there have also migrated to this technology. Definitely, I am looking forward to see more small businesses take that bold step to go into the clouds because the benefits that it offers to the SMEs are immense.
It goes without saying that when a business grows, more storage and additional software are required. More often than not, funds are required to purchase new software, upgrade servers as well as train employees to familiarise them with the new processes.
From my experience with cloud computing, however, a company is just required to subscribe to the cloud computing service and subsequently additional services and space as and when the need arises.
Most providers offer intuitive online interfaces hence making it a breeze to train the staff. Indeed, SMEs only pays for what they utilise and, in fact, even have the flexibility to select the kind of service level that is required.
Without having to fork out a hefty amount of cash, SMEs can still have professional-looking websites because cloud computing permits SMEs to use high-quality inexpensive software and to top it off, the service providers takes care of the IT support, licences as well as ensuring that the newest version of software are installed in their systems.
Gone is the hassle of software installations and updates, which means SMEs no longer have to maintain software and servers on their premises as well as employing highly technical personnel for information technology infrastructure maintenance.
In encouraging more business entities in Malaysia to go into the clouds, the government has in fact put in place various initiatives. To name a few, the SME Cloud Computing Adoption Programme by Multimedia Development Corporation Sdn Bhd is a programme created to accelerate the adoption and extend the full benefits of Cloud Computing to elevate the competitiveness of SMEs.
Through this, the financial incentive provided for the programme is based on reimbursement basis whereby SMEs can claim up to six months of subscription fee or up to RM1,500 of the total subscription fee; from any qualified Software-as-a-Service solutions provided by MSC Malaysia status companies.
In addition, in 2011, SME Corp partnered Microsoft Malaysia to empower Malaysian SMEs with the tools they need to stay connected within a business landscape, where agile and scalable technology infrastructure is the key in maintaining the competitive edge and to succeed globally.
Working with our strategic partners, we are training and developing SMEs via the Office 365 productivity suite with cloud computing technology as well as assisting local SMEs getting into the cloud at lower costs.
On a different dimension, I couldn't help but think that it would be much a greener world if SMEs embark on cloud computing because information technology equipment is utilised to the maximum and electricity consumption will definitely be much reduced due to the fact that each SME need not maintain its servers at sites.
Voila! All these will bring down costs of doing business, and the competitiveness of SMEs will indeed be enhanced!
Indeed, that's business on Cloud Nine, isn't it?
Datuk Hafsah Hashim is chief executive officer of Small and Medium Enterprises Corp Malaysia (SME Corp Malaysia)
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