There are many great stories of Information Technology Business on the cloud who have made millions of dollars with a great idea, these are companies who have built solutions on the cloud and benefited by a low cost launch of their business and almost no entry barrier to succeed in their vision for changing the world with cloud computing.
This article is for another type of Business, those who can use computing as a business enabler and benefit with automation from conceptualization to execution to sustenance of their start-up business whatever it may be.
Let us consider start-up business in the non technology traditional economy, simple businesses like engineering fabrication, distribution, cash collection, retailing, food and beverages, and any other start-up whose leadership has an idea and the entrepreneurial zeal.
What cloud computing solutions can Business use for their business efficiency? today many Business start their computing journey on the internet with a static website and some great graphics and jazz.
Cloud Computing is like a TAXI, you get in when you want and get out when you are done and only pay for use of the taxi and not for the cost of the taxi or even the salary of the driver !
Here is how they could do it in a better way with almost zero cost, a Facebook page, a Twitter handle, a LinkedIn company page, an office productivity suite from Google or Zoho or similar, and the start-up is ready for its journey in the cloud.
If the start-up is creative they can also create a blog about what is happening in their company. Most of these services are free for a small user base with enough functionality and computing power for the business needs.
Subscribe to a project management tool, an accounting/costing package or even specialized packages for the business like CAD/CAM software and the start up is as well equipped with computing solutions which normally is only available to Fortune 500 companies. The business could even use a CRM if they wish, though it may not need email campaigns, and they can actually put together a simple CRM with Google or Zoho again for almost nothing and on their own and use the plain out telephone for customer campaigns.
Imagine a specialized take-away dishing out food based on dietary and religious restrictions, The business can use a free CRM in the cloud which can track customers and their days of fasting and festive days and dietary preferences and even foods that they are allergic to.
The Facebook page posting with its LIKE button can spread the good word around about their wonderful add on services and the quality of their food.
Imagine putting together a simple supply chain management solution to optimize purchasing from a free solution in the cloud. Throw in a tracking solution of the food delivery by use of mobile phones and you have an optimized routing. Hey can the paper man improve his paper delivery in your area, can the milkman too do that.. maybe.... There is always an opportunity for new people with better delivery and quality to move into traditional businesses. One step further use a mobile phone credit card payment or mobile money solutions and you are all set to optimize your cash collection without the headache of handling paper money.
So if you are in a business get started on using application in the cloud to improve your business productivity and efficiency and eager to enjoy the profits start using the solutions offered in the cloud. The future of computing is the cloud and every Business can be a winner by use of cloud computing solutions.
