In an article published by Mashable, Samantha Murphy Kelly breaks down the numerous ways in which cloud-based solutions actually can improve small business environments. The article explains: "In addition to reducing startup expenses and preserving capital [by allowing small business owners to forgo the need to invest in physical space for data storage, as well as IT professionals to manage this space], working in the cloud makes it easier for telecommuting. According to analyst firm IDC, the world's mobile worker population will reach 1.3 billion by 2015. With more people working away from the office, there will be a greater need for efficient and affordable tools to be just as productive as when you're sitting in the office."

Peter Wiegandt asserts that the ease of accessibility on behalf of telecommuting professionals is one of the many reasons why cloud-based technology is such an incredible resource for small businesses.

"Today's small business owners are looking to cut costs in any way that they can," Wiegandt asserts. "This means, in many instances, forgoing a conventional workspace in favor of a telecommuting environment. You see, the overhead associated with office space is tremendous--and, for Internet-based companies, completely unnecessary. More and more small businesses are having employees work from home in order to minimize the overhead that they encounter. While this is a great strategy, it's important that these entrepreneurs invest in IT technology, such as the cloud-based solutions that I'm working on releasing, in order to keep employees as efficient and productive as possible."

One of the ways in which the cloud can facilitate efficiency is through rapid file sharing. For cloud users, an employee in Sacramento can place a file in a folder and their colleague in Paris can open it seconds later. Taking this idea of easy access further, many cloud-based solutions are available on desktops, laptops, smartphones, tablets, and other digital and portable devices. As such, employees can access the files they need from virtually anywhere with an Internet connection.

One concern that small business owners may have with regard to setting up a telecommuting environment is a lack of collaboration. An important aspect of the traditional work atmosphere, collaboration is essential in many industries. But with cloud-based technology professionals can work on the same files, thereby allowing them to partner with one another no matter their geographic location.

Peter Wiegandt encourages small business owners to explore the cloud-based solutions that may improve their organizations.

ABOUT:

Peter Wiegandt is currently president and CEO of Tec 360 and CresCloud. He is also president of Dell Latin America and chairman of Regata Copa Mexico.