why are businesses moving to the cloud

There has been a lot of discussion in recent years about businesses moving to the cloud. But what does this actually mean? And why are so many companies making the switch? In this article, we’ll explore some of the benefits of moving your business to the cloud. We’ll also look at some of the factors that you should consider before making a decision. So if you’re wondering whether or not the cloud is right for your business, keep reading!

What is the cloud?

In the simplest terms, “the cloud” refers to computing services that are delivered over the internet. This includes everything from email and file storage to more complex applications like customer relationship management and data analytics. The benefits of cloud computing include increased flexibility and scalability, as well as reduced costs.

For businesses, this means that they can pay for only the resources they need, and scale up or down as their needs change. The cloud also enables businesses to be more agile, as they can quickly provision new applications and services without having to invest in new infrastructure. As more and more businesses move to the cloud, it is becoming increasingly important for business owners to be familiar with this technology.

What are the benefits of moving to the cloud?

As businesses increasingly move operations to the cloud, it’s important to understand the motivations behind this shift. There are a number of advantages to moving to the cloud, but the three most often cited by business owners are improved scalability, efficiency, and higher levels of security.

With cloud-based applications, businesses can scale up or down as needed, without incurring the significant upfront costs associated with traditional on-premises solutions. This is a huge advantage in a landscape that favours flexibility and the ability to quickly pivot into new areas quickly.

Cloud-based applications are also more efficient, since they can be accessed from anywhere and don’t require local installation or updates. Furthermore, most services can be accessed from equipment that is already owned meaning initial investments are less likely to be needed so long as the minimum requirements are met.

The cloud offers newer and more innovative security features, such as two-factor authentication and encryption, which can help protect businesses from data breaches. Increasingly, business owners are being required to prove compliance with data security laws and cloud services make doing this easy.

As businesses weigh their options for IT solutions, the cloud provides a compelling option with a number of advantages over more traditional services.

Is your business ready for the cloud?

Cloud computing is one of the most transformative technologies of our time. By moving data and applications to the cloud, businesses can enjoy increased agility, flexibility, and scalability. However, making the transition to the cloud is not a decision to be made lightly. Before moving your business to the cloud, it is important to conduct a thorough assessment of your current infrastructure and determine whether your business is ready for the cloud.

There are a few key factors to consider when assessing your readiness for the cloud. First, you need to have a clear understanding of your business needs and objectives. What are your goals for migrating to the cloud? What are your expectations for performance and reliability? Once you have a good understanding of your needs, you can begin to evaluate your current infrastructure. Are your applications compatible with cloud-based platforms? Do you have the necessary bandwidth and storage capacity to support a move to the cloud? Answering these questions will help you determine whether migrating to the cloud is the right decision for your business.

At Westlake IT, we are experts in both assessing your suitability for the cloud, carrying out migrations and ongoing IT support. If you are considering migrating to the cloud, get in touch with our team today for a free consultation.

Since the recent price rise, you may be wondering “How much is Microsoft 365 for small businesses?”. This guide will help you to understand Microsoft 365 pricing and help you to decide whether migrating to the system will work for your business.

Microsoft 365 for Business (previously known as Office 365 for Business) will give your small-medium-enterprise (SME) the full benefit of Cloud computing including in-built security, backup, automated upgrades and incredible flexibility and agility. 

Maximise productivity by providing your team with the tools to work anywhere, share information and collaborate with co-workers in real-time. Microsoft 365 products are subscription-based and charged on a per-month basis, with a range of package levels.

In this guide, we’re going to outline what Microsoft 365 package is best for small businesses and how much it costs so you get the most effective solution for your organisation.

Money

What package is best for my small business?

With 4 different packages available for businesses of all sizes, there is a plan for all organisations whether that be small startups or a juggernaut of the technology world. Services and features vary from package to package, but all businesses choosing to migrate their operations to Microsoft 365 will benefit from the following:

  • Web and mobile versions of Office applications
  • Email and calendaring
  • File storage and sharing
  • Teamwork and communication
  • Security and compliance
  • Support and deployment

If you want to see a detailed guide on what Microsoft 365 is, we’ve written a definitive blog that breaks down all the features and how we can help your business migrate across.

At Westlake IT, we highly recommend Microsoft 365 for those who operate an SME. These packages offer those who run startups and small businesses the opportunity to effectively communicate with staff, customers and other stakeholders, store a HUGE amount of data, increase productivity and creativity as well as a long list of other benefits.

How much does Microsoft 365 cost?

All packages vary in cost ranging from £4.50 – £15.10 per user/month.

To safely migrate your previous work across to Microsoft 365 you will need expert support – otherwise, you put a lot of data at risk during the transition. Westlake IT has years of experience in helping small businesses migrate to Microsoft 365, so you can be sure that your data is in safe hands.

Microsoft 365 Business Basic

Microsoft 365 Business Basic costs £4.50 per user/month and offers small businesses a lot of Microsoft’s high-quality features.

Microsoft 365 Apps for Business

Microsoft 365 Apps for Business costs £7.90 per user/month and the main difference to Business Basic is that the Office apps can be installed as desktop versions with premium features.

Microsoft 365 Business Standard

Microsoft 365 Business Standard costs £9.40 per user/month and is a popular choice amongst small business owners.

Microsoft 365 Business Premium

Microsoft 365 Business Premium costs £16.60 per user/month and is Microsoft’s complete package suitable for larger businesses.

How can Westlake IT help?

With so much on offer, any small business or startup should seriously consider migrating over to Microsoft 365. If transferring data or the incapability of setting it up is a stumbling block for your business, then Westlake IT can help. 

We provide both cloud migration services and licensing for Microsoft 365, as well as expert advice on what package is best for you. To find out how we can help your business migrate to Microsoft 365, head on over to our dedicated Microsoft 365 page.

As well as providing Microsoft 365 migration and licensing, we also offer expertly managed IT support services for both local and national small businesses. IT support is a huge part of any business and sometimes you need help from external sources and that’s exactly what we’ve been doing for the last 15 years. 

Get in touch with a member of our team to discuss how we can help your business make a smooth transition to Microsoft 365 today!