If you’ve been on the internet at all over the last few years, I’m sure you’ve heard the term “on the cloud” a time or twelve. And, if you’re like me, you didn’t really know what the buzz was all about. Turns out, it is something pretty handy for business and for life in general.

So, what is the “cloud”?

It is a platform to make data and software accessible online from anywhere, at any time, from any device. It is where you put all your data, files, and software – available any time. It is not dependent on your hard drive. Just think – what if your computer crashed today? Would you lose all of your financial transactions, all your hard work budgeting, and all your invoice record?
Or what if someone stole your computer? What business financial information would they have access to? If you are doing your bookkeeping on your computer, stored on your hard drive, they would have access to a whole lot!
There are some other problems with traditional accounting software (the kind that is stored on your computer):
• It’s hard to keep it up to date. You have to install updates frequently.
• It can be really expensive to upgrade to new software. The upgrade often costs as much as (or more than) the original program!
• You need to have back-ups going, in case your computer crashes. This takes time, costs money, and might be complicated if there are multiple people using the program.
• Only one person has user access. They might share their access, but there will be no record of who entered what information. This leaves little accountability, and makes it hard to fix mistakes.
• Customer support is often slow – taking days to respond. It may even be expensive if you have to send your computer in, or get a tech to look at it.
• It only works on one computer – and data might be transferred to or from it in insecure or unreliable ways (such as a flash drive).

Introducing: The Cloud!

And guess what? You’re already in it!!
Does your bank offer online banking? That’s on the cloud!
Do you have e-mail? You’re on the cloud! (It’s still so exciting to get a real letter in the mail though, isn’t it?
Have you even shared a picture or document online through something like Google Docs or Dropbox? You were using the cloud!
Have you bought something from Etsy or Amazon at 1am? You were shopping on the cloud!
And your business bookkeeping can be done on the cloud too, with all the advantages listed above. You can sync with your bank, send invoices through e-mail to Xero, share documents and invoices, and you can do it in the middle of night if you want!
Your cloud-based software can be used from any device with an internet connection. You can stay current with how your business is doing, access your data from anywhere at any time, connect and communicate with your accountant and bookkeeper quickly and easily, and contact customer support through the cloud. There are all kinds of add-ons to personalize the software to your needs, whether you are an Etsy store owner, chiropractor, dog trainer, or home-birth midwife.

But……
Is the cloud SAFE?  Find out here!

What do you think? Do you understand a little bit more about the cloud now? How could being on the cloud help your business?