Fads and new inventions influence our way of life with fashion, music, lifestyle choices and even the way we do business. Some fads, like mullets and the macarena, thankfully have been short-lived. But, what happens when a fad goes mainstream – and you missed it?
Eastman Kodak thought digital photography was a fad in 1975 when employee Steven Sasson developed the first, self-contained digital camera. Kodak, however, didn’t believe anyone would ever want to look at pictures on a screen (is there another way?) and passed on fully developing the project.
Digital photography was not a fad though. After missing its opportunity in 1975 and struggling for almost four decades to compete in the digital world, Eastman Kodak filed for bankruptcy just five years after its patent on the digital camera expired. All because they failed to change.
When it comes to change, most of us are at least a little reluctant – especially when it comes to technology. Changing equipment, practices and apps isn’t something we relish, and it can be risky. Switching disrupts our routine and may even slow production as employees learn new processes and software.
Although smaller businesses may be slower to make technology changes, they also have more flexibility to adapt and, therefore, take advantage of innovations.
Cloud computing falls into this category.
Cloud computing has been around for over a decade now, and Gartner survey data says over 59 percent of small businesses have already adopted it with another 22 percent reporting they plan to migrate within the next two years. Obviously, cloud computing is not a passing fad.
In fact, cloud computing is now a business standard, just like digital photography is standard. That begs the question – why aren’t you on the cloud?
Migrating to the cloud doesn’t have to be all or none. A hybrid cloud solution can produce the best blend of efficiency, security and cost savings.
Office 365 – Great First Step into the Cloud
One of the most popular cloud solutions available is Microsoft’s Office 365. The beauty of Office 365 is practically everyone already knows how to use the mainstay apps like Excel, Word and PowerPoint so the transition is almost invisible to end users.
Here the top 3 advantages Office 365 offers to small businesses
- Reduces capital expenditure – The monthly or annual subscription fees for Office 365 are operating expenses. You no longer will have high upfront capital expenditures for new software and servers.
- Enhances security – Office 365 features built-in security protocols to protect your data. From physical security to admin access and user controls, you minimize your data exposure risk.
- Increases productivity – With the world’s leading collaboration and mobility apps like Teams, Skype for Business and SharePoint, Office 365 gives your team the ability to access information anytime from anywhere and stay on task during company projects. Your team can enter data, share and work on documents all at the same time – even if they’re all in different locations. With Teams, employees have one place to find the needed files, conversations and other information for projects as they are all stored together, instead of these things all being lost in your email.