Cloud for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
A couple of reports from big players in the Cloud sector, focused on Cloud computing adoption by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Europe, to introduce this discussion.
"Drivers & Inhibitors to Cloud Adoption for Small and Midsize Businesses" by Microsoft - http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/news/presskits/telecom/docs/SMBCloud.pdf
"Manage Your Changing IT Needs: A European Report on Servers & Storage for Small Business
February" by Dell and Intel
http://www.dellsbsolutions.com/businessline/servers-storage/Manage-Your-...
In view of the forthcoming EU Cloud Computing Strategy we wish to invite you to discuss with us the attitudes towards adoption of cloud computing in SMEs, the decision drivers, the fears and barriers, etc.
To help you with this topic, here are some questions you may be willing to answer around some key issues:
1- LIABILITY of cloud service providers, notably in cross-border situations:
- Should legal certainty be improved, why (problem cases you know)?
- How (good measures you know or recommend)?
2- CONSUMER RISKS, perceived and real, in using cloud services:
- What are the most relevant risks (according to the evidence you know)?
- How are or those risks best addressed?
3 - SME OBSTACLES for using cloud computing:
- What are the most relevant obstacles (according to the evidence you know)?
- How are or those obstacles best addressed?
Looking forwards to your comments!
Group audience:
Comments
Not sure on the first
Not sure on the first question, but on the 2nd and 3rd I have knowledge.
2- CONSUMER RISKS, perceived and real, in using cloud services:
- What are the most relevant risks (according to the evidence you know)?
Consumer risks - many don't know what the cloud is, and are naturally suspicious of anyone having access to their data. The risks and remedies are actually similar as for SMEs?
- How are or those risks best addressed?
This suspicion will only go when they know more about it, and have seen peers using it.
3 - SME OBSTACLES for using cloud computing:
- What are the most relevant obstacles (according to the evidence you know)?
Same as above. SMEs are consumers too.
a) The most relevant risks to SMEs I know is loss of data if the cloud pops or in other words the host loses the data.
b) Also a big risk is the host raising the prices once they have a year's worth of your data, if it is big data it would take far too long for most SMEs to upload it all somewhere else again.
c) Another risk is assuming one backup for data is enough, there should always be two off site.
d) The biggest risk for rural SMEs is going into the cloud and then losing connectivity for long periods. This is why many won't risk it until they believe their connection can cope.
- How are or those obstacles best addressed?
a) Always keep two backups. Off site.
b) Work to get the best connectivity for your business, test it out thoroughly before you put your eggs in the cloud basket.
c) Join the high speed broadband forum on this site as well as this one for the cloud and make your voice heard, because until everyone has access to a fit for purpose connection the cloud is out of bounds for many SMEs. ;)