Chances are by now you’ve heard of the cloud. The term is used a lot in technology at the moment, and people are talking about moving to the cloud as if it’s a tangible place. It can get confusing! POSmate is going to explain what the cloud is and how we will make it beneficial to your business.
Understanding the cloud
To understand the cloud, we must first understand the internet. The internet is simply a global network of computers that can communicate to each other.
These computers can do a range of different functions, like store or process information. For example, this post is stored on a computer that’s acting as a server. The computer that you’re using to access this website is simply taking the information that’s stored on the server, and showing it on yours through a browser. They’re communicating with each other, and that’s a simplified explanation of how the internet works.
Cloud computing, or “the cloud,” is when a network of servers work together to deliver software to you through your browser. Instead of just displaying the information like they are in this post, the computers are communicating with each other over the internet to run a program and display the result in your browser window.
This program can be something relatively simple, like a cloud storage system which stores your information on the internet, or it can be powerful and complex, like Kounta Point of Sale, VEND, MYOB & Xero Accounting Software, Deputy Employee Management and Collect Rewards
The cloud is not a place or a thing in the stratosphere; it’s simply several connected computers, or servers, working together to deliver an application to your browser. This allows developers to create powerful applications that are as easy to open on your computer as a website.
Key differences between cloud and local computing systems
The advantages and disadvantages of running cloud software are hotly debated. Look at some of the key differences between local and cloud computing, and you may begin to see why POSmate decided to become certified cloud-based application specialists.
Running your software on your local computer in front of you means a few things for you:
- If your computer is slow, your software will be slow too.
- If your software consumes too much processing power, you may need to upgrade your computer.
- Updates for your software happen rarely, and when they do happen, you’ll need to download and install them.
- If your computer fails, your information and software may be lost.
- Your software installation will be limited to one location – where your computer is.
- If you’re running your software on a local computer, only one person can use it at a time.
Cloud computing, on the other hand, will offer you these benefits:
- You won’t need a powerful computer to run your software because all the “heavy lifting” happens on several fast computers (servers) somewhere else.
- Your software will get updated often, and you won’t need to do anything to receive the updates.
- All your information is backed up in a safe location for you. If something happens to your computer, simply log in from another device and pick up where you left off.
- Use your software from anywhere, from any device.
- You’ll be able to scale your business easily since you only pay for what you need with cloud software.
- As more and more cloud applications become available, it’s easier to make these services “talk to each other,” which results in more integrations and add-ons.
- Using software in the cloud means that multiple people can use it at once, from multiple devices, and this won’t slow down your system.
Myth: Cloud software is not secure
The fact that sensitive information is on a server somewhere else instead of on a computer in the place of business is concerning to some people, and that’s fair enough.
But it’s important to know that most cloud software applications, such as Kounta Point of Sale, VEND, MYOB & Xero Accounting Software, Deputy Employee Management and Collect Rewards, have several security measures in place to keep your data secure.
Then, when your data is being transferred from the server to your device, it’s fully encrypted so that no one can intercept it. Kounta Point of Sale, VEND, MYOB & Xero Accounting Software, Deputy Employee Management and Collect Rewards, they use the same technology as banks to encrypt your data so that it’s kept safe as it’s travelling from our servers to you.
Additionally, there are firewalls and other protective systems in place to ensure that hackers can’t infiltrate the servers.
Overall, it’s much more secure to keep your data in the cloud than it is to keep it on your local computer.
For small business owners, the benefits of using cloud-based systems are tremendous. There is often less of an upfront investment for the software, as most cloud computing apps are run on a subscription model, and the devices used to access the apps don’t need to be extremely powerful. All you really need is a browser! Additionally, cloud-based software is updated often, and overall, it’s more secure than running a system on your local computer.
But perhaps the biggest benefits of using cloud-based systems are that they’re easily integrated with other similar services, and they can be used from anywhere in the world, at any time. Not only will this save you money and time spent doing admin work, using the cloud will give you true freedom in your business, and as a business owner, that’s something to aspire to!
If you are interested in getting your business in the cloud using best-in-class cloud-based POS Software and applications, please contact POSmate Point of Sale Systems by email at sales@posmate.com.au or call 0406 103 016 at any time.