Simplifying cloud computing for small businesses

Technology and growth have become inextricably linked in today's economic world. Enterprises of all sizes and industries are realizing the revolutionary power of sophisticated technologies like cloud computing. This is especially true in the Indian economic scene, where 7.9 million registered Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) play an important role, accounting for nearly 33% of the nation's GDP and employment. With an increasing number of processes and systems moving online, cloud computing can drive significant change in India’s MSME sector.

However, to make it simple and seamless for an MSME business to adopt cloud computing solutions, providers should keep a number of factors in mind, such as cost-effectiveness, helping them with easy onboarding, data security, and flexible hourly billing. These advantages help SMEs adopt cloud computing solutions faster and effortlessly scale their operations in a speedy and effective manner by utilizing cloud services.

Indian Cloud Computing Solution for Small Businesses

Unlike its counterparts from more developed countries, the challenges that Indian SMEs face are unique. Even though there is no shortage of labor, skilled technology developers aren’t easy to find and retain. This makes it difficult for MSMEs to independently build and scale complex technology architectures. They, therefore, seek support from cloud computing providers with expertise in their domain, who assist them in adoption and help remove roadblocks as and when they come. This invaluable assistance is the biggest leverage that Indian cloud computing providers can offer.

One other significant advantage of Swadeshi Cloud providers is their price-performance ratio, which the cost-conscious MSME sector greatly values. This is in addition to the inherent benefits of leveraging cloud computing, such as the flexibility of per-hour billing and elimination of the need for upfront investment in hardware and infrastructure. Instead of being encumbered by the expensive initial capital expenditure associated with traditional IT systems, SMEs can allocate resources more efficiently and focus on key business operations.

Assistance in launching and deploying cloud solutions is another critical challenge. Most small businesses in India lack the in-house expertise and resources to navigate the complexities of migrating to a cloud platform effectively. They often require guidance and support from cloud computing providers to ensure a smooth and efficient transition. These providers, who understand the need for simplified frameworks, offer valuable insights, best practices, and technical assistance to help them utilize the full potential of cloud computing.

Furthermore, by working with a Swadeshi Cloud Computing platform that is fully compliant with India’s IT laws, small businesses can protect themselves and reduce compliance risks. This also lowers risk of data breaches and illegal access because the data is still subject to the country's stringent privacy and security laws. Additionally, a local cloud solution also helps with faster data access and lower latency, improving operational efficiency. 

Last but not least, swadeshi cloud computing platforms that are adept at harnessing open source technologies, can provide a powerful leverage to small businesses, who tend to gravitate towards open source technologies due to the ease of licensing and cost benefits. This means that an informed swadeshi provider can also guide them in the right direction and offer insights into the right set of technologies to use for their business. This helps them build and scale with peace of mind that comes from a knowledgeable partner.

Future of SMEs and Cloud Computing

According to the report, NASSCOM predicts that cloud technology would contribute 5% to 8% of India's GDP by 2026. Furthermore, IDC predicts that the Indian public cloud services market would reach $10.8 billion by 2025, expanding at a CAGR of 24.1% between 2020 and 2025. 

With the growing number of MSMEs exploring Swadeshi Cloud Computing platforms, we can imagine the digitization potential that’s waiting to be unlocked, and the positive effects it will have on business supply chains and customer experience. The right kind of assistance from cloud computing providers in simplifying this migration would act as a catalyst in furthering this growth.

The article has been written by Tarun Dua, Managing Director at E2E Networks Ltd