What is the cloud?

Majority of people imagine the cloud to be some fluffy puff of data up in the sky – I know I do! I think I even point out doors and slightly upward when I reference it. It’s natural.
Technically speaking, that’s wrong.

So what is it? It’s actually a network of servers all with different functions. You may not realise it, but chances are, you’ve already used the cloud. See it as a box of information – Like your physical file of invoices. Only, you don’t own the file itself, Google, Apple even Amazon may own the file. But only you have the key for the padlock to get in, you’re kind of renting the space.

Why do we use it?

To be frank, in years to come, there will be no choice. At the moment for example, you take a photo on your phone and it stores your media on the drive built into your handset.
But what if there was no internal memory?… There has been talks that soon (technophobes, don’t worry we aren’t talking tomorrow) technology will all be ran via the cloud.

Lets try not see it as a big rain cloud though, the benefits to this are ENDLESS! For example;

1. Financially speaking, you are 9 times out of 10 going to be better off. Large companies aren’t buying expensive hardware that depreciates over time, they now just pay for what they use.

2. UNLIMITED storage. Anything and everything can be put up there (see, still talking like it’s in the sky!) but in numbers terms – because we like that here – you’re talking an Exabyte of space. How big is that you ask… as did I! Google told me that one source noted 5 exabytes would likely encompass all the words ever spoken by mankind, in any language. So pretty big.

3. Universal access. While you might not be planning to set up a branch of your business in the Maldives right now, you just never know what the future may hold. The cloud offers instant access in any location, wherever in the world you may be.

4. Updates? What updates. We’ve all been there, on our 15th cup of tea because our computer is still installing updates or the new software requires a full system reboot. Well say goodbye to those days. Updates are instantaneously done, so quick, so sharp, the only way you’ll know is when you have that function that you’ve been dreaming of! (C’mon, we are accountants, what else do we dream of!)

5. Potential to be greener and more economical – the average amount of energy needed for an action carried out in the cloud is on average far less than one not.

How Secure is the cloud?

As a whole, your data is safer in the cloud than any other IT system you have. I for one have often misplaced a pen drive or had a virus on a computer and not been able to access anything on it.
We can all fold our arms and stand firm because of the news article we may have heard once encompassing the belief that our current IT situation is doing a better job that the cloud ever could – but it’s simply not true.

The hosts of the cloud (mentioned previously) have better security mechanisms in place, they are more paranoid, and attentive to any security risks due the immense pressure they are under to keep it safe. Let’s put it this way, if your data was to be destroyed in anyway, we would probably be in a nuclear war – so I’m guessing you’d have bigger problems to deal with.

Cloud Accounting

So why are we up on the know and why do we want you to get involved? Truthfully, to make your life easier as well as ours.

Many companies who initially created desktop accounting software over the years have now evolved onto cloud accounting. Something that they have invested tens of millions to do so.
Cloud based systems – which are discussed in a moment – offer massive potential to eliminate mundane tasks and let you concentrate on running your business. Integration is now widely used between Ebay and Amazon to name a few, all of which Harris Lacey and Swain can advise you on. We work a little different to other firms, we ensure our up to date knowledge enables us to choose a system that is right for you and your organisation.

The dream of flexible, always available, financial information has arrived. (There we are dreaming again!)

It’s true, you can be anywhere, at home on a desktop computer, on your phone at a customer’s premises or even on your tablet on a beach 10,000 miles away – you could do the exact same task. Whether that be pay a supplier, create an invoice and even generate one of the hundreds of management reports readily available.

Quickbooks

We have expertise in a wide range of cloud based accounting systems, as previously mentioned, but everyone has a favourite, don’t they?! At Harris Lacey and Swain we LOVE Quickbooks, and with good reason.

The US based brand have acquired global recognition due to their innovative approach. They pump millions into the business to ensure they reach the top levels of customer satisfaction (and quite frankly, the investors are loaded. They aren’t going anywhere).

They provide an option to play about with a sample company which is great. It’s so simple, easy and perfect for at a glance information. Not only this, but if you did have a question you can chat online or pick up the phone – their dedicated call centres are UK based and vow to pick up the phone within minutes, probably quicker than when you ring your gran!

You really do have to see it to believe it. They offer a free trial online and if you decide to go ahead, the prices are very competitive. Speak to us about signing up to first and we’ll even pass on a discount. Winning!
The three packages that are available depend on your business size and needs. The best bit… prices start as little at £8.00 (excl. VAT) per month.

So why are you still reading?! Get in touch, find out more and get started with the cloud.