There are many obvious benefits of cloud PCs for large corporations. There’s also increasing recognition of how cloud PCs can help small businesses thrive and transform by assisting with growth, agility, flexibility, and enhancing productivity while also saving on capital expenses.

Has your business been considering cloud PCs (also known as virtual desktops, virtual workstations or cloud computers)? 

Perhaps once you read all about the benefits of cloud PCs you’ll be like many small businesses and make the switch. 

And if you’re busy launching a startup or you only have a few staff members and are thinking of scaling, you’re in a perfect position to transition to virtual desktops before you invest money into expensive on-premise IT infrastructure. 

Below we look at 6 of the top reasons why cloud PCs (compared with traditional PCs) can help small businesses to thrive, in terms of cost-savings, flexibility, mobility, scalability, productivity and control - ultimately providing a competitive advantage and resilience in the face of business continuity and disaster recovery risks.

Cloud PCs: an overview

Cloud PCs provide users with access to managed IT infrastructure that is stored in the cloud. Virtual desktop providers manage the installation and deployment of your virtual workstations and generally take care of all updates, maintenance and cybersecurity.

Cloud PCs can be customized so that your users have access to software and tools they need to do their jobs. You can also control access and permissions easily through a centralized control panel and you only pay for the services you use. 

Cloud PCs make it easy to access data and software from any device, and from anywhere in the world, as everything is stored on a server rather than on the device.

6 reasons why cloud PCs are essential for small businesses

Cloud PCs are fast becoming indispensable tools for businesses of all sizes, because of the myriad of benefits they provide. For small businesses in particular, the cost savings, flexibility, mobility, enhanced security and productivity they offer makes cloud PCs a very attractive IT choice.

Below are 6 of the top reasons why small businesses can benefit from using cloud PCs.

1. Cost savings, reduced costs and ability to scale

When you pay for virtual desktops, you no longer need powerful and expensive computers and servers. Eliminating these types of IT infrastructure from your budget can help to greatly reduce your capital expenditures. You also get to save on the costs associated with managing that infrastructure, insuring it, and intensively managing all the software upgrades and maintenance. 

Cloud PCs also allow small businesses to save costs on rent or mortgages for equipment and large storage spaces for servers and other instructure which you may not need if you migrate to the cloud. You can also save on energy bills, and if you are able to become fully remote with a 100% mobile workforce, you can also save on all costs related to having a physical premises. 

Another financial benefit of using virtual desktops is that paying for them can help small businesses to improve their cash flow, which may already be quite tight. This is done by paying on a subscription basis - only paying for services that you actually use and need, and avoiding large capital outlays. 

The financial benefits of cloud PCs help small businesses (and big businesses too) to remain agile and able to quickly transition as market trends change. This flexibility and agility can really help small businesses to grow and scale as needed. 

2. Flexibility and mobility

When your employees work on cloud PCs, they can access a wide range of applications and data from anywhere, using any device. That makes it very easy to onboard and offboard staff, and customize permissions and access. It also makes it easier for staff to work from home, work remotely or even share and collaborate on information while traveling. 

It’s this ability to work from anywhere on any device that provides a huge amount of flexibility, and enables a more mobile workforce which is particularly attractive for businesses that want to operate remotely or using a hybrid model. 

For small businesses, it can be quite attractive to employ people on a 100% remote basis, as it can help save on the costs of renting or buying office space, and it means you can attract the top talent from anywhere in the world. Virtual computers allow businesses to do this, while protecting their security and optimizing uptime, efficiency, and productivity. 

3. Security

Cybersecurity attacks, data breaches and loss of data are risks that can jeopardize the continuity of any businesses. That’s why it’s imperative to have the most advanced security measures in place, particularly as a small business. 

Virtual desktops can help small businesses to stay protected in a cloud environment, by taking responsibility for protecting against cyber attacks and constantly monitoring for breaches or suspicious activity. Cloud hosts also ensure that updates are managed and that antivirus software and checks are done regularly. And they can turn on or off permissions at the touch of a button. 

So from a security perspective, cloud PCs can help small businesses operate while having 24-hour cybersecurity and regular, automatic backups.

4. Productivity

Small businesses need to ensure productivity and efficiency to help them remain competitive and as a pathway to grow and scale. Cloud PCs can help to boost productivity as many offer a wide range of integrations that can save time and make collaboration and communication more efficient and effective. 

Cloud PCs also enable staff to work from any device, so if one is broken, they can just switch to another machine without needing to stop work. This can save time and money and you generally also get 24/7 support so that you can fix problems as soon as they arise (which may be faster than if you managed all your own IT infrastructure and had to rely on the availability of in-house staff).

5. Control

There is often a higher level of control when it comes to cloud PCs compared with traditional desktops because the business can access and administer all IT functions from a central location. That includes allocating or deactivating access and permissions, and storing all data in a central location that makes it easier to save and share information. 

6. Competitive edge (and sustainability)

Cloud computing can give your small business a competitive edge, allowing it to remain agile and to scale. That’s because having access to a system that allows you to more effectively and productively work and collaborate, means you can provide better and more efficient services and your staff can get more work done without the IT hassles related to traditional desktops. 

And as small businesses try to carve out a niche and competitive edge, many also turn to boosting their sustainability credentials by going green. Cloud computing can help companies to minimize their environmental and energy footprints, especially if cloud data centers run on renewable energy. Their shared model also helps to reduce the need for on-site hardware and often exorbitant energy bills which can also reduce your environmental impacts.



Final thoughts on the benefits of cloud computing for small businesses

Virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) is changing the way businesses are able to operate. Cloud desktops make it easier for businesses to employ staff that work remotely, to more safely adopt a bring your own device (policy), and to save costs on expensive hardware and onsite servers.

Using cloud PCs, small businesses can remain agile, productive and more resilient to cybersecurity-related risks. Small businesses can also scale more easily, and many are happy to pay for their IT as a subscription cost rather than a capital expense as it helps with lowering costs and ensuring you only pay for what you need. 

By customizing your business’s cloud PCs and installing the applications and software you need, you can maintain centralized control of your IT and take advantage of advanced security measures - making it easier to manage your business IT needs. 

Whether you opt for desktop as a Service (DaaS), hosted virtual desktops (HVD) or Workspace as a Service (WaaS), you’re likely to need help in navigating the complexities of the choice between service providers and in assessing your actual needs and requirements.

At NB Technology we’re experienced in helping our clients to find tailored cloud solutions and in managing the entire process on our client’s behalf. 

Contact us at (704) 644-1220 for a no obligation consultation to discuss your network and cloud services needs and any inquiries you may have.