The focus in SME is mainly to get things done faster and quicker with out-and-out reliance on human resources. When larger companies are investing more in newer technologies to find efficiency and productivity in current operations, SMEs are struggling to even optimize the basic tools like emails and information collaboration in daily working, with problem compounding if the operations are spread across multi-locations.

The cloud applications today have created opportunity for the SMEs to finally get the best of technology in a simpler way. It’s not about the nitty-gritty’s of cloud computing or private cloud or cloud hosting; rather it’s just the plain simple applications available on web.

On evaluation of primary needs in technology for any SME, the six areas that are always highlighted in their daily working are Email, Document Storage, Communication, Task Management, Billing and Accounting. Hence, the foundation of technology in SME has to start with the right and the cheapest solution for all the above six, individually or together whichever is available and feasible.

In few cases the accounting is favored to be on premises, but slowly that trend is also changing. But looking closely for all the six cases, there are cloud applications currently available which are cheap (monthly rental) or free (advertisement supported) and with the right research any enterprise can find the right combination for their working scenario. All it takes is a one time initiative, a weekend’s work and a week’s implementation.

On successful transformation to web based application, results can be experienced when the working information is available anytime anywhere accessible with just an internet connection, independent of any machine. Gradually, the opportunity to see, in real-time, what is happening, where and when, also offsets any fear of reliability and security of cloud based applications. The confidence on simpler initiatives allows further push towards online billing or a complete web based accounting package to more advance business systems.

It’s the right time for SMEs to start investing their time (money is not necessary in lot of cases) into their working strategy, with cloud applications as the center of everything. The first movers will definitely have advantage.