Evaluating the benefits of cloud computing in small, medium and micro-sized enterprises (smmes)

Abstract

Cloud computing is becoming an essential tool in lowering Information Technology (IT) costs amongst Small, Medium and Micro-sized Enterprises (SMMEs). As such amongst a myriad of challenges, SMMEs are faced with a general lack of resource capability including the lack of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) infrastructure and skills. This further disables the SMMEs ability to compete with big business and industry peers. As such cloud computing offers SMMEs the ability to access high level ICT services either through SaaS (Software-as-a-Service), PaaS (Platform-as-a-Service) or IaaS (Infrastructure-as-a-Service) service delivery models. Cloud computing adoption amongst SMMEs is relevant in the sense that SMMEs can realise the full benefits of reduced capital expenditure, improved access to ICT systems, heightened security of data and low costs for agile development amongst a myriad of cloud computing benefits.