Take advantage of cloud services, especially if they’re free
Many of your peers and employees already use Gmail. Why not put it to its best use? Although cloud services have been around for a long time, they’ve been attracting buzz from workplaces around the world for the last few years. This is because they enable sharing and collaboration in ways that used to be unthinkable. The three major types of cloud services are Software as a Service (SaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS). For larger-scale operations, it makes sense to spend a bit of money on one of these services. The Google app suites count as Software as a Service, which is the most popular form of cloud service. It’s typically also the least expensive (if it’s not free). However, depending on your enterprise’s needs, it’s worth considering PaaS and IaaS. “Platform as a Service” refers to cloud computing services allowing users to build and manage their own web application services without having to develop their basic infrastructure. There are several companies providing PaaS or IaaS, including Oracle, Google App Engine, and IBM Bluemix. “Infrastructure as a Service” offers support for a full-scale IT enterprise, complete with web servers, mail servers and more, all hosted remotely within a data center. As your venture grows, use of these services can reduce costs and time associated with managing your technology, allowing you to focus on your business.Mobile is key
In 2016, the number of smartphone users in the world will reach 2 billion -- almost a quarter of the world’s population! Though your venture may not rely on online sales, to stay competitive, it’s critical to think about how this might affect you. Businesses envisioning new ways of harnessing mobile technology prove they’re thinking about their future, and they have the upper hand on those who don’t.
If your company’s website isn’t optimized for mobile devices, now is the time to do it. Revising your site (along with all web-based communications, such as email campaigns and ads) to make sure it functions well on tablets and smartphones gives you an opportunity to assess your web presence. Make sure to work with a developer who has a solid background in mobile design.





