Save content
Have you found this content useful? Use the button above to save it to your profile.
AIA

KashFlow declares 12 December Cloud Computing Day

by
9th Dec 2008
Save content
Have you found this content useful? Use the button above to save it to your profile.

This Friday, 12 December, has been designated National Cloud Computing day by internet accounting provider KashFlow. John Stokdyk reports

"The Cloud Computing Day challenge is simple - for small businesses to exclusively use online software in their day to day business on December 12th. This is a fun challenge with a serious message" commented KashFlow founder Duane Jackson, who announced the initiative in his company blog.

"We hope National Cloud Computing Day will help to raise awareness of a more efficient, economic and flexible way of working."

A shameless publicity stunt it may be, but Cloud Computing Day is a clever way to raise the profile of software as a service, which is rapidly growing into a viable alternative to traditional desktop accounting software. Two weeks before the big day, for example, Sage previewed its latest effort to enter the Cloud space with Sage Live Cash, a direct competitor to KashFlow's entry-level accounting system.

Aside from his knack for self-promotion, Jackson can also point to a product that has matured very rapidly since it was introduced in 2006, and which beat Sage, QuickBooks and MYOB to the 2008 Software Satisfaction Award for small business accounting software.

As KashFlow sees it, the national day of celebration will encourage UK small businesses to experiment with online applications for tasks such as word processing, spreadsheeting, accounting, email and contact management.

The company is hosting an event on Facebook where users will be able to share their experiences throughout the day. Afterwards, KashFlow plans to publish a survey showing what small businesses think of cloud applications.

"Cloud computing generally represents much better value than installed software - and in some cases it's actually free," Jackson said. "The benefits of cloud computing are huge - there's no need to implement software upgrades, pay for maintenance or add more hardware. This makes SaaS - or cloud computing - attractive to UK small businesses, particularly during a recession. And that's why the way we all work is changing.

"Many applications also include free online storage helping businesses to synchronise, backup and access data anywhere in the world. But I suspect there are a number of areas that aren't being catered for. The business tasks and processes where participants can't find an online solution are likely to be more revealing than the areas where they can."

Tags:

Replies (0)

Please login or register to join the discussion.

There are currently no replies, be the first to post a reply.