In the world of business, the importance of technology to business operations cannot be overlooked. Critical to the day-to-day operation and success of many businesses are technology-based applications such as integration technology, remote access, and office productivity solution. Cloud-based concepts can provide a number of benefits for your business, including scalability, reduced IT costs, automation, effective collaboration, security, business continuity and flexibility. Here are 5 cloud-based concepts that can help to boost your business.

1. CloudPhone 

If your small business takes off and grow, you will most certainly need a reliable phone system. Think of CloudPhone as having a completely-functional corporate PBX (private branch exchange), minus the hassle, and with all the features of a “real” professional business phone, including automated virtual receptionist, two-way business SMS, enhanced voicemail, call routing, conference calling, and virtual phone numbers, among other features. It transforms individual smartphones into business phones, allowing employees to conveniently work from any location, while maintaining a connection with the corporate phone system.

2. Xero

This is a great alternative to Quickbooks when it comes to accounting software, particularly, if your objective includes growing your business. Xero has a variety of features, from automation to integration capabilities, and offers real-time financial reporting, anytime and from any location on your Mac, PC, tablet or phone. Ideal for a range of businesses, Xero provides reliable data, secure data protection, process invoice, track inventory and process payroll. Xero is bookkeeping made easy and efficient.

3. HubSpot

In the realm of cloud marketing automation, HubSpot is a top marketing tool that could help boost your business. It can scale with the size of your business, be it a micro business, midsize company, or large enterprise. HubSpot is a great business solution that combines marketing, customer relationship management (CRM), and sales solutions, to facilitate the development of  smarter, more data-driven marketing campaigns that can build deeper relationships and grow your business.

4. Approval Donkey

This cloud-based sign-off and approval business solution can help to minimize the potential of a project halting because the next approval in the chain of workflow is taking precious time to be finalized. With Approval Monkey, you have a 100% digitally focused solution that can streamline and automate your approval, sign-off and decision making processes, in the areas of accounting and finance approval flows, stakeholder and management approval flows, or operations and administration approval flows. The benefits of this cloud-based concept includes the tracking of responses that saves time, transparency, mobility and enabling collaboration.

5. Asana 

Asana is an online collaboration and productivity tool that help teams manage goals, tasks and workflows, and track projects across teams from start to finish. It facilitates reporting and connected conversations that are all easily accessible and transparent to each team member. It allows for everyone to work on and collaborate together with total clarity and accountability across your company. With Asana, you can track work and get results more quickly and efficiently.

Cloud-based concepts provide a new way of doing business by shifting away from the traditional manner of conducting operations. Furthermore, it offers many benefits such as lower IT costs, increased productivity, scalability and flexibility. CloudPhone, Xero, Hubspot, Approval Monkey and Asana are five cloud-based concepts that could prove vital to your business.