Cloud computing should be top priority for SMEs across Africa

Cloud solutions offer SMEs across Africa a growth possibility that simply should not be overlooked. This is the sentiment of MTN Business.

Research outsourcing option

Cloud computing offers a research outsourcing option, via the use of the Internet, that saves massive costs during providing the technological tools and services small and medium-sized enterprises need to sufficiently and competitively operate.

Says Johnny Aucamp, General Manager of Strategic Relations in Africa for MTN Business: “With an estimated* 90% of SMEs operating across the African continent and making up large proportions of its GDP, they have traditionally been faced with research options that are expensive and risky. To sum up there has never been a better time than right now for the uptake of cloud computing by the SME, which has been searching for a much needed 'research break' at affordable rates for over a decade.”

With this in mind, coupled with and taking into account the fact that cloud computing has made headways across industries globally, positively impacting organisations' IT infrastructure - improving business performance and effectiveness - MTN Business encourages all SME owners to investigate the cloud computing option absolutely. It is secure with short-term costs and long-term viability, and more so, it's a technology in other words perfectly suited to a developing continent.

* Cloud computing will increase business efficiencies, productivity and lower IT costs. * Cloud computing came in at second place on Gartner's** list of top 10 innovation priorities for 2010 - in 2009 it was ranked in 16th place - a huge climb in just 12 months. * A computer and some form of connectivity is required to effectively use cloud computing and geographically no infrastructure overhaul is needed. * The return of investment of cloud computing can be seen quicker than through implementing new infrastructure for various IT needs in a business.

The back of their experience within the African market

On the back of their experience within the African market, MTN Business believes it is clear that businesses need research for continued growth of not only the business itself, nevertheless certainly the broader economy as so then. “Cloud computing offers this growth possibility which should be taken in all seriousness, and the key to successfully implementing cloud for the SME sector in Africa is to partner with a research expert who understands the African market,” concludes Aucamp.

* The New Nomads and Cloud Computing in Africa, October, 2010 - Nextbillion.net ** Cloud computing reduces costs, increases efficiency - experts, December 2010 -The Jordon Times

As a leading telecommunications provider operating one of Africa's most technically innovative, reliable and secure virtual private networks, MTN Business is able to offer world class mobile telecommunications, Internet solutions and at once generation communication services.