SMEs 'should trial small cloud-based projects'

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that employ VoIP hardware who are considering exploring cloud-based services should "dip their toe in" and ensure that it is suitable for their operations, an expert has said.

Andy Horn, general manager at Easynet Connect, stated that one of the advantages of the cloud is that it will not render a firm's existing IT infrastructure - which could include hosted telephony solutions - obsolete.

The expert said he would not advocate companies switching entirely to cloud-based services, adding that adopting it in a piecemeal fashion can allow SMEs to find out how well it will fit in with their existing set-ups.

"For companies that are mindful of controlling their costs we would recommend that they trial small projects in a cloud-based environment and prove that the concept meets their needs, before moving their business critical applications to the cloud," Mr Horn noted.

According to a survey of SMEs by Easynet Connect, 34 per cent revealed they have no desire to embrace this technology.