In Russia, the cloud technology market is showing double-digit growth: in 2024, it grew by 36.3% and reached 165.6 billion rubles. 95% of large companies now use the capabilities of cloud services. Today, cloud technologies allow SMBs to use the same tools as large corporations, without the need to purchase expensive equipment and maintain a staff of IT specialists. All that is needed is an Internet connection and properly selected services.
Types of Cloud Services
The key advantage of cloud services is the absence of the need for own equipment and minimization of costs for its maintenance. Thanks to this, cloud systems can be used in a variety of business areas.
CRM systems help automate work with clients. For example, Salesforce allows you to keep track of clients, track deals, and analyze sales efficiency. Many Russian companies use Bitrix24, which offers a full range of tools for managing customer relationships.
Cloud storage has become the standard for storing and exchanging documents. Google Drive and Yandex.Disk allow multiple users to work on documents simultaneously, which significantly speeds up the process of approval and decision-making.
Accounting programs in the cloud help automate financial reporting. 1C:Fresh and Kontur.Elba allow you to keep records, generate reports, and exchange documents with counterparties.
In Russia, the following regulatory acts govern the use of cloud services:
● Federal Law "On Personal Data" No. 152-FZ.
● Order of the FSTEC of Russia No. 21.
● GOST R 58771-2019.
These documents establish requirements for data protection and provide a legal basis for the use of cloud technologies in business.
Key Benefits for SMBs
Cost reduction is the first and most obvious advantage. Companies can abandon the purchase of expensive server equipment and hiring IT specialists for its maintenance. Payment is made on a subscription model, which allows you to accurately plan your budget.
Scalability is another important advantage. Businesses can easily increase or decrease the amount of resources used depending on their needs. This is especially important for seasonal businesses or companies that are in the growth stage.
Accessibility from anywhere in the world has become the standard thanks to cloud solutions. Employees can work remotely, which is especially relevant in modern conditions. This also allows you to attract specialists from different regions without the need for their physical presence in the office.
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<b>Myths and Reality about Cloud Technologies for SMBs</b><b></b>
Myth 1: "The cloud is expensive."
Reality: For small businesses, cloud solutions are often cheaper than buying and maintaining their own servers.
Myth 2: "Data in the cloud is not secure."
Reality: Modern providers use encryption and regularly undergo security audits.
Myth 3: "The cloud is complicated, you need to be an IT specialist."
Reality: Most cloud services are as simple as possible to use and are designed for ordinary users.
What cloud solutions are most in demand among SMBs
Cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox, Yandex.Disk) — allow you to securely store and exchange files between employees, work with documents online.
Online offices (Microsoft 365, Google Workspace) — tools for collaboration, email, calendars, video calls, and more.
CRM systems (amoCRM, Bitrix24, Salesforce) — help maintain a customer base, manage sales, and automate routine tasks.
Accounting and finance (MoeDelo, 1C in the cloud, QuickBooks) — automation of calculations, tax reporting, payroll.
Cloud call centers and telephony — convenient for customer support without expensive equipment.
Cloud services for creating websites and online stores (Tilda, Wix, Shopify) — do not require deep knowledge and programming skills.
How to choose a cloud provider suitable for small business
Simplicity and clear interface — the less time spent on training, the better.
Flexible pricing — the ability to pay only for what you actually use.
Technical support in Russian — especially important if the company does not have its own IT specialist.
Reliability and security — check how the service stores data and how quickly it responds to failures.
Integration with other services — convenient when everything is "friends" with each other (for example, CRM easily connects to telephony and accounting).
Implementation Recommendations
Data protection is one of the main issues when moving to the cloud. Modern cloud providers offer a multi-level protection system, including data encryption, two-factor authentication, and regular backups.
Reliability is ensured through the use of data centers with a high level of fault tolerance. Companies can be sure that their data will be available even in the event of technical problems.
When switching to cloud services, it is important to consider several factors:
● Analysis of the company's needs before choosing a specific solution.
● Assessment of the security and reliability of the provider.
● Data migration plan and employee training.
● Testing before full transition.
● Backup of important data.
Examples of successful use of the cloud by small and medium-sized companies
A clothing store transferred all work with documents to Google Workspace, freeing up time for business development.
A delivery service implemented a cloud CRM and telephony, accelerated order processing, and improved service quality.
A construction company uses cloud storage to exchange project documentation between the office and construction sites.
An accounting agency keeps records of clients and submits reports through cloud services, saving on IT infrastructure.
Conclusion
Cloud services have become an integral part of modern business, especially for the small and medium segment. They allow you to optimize workflows, reduce costs, and increase work efficiency. With the right approach to the selection and implementation of cloud solutions, companies can significantly improve their performance and gain competitive advantages in the market.
In the future, the role of cloud technologies will only increase, so businesses should carefully monitor new solutions and opportunities that they provide. This will allow them to remain competitive and successfully develop in a constantly changing market.
Rostislav Ternovsky,
Product Manager at EdgeЦентр
Now on home
