Web-delivered IT solutions stand to benefit small- to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) and possibly bolster growth among smaller enterprises, according to National Business Awards co-Chair Alex Evans.

Evans, who also serves as the Awards' Editorial Director, said that starting a business has become an easier process with the advent of IT delivered through the Internet, such as cloud computing and software as a service (SaaS).

"The web has enabled smaller businesses to launch quickly and less expensively than they have traditionally in the past," Evans said. "They've hit the ground running, particularly looking at the technology side of things."

His remarks came as a number of smaller businesses found themselves nominated for awards at his organisation's 8 November ceremony in London.

"There's a high proportion of [small] businesses recognised this year because their growth has been so impressive," he said.

One factor he said contributes to the growth of small businesses is agility, something cloud computing proponents tout as one benefits of the technology.

Evans said the cloud could help an SMB to increase its reach as well.

"With the infrastructure of cloud computing you've got virtual offices with production in one barn in Somerset, you've got management in London, the customer service team might be based in another country," he said.

Web-based solutions can enable businesses to make transactions outside the UK as well, he said.

Small businesses are "using connections via the web to go straight overseas, to expand their customer base and innovate around search - it's a lot faster."

Written by Jason Morton
 

Cloud computing boosts smaller businesses