Some of the smartest small business owners and managers I know are jumping on the “cloud bandwagon.”  What I mean is, they are improving their business operations by using online software services. 

Online software services are exactly what they sound like.  They are software programs that you use online, by connecting to the Internet and logging in to the software using your Web browser.  They’re called services because the company providing the software provides them as a service.  This means they not only give you the use of the software, but they store and safeguard any data you use in the software program. The software company handles everything, soup to nuts:  keeping the software running; fixing bugs; managing databases; preventing intrusions and data breaches; enhancing and updating the software.

In exchange for this service, your company typically pays a monthly fee. Sometimes you pay an annual fee.  Some software services may even be free. 

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