Explore the benefits of cloud computing with small business training grants

Cloud computing is for everyone. We refer to its accessibility and how organisations of varied sizes and industries can enjoy its benefits. They can use the cloud to streamline and automate at least some of their processes.

Best of all, the Federal Government offers grants for small businesses so you can access cloud computing training.

Augment your training budget for cloud computing for small business

You can apply for training grants for small businesses to cover your cloud training costs. The Small Business Technology Investment Boost and Small Business Skills and Training Boost by the Federal Government offer small business grants for employee training to make up for your expenses.

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) explains that small businesses can deduct an added 20 per cent of the cost incurred on business expenses and depreciating assets that support their digital adoption. Examples of costs supporting digital adoption include portable payment devices, cyber security systems or subscriptions to cloud-based services.

For the new Small Business Skills and Training Boost, an annual $100,000 cap on expenditure will apply to each qualifying income year.

• Small businesses can find support for related training and upgrades beyond these under existing laws.

• Small businesses can keep deducting expenditures ineligible for the bonus deduction under the existing tax law.

Businesses can also continue to deduct expenditures over the $100,000 cap under existing law.

This measure will apply to expenditure incurred in the period commencing from 7:30pm AEDT 29 March 2022 until 30 June 2024.

The benefits of cloud computing for small business

Suppose you plan to apply for a small business grant for cloud computing training. In that case, we share insights on the innovations or improvements small to medium enterprises can enjoy on the cloud, provided your team has the skills to leverage its capabilities.

1. Storage and Backup: Small businesses can use cloud computing to store and backup their important data and files, which can help them protect their data in case of a disaster or other loss.

2. Collaboration and Communication: Cloud-based tools like Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, and Slack can help small businesses collaborate and communicate with employees, customers, and partners in real time, regardless of location.

3. Software as a Service (SaaS): Small businesses can use cloud computing to access software applications like accounting, customer relationship management (CRM), and human resources management (HRM) without having to install and maintain the software on their computers.

4. Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): Small businesses can use cloud computing to access computing resources like servers and storage on a pay-per-use basis, which can help them save money on IT infrastructure.

5. Platform as a Service (PaaS): Small businesses can use cloud computing to develop and deploy their applications without managing and maintaining the underlying infrastructure.

6. Business Intelligence and Analytics: Cloud computing can provide small businesses with access to powerful analytics and business intelligence tools to help them make better decisions and improve their operations.

7. Backup and Disaster Recovery: Cloud computing can provide small businesses with offsite backup and disaster recovery solutions, which can help them to recover quickly from data loss or system failures.

8. Cybersecurity: Cloud-based security solutions can help small businesses protect against cyber threats, including data breaches, malware and phishing attacks.

Maximise the benefits with cloud computing training for small business

Small businesses in Australia should consider cloud computing training. Cloud computing is becoming an essential skill for most companies, and having employees with cloud computing skills can be an advantage for small businesses to survive and compete in the market.

1. First, cloud computing training can help small businesses increase their efficiency and productivity by allowing them to access their data and applications from any device with an internet connection. This can help them save time and money on IT infrastructure and maintenance.

2. Second, cloud computing training can also help small businesses reduce costs by being aware of payment structures and the possibility of paying for only the resources they need rather than investing in expensive hardware and software.

3. Third, cloud computing training can also help small businesses improve their ability to collaborate and share real-time information with employees, customers and partners.

4. Fourth, cloud computing training can also help small businesses use the tools to scale their operations as their business grows.

Effective use of your cloud investment means equipping your team with the right skills. Lumify Work has researched and developed courses tailored to help SMBs better handle the technological challenges they face. We designed our cloud training for small businesses to provide staff with the skills and knowledge needed to manage technology effectively in an SMB environment.

We listened to leaner organisations about their pain points -- many hats, little time for training and long task lists. We then tailored and curated our courses to address these concerns. Our courses are shorter and more flexible, so that busy professionals can fit them into their schedules. View our courses on cloud computing for small businesses below:

AWS Cloud Fundamentals for Small Business - Self-paced
If you are looking to get started with Amazon Web Services (AWS), this AWS Cloud Fundamentals for Small Business course is a great place to start.

Introduction to Cloud for Small Business - Self-paced
New to the concept of "the cloud"? This introductory cloud course will quickly familiarise you with cloud technologies and how to use them to benefit a small business.

Microsoft Cloud Fundamentals for Small Business - Self-paced
Looking to get started with Microsoft Azure? If so, the Microsoft Cloud Fundamentals for Small Business course is a great place to start. This course will teach you the basics of cloud computing and how to use Microsoft Azure to build and deploy cloud-based solutions.

You can also access more courses for small businesses focused on project management, cybersecurity, and marketing automation.

Explore cloud computing for small businesses today

The cloud is for organisations of all sizes. You can push for innovation and streamline your processes by investing in cloud and cloud training.

Help your team gain and maintain their credentials and qualifications that allow you to stand out from the competition and establish the value you offer.

You can access flexible training options for your small business, like self-paced courses and drop-in virtual consultations with our Lumify Work technical instructors.

Our small business training offers are available across Perth, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Canberra. Feel free to contact us about our training solutions for small businesses.

Download our eBook on grants for small businesses and training options.