While subscription-based pricing can be a good option for some small businesses, it's important to carefully weigh the pros and cons before committing to one, let along a platform that involves a long-term contract.

In the end, implementing cloud-based software for small business operations requires a closer look at more than just a subscription to a cloud service provider. Even file storage services like Dropbox can come with hidden requirements that can cause hardware performance issues. If you compound these requirements across multiple cloud-based tools, you can begin to think your business is in need of expensive hardware upgrades, without realizing why.

In a previous post, we spoke about creating an IT Strategy that aligns with your business and its cashflow. As discussed, without a plan there can be hidden costs related to technology being used by the business workflows, leeching profits from your company. One common example of a profit leech is the giant 'has so many features that nobody uses including fax for some reason’, multifunction business printer lease.

Choosing the right software for your business can be a daunting task. With so many options available, it's easy to get lost in the latest trends, buzzwords and sales presentations.

But here's the thing: software selection doesn't matter unless it performs the tasks you need it to perform.