Potential of Cloud-Based Infrastructure for Small Business Development

With all the hype surrounding Cloud computing and cloud-based services, this study puts it to the test. This paper describes an in-depth case study of a micro-enterprise that utilized a cloud infrastructure to adopt technology. The contribution from this study is two-fold: one from the perspective of cloud-based services and how easily and effectively they may be incorporated into the business, and the second contribution is from a small business assistance program perspective in how such an infrastructure may be used to efficiently help businesses with technology. Prior research has shown that when small firms are able to adopt and use Information technology, they can grow faster than firms that don´t adopt technology. A major obstacle to the cause is their inability to utilize technology to its full capability. Findings from the case study shed insight for researchers and practitioners involved in using IT to assist microenterprises in underserved regions.