The Cloud Forward

February 2025

Good day,

February: shorter month; longer newsletter.

After reviewing some industry surveys and asking our own newsletter subscribers, we found that fewer than half - only between 35% and 45% - of small businesses have a formal IT budget.

So, if you do NOT have an IT budget, you are in the majority.

Having an IT budget impacts how you make spending decisions, as well as the affordability of your IT systems and services.

Book Time with your Cloud Advisor

We continue to offer an IT Budget Workbook Template (link below), and we also suggest that Google Workspace subscribers reassess their current subscription. With the addition of AI, the economic and value propositions have changed.

Speaking of AI, we are focused on helping you ensure your use of AI is productive, secure, and affordable. Join our 3T@3 Series this month to dive a bit deeper, and attend our Coffee & Clouds session for a quick look at NotebookLM, an often overlooked tool. We're sharing the table of contents and session descriptions for an AI Appropriate Usage Policy as well.

Please dive into these resources and let us know if you have questions or would like to discuss your needs and priorities.

We are here to help.

Thank you for being part of our community,

Allen Falcon, CEO

Single Question Survey

Do you have an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Appropriate Usage Policy?

Share your answer by February 28th for a chance to win a $50 Amex Gift Card.

Answer and Enter to Win

In the Media

3 IT Scams for Small Businesses to Avoid

Our CEO, Allen Falcon, writes about how small businesses often fall prey to low-tech IT scams that can, and often do, create high levels of damage.

Read it Here

From Our Blog

Your Strategy for Business Resilience

Cyber incidents and unexpected disruptions are no longer rare events. Business resilience means preparing your organization to absorb disruptions and keep moving forward.

Update Your Resilience Strategy

Which Google Workspace Business Subscription is Right for You?

The right choice depends on your needs, priorities, and budget. While we offer a comprehensive feature comparison, this post highlights key features to help guide your decision.

Check Your Workspace Version