Here's where a small business could find information about cloud computing

From insights on the benefits of cloud adoption to information on cost and where you can access AWS training and Government grants, we share where a small business could find information about cloud computing.

Without realising it, many small businesses are using AWS solutions. Most of the tools and apps they use are built on AWS. Understanding that technology and how the cost is computed is critical to driving efficiency and getting value for money.

What is the cost of cloud computing for small business?

Specific to AWS, business pricing starts from as little US $100.00 or AU$ 150 per month with additional fees varying on location and services configured. But small businesses can explore tools for estimating and exploring the platform.

• Would you like to see the math behind pricing? You can use the AWS calculator to see the math behind the price for your service configurations.

• Are you just exploring the platform and possible uses cases for your SMB? AWS has a free tier to help you get hands-on experience with it and its products and services.

• Are you a start-up? You may be eligible for AWS credits through AWS Activate provides eligible start-ups with a host of resources, including free AWS credits to spend on AWS services and AWS Support.

Government support for cloud adoption and training for small businesses

SMBs can avail themselves of grants to cover cloud subscriptions and training costs. The Small Business Technology Investment Boost and Small Business Skills and Training Boost by the Federal Government provides small business grants for employee training to mitigate your expenses.

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) explains that small businesses can deduct 20 per cent of the cost incurred on business expenses and depreciating assets supporting their digital adoption. Costs supporting digital adoption can be portable payment devices, cyber security platforms or subscriptions to cloud-based services. For the new Small Business Skills and Training Boost, an annual $100,000 cap on expenditure applies to each qualifying income year.

• Under existing laws, small businesses can find support for related training and upgrades beyond these.

• Small businesses can keep deducting expenditures not eligible for the bonus deduction under the existing tax law.

Under existing law, businesses can continue to deduct expenditures above the $100,000 cap. This measure applies to business expenses incurred from 29 March 2022, 7:30 pm AEDT until 30 June 2023.

How understanding the cloud benefits your organisation

Developing your technical team's cloud skills is critical, but there are also benefits to training all employees— from sales, marketing and finance to HR, senior leadership and more.

Enhancing “cloud fluency” enables everyone to speak the same language and brings diverse perspectives that drive richer conversations and faster innovation. You can then embrace more experimentation and gain agility – without the usual costs.

AlphaBeta's "Building Skills for the Changing Workforce" report shows that:

• 87 per cent of organisations can fast-track their digitalisation goals after investing in training.

• 86 per cent report new cost savings.

How can you maximise your SMB's AWS investment?

AWS Training and Certification empowers the teams across your business to keep up with the latest cloud tools—so they can be among the first to leverage these technologies.

An ESG Survey commissioned by AWS sought responses from IT leaders. According to these leaders with AWS-trained and certified staff:

• 90% have seen an increase in productivity

• 91% say it drives innovation

• 87% report reduced downtime

• 85% achieve faster deployment times

• 97% say it puts their company in a better competitive position to succeed over the next three to five years

What AWS training is available for small businesses?

The team at Lumify tailored and curated courses for leaner organisations to address their concerns. Small business cloud training programs are shorter and more flexible, so busy professionals can fit them into their schedules.

AWS Cloud Fundamentals for Small Business - Self-paced
If you are at the exploration stage of your Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud journey, check this course out. Learn about the fundamentals of AWS, like how to create and manage Amazon EC2 instances, S3 buckets and more.

AWS CloudUp Bootcamp
Lumify is proud to partner with AWS to offer this flexible, community-based learning program that provides Amazon Web Services Cloud Foundations training on your terms. You can sign up to join a supportive and fun community as you achieve AWS Cloud Practitioner Certification. June Program kicks off on Tuesday, 20 June 2023. October Program kicks off on Tuesday, 10 October 2023.

What are AWS cloud training experiences like at Lumify?

Our team are committed to helping small businesses turn change into opportunity. Lumify Work (formerly DDLS Training) is AWS's Advanced Tier Training Partner. Our partnership enables us to provide our customers with innovative learning and community experiences.

View our Events Page for updates on upcoming AWS Cloud computing events. They take the form of online webinars, hackathon-style Game Days or in-person sessions. We produce events with Business leaders and IT-technical professionals in mind.   

The goal is to help them learn about basic cloud concepts and AWS Cloud Terminology and core services so they can form the best cloud training strategies.

Lumify’s pool of Authorised AWS Instructors can guide you through a learning path relevant to you and your organisation so that you can maximise your cloud investment.

Access our brochure on AWS training to get more details.

Book a consultation to discuss your AWS training requirements for your small business.

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