Businesses around the globe have been finding the benefits of cloud computing - a technology that allows files and applications to be hosted and accessed remotely. One benefit noted by many proponents is increased efficiency.

However, in addition to lowering the energy expenditure and cutting out some of the costs of purchasing and maintaining server and desktop hardware, Guido Marchetti of MJ Flood Technology in Ireland told Silicon Republic that the cloud offers other means of staying productive as well.

"Traditionally, we would have all liked to see our employees trudge in at 8.30am or 9am to sit at their desk and we would want to see them to know that they’re being productive," Marchetti said. "However, I use cloud services on a daily basis and it allows me to be an awful lot more proactive.

"With tools like Presence, straight away my boss can see when I've logged into the machine so he knows if I'm not up and around even though I'm not in the office."

The senior account manager also extolled the virtues of the cloud in an increasingly mobile and interconnected world, explaining that all that's needed to check into the office or work on tasks nowadays is an internet connection.

"Even if I've left my laptop back in the office, I can just go to my home PC or my iPad, and access all of the systems need," he explained.

As more and more business software programmes, such as spreadsheets and word processing, migrate to the cloud, many sources have predicted increased uptake in the corporate world.

Cloud makes businesses run efficiently