I learned firsthand about the power of this thing called the "cloud" back in 2009 when I helped run a small independent research firm.
We needed encryption and we were using a cumbersome EMC product for our small group of a few dozen clients. It was a powerful product, but the clients hated it because they had to install something on their computer. We hated it because between licenses and service costs, it was way too expensive and overkill for our small business. It was also technologically cumbersome.
Then I started searching for alternatives and I found Watchdox, a private company that did exactly what we needed at a fraction of the cost with none of the headaches. Our clients loved it, too.