Lesley Meall
Lesley Meall is a freelance journalist and editor. She has been writing about accountancy, business and technology for more years than she cares to remember, and before this, at some point in the dim and distant past, she used to be a software engineer.
Latest articles by Lesley Meall
![Man typying on calculator and writing on paper in file](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/9dVX4CefM5LLVtNbtmZreb-320-80.jpg)
Cloud ready-reckoner: how to count the cost
By Lesley Meall published
In-depth Moving to cloud can entail a calculation on the return on investment - what are the factors to consider?
![crm](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/XdS7RiYQgpGPrMjMKGCL6k-320-80.jpg)
CRM: don't just think of it as for the big players
By Lesley Meall published
In-depth CRM has been a major part of corporate software for some years now but it can offer much to small businesses too
![Red question mark made out of the letters of question](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/RoM3Qes6N2pjNwiGWKFxh9-320-80.jpg)
Data ownership in the cloud could prove to be a thorny legal issue
By Lesley Meall published
In-depth Cloud resource use needs to be managed if employees and employers are to avoid data ownership and legal liability issues
![financial cloud $ sign](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/wdvZyqtJTL6bGbXtqwgEec-320-80.jpg)
Cloud computing costs: The meter is running
By Lesley Meall published
In-depth Getting detailed information on the cost of cloud resource consumption isn’t easy, but it is getting easier
![Mergers and acquisitions](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/3GmoRsvhBVbxpd5EKQFPwi-320-80.jpg)
Mergers and acquisitions: how cloud helps the process
By Lesley Meall published
In-depth Mergers are tricky things to get right - and a big headache for IT departments, but cloud could help soothe the process
![A cloud connected to electronic devices](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/NteggQCww7aCjypUeVRyVW-320-80.jpg)
Cloud computing skills - learn to be an angel
By Lesley Meall published
In-depth Cloud architects are not from Venus, despite the current received wisdom but techies do need a broader skillset
![A pile of British pound sterling banknotes](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/WFFZJ9EoCo3pMpB9QwbAXZ-320-80.jpg)
Easy money: how cloud computing lets the cash flow
By Lesley Meall published
In-depth The cash flow benefits of adopting cloud-based software extend beyond the pay-as-you-go approach
![crowd of people around table with clouds](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/zpYeDyNqw5Cmu4wt7dGEuE-320-80.jpg)
Join the crowd: Alternatives to traditional cloud financing
By Lesley Meall published
In-depth Crowdfunding offers alternatives to traditional business finance, but there are legal and taxation complications, as Lesley Meall discovers
![Invoice and calculator](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/3gxeUKRRsck3bKCPcmdJZ9-320-80.jpg)
How to keep an eye on cloud costs throughout your organisation
By Lesley Meall published
In-depth How can businesses keep track of their tech costs when assets are no longer being bought solely by the IT department?
![financial cloud $ sign](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/wdvZyqtJTL6bGbXtqwgEec-320-80.jpg)
Cash in the clouds - the pros and cons of SaaS-based payroll
By Lesley Meall published
In-depth Payroll is a prime candidate when it comes to moving apps from on-premise but what are the issues of moving to SaaS delivery?
![SaaS on a blue screen with a finger stretching to touch it](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/X2XPwSftY4BsUMwMbGFr6Z-320-80.jpg)
Adopting SaaS - some practical considerations
By Lesley Meall published
In-depth Opting for software as a service means that you have to make various changes within your company infrastructure