Cloud technologies have existed for a long time, but they continue to evolve. As more businesses embrace the Cloud, more tools become available that increase their effectiveness. The continued adoption of cloud technology promises to transform the business landscape more than it already has. In fact, you can expect the cloud to change the way we do business in several significant ways.
Improved Operations
In the past, companies were limited by their size and capacity of their IT infrastructure and payroll. Additionally, firms needed to buy and maintain surplus server capacity so that they could handle changes in demand. Cloud technology means that you pay only for the server capacity, storage and software features that you use. As your business grows and shrinks, you can change your cloud-based service plans to meet your needs.
Continuity is another way that cloud technology improves business operations. Third party service providers supply remarkably up-time statistics, eliminating most of the random service disruptions that formerly characterized in-house IT. Similarly, data stored in the cloud improves business security by eliminating the risks associated with hardware failure and vulnerable networks. Also, the cloud helps you avoid the operational problems that result from running out of storage space.
Cloud technology will continue to change the way businesses operate regarding human resources. Cloud-based tools for project management, communication and collaboration have expanded the available labor pool. You can now hire people who live in practically any part of the world, as long as they have Internet access. Employees, meanwhile, no longer need to live near their employer, and those that do can use technology to eliminate their commute by working from home.
Traditional, hybrid and virtual teams enabled by the cloud allow team members to work smarter and faster than ever before. Scalable resources and easy monthly or annual payments for IT resources have given small companies access to tools that formerly were only available to large corporations. The affordability of cloud technology helps even small businesses to compete with large firms in practically any industry or market.
Traditional, hybrid and virtual teams enabled by the cloud allow team members to work smarter and faster than ever before. Scalable resources and easy monthly or annual payments for IT resources have given small companies access to tools that formerly were only available to large corporations. The affordability of cloud technology helps even small businesses to compete with large firms in practically any industry or market.
Cost Savings
As the cloud improves the operation of your business, it also saves you money. You can reduce your IT staff and eliminate many of your servers and network hardware as you adopt cloud technology. Service providers now operate the servers that run your software, so you don’t have to pay for expensive talent and equipment. Similarly, the cloud-based software requires little or no expertise for installation. Service providers manage application updates and upgrades. For some companies, the cloud can reduce IT costs by fifty percent or more.
The cloud enables people to share data and collaborate on projects, eliminating redundant tasks and improving productivity. Such efficiency gains in human and technological resources also result in cost savings and gains in profitability. You will notice that you have more flexibility with the cloud then you had with traditional IT. Because you have less money invested in infrastructure, you have less to lose when you need to respond to market changes and new technology. For entrepreneurs, the cloud means a way to quickly start a business with low startup costs.
The operational improvements supplied by cloud technology also save money. For example, your business can use cloud-based software to allow vendors to interact with your inventory system to streamline your supply chain. You can also use software APIs to automate logistics, accounting and sales data processing. Many cloud solutions also exist that allow your cloud applications to supply data to business customers and consumers. Finally, businesses can cut costs by using the cloud to share their collective resources.
Storage and Security
Cloud technology is changing the way we do business by making business data more accessible to employees and teams while making it safer and more secure online. Businesses have struggled with data security and storage issues for a long time. Fire, theft, natural disasters, viruses and malware often wreak havoc on in-house IT resources. In the past, poor physical security and clunky, ineffective backup systems often paved the way for substantial and irrecoverable data loss. Now, things are different.
Cloud-based applications store company data in central, off-site storage locations, rather than on computer hard drives scattered around company offices. World-class security measures including encryption and firewalls used by cloud service providers deter hackers without compromising the ability of authorized users to access work-related files. Meanwhile, online applications use advanced authentication tactics to control access to company data.
As mentioned earlier, your company no longer needs to worry about computer workstations and servers running out of storage space. Cloud technology takes away the pain associated with running out of disk space. Whenever you reach the storage limit for your application accounts, you can easily buy and add more space from your service provider’s account dashboard.
Mobility and Flexibility
The accessibility of cloud technologies also changes the way you do business. The ability to work remotely has fueled the telecommuting trend that has helped businesses shrink the size of their facilities and improve productivity. You and your team can access cloud-based software from web browsers and mobile apps, making it easy for your employees to work from home or on the road. Wherever employees go, they can perform work-related tasks from their smartphone or tablet. Regardless of whether they travel to trade meetings or visit customer premises, employees can function just as well in the cloud as they used to perform in the office.
The cloud has driven the development of flexible work arrangements, including telecommuting, and has thereby changed the way we think about work. Remote workers now work just as well from their home-based office as they could from their employer’s office. In many cases, employees produce more and have a higher level of job satisfaction than their counterparts who work in a corporate environment. Smartphones and tablets have changed the way companies operate. In the past, employers provided phones, computers, and software for their workers. Nowadays, employees want to use their mobile devices for work. So-called bring your own device (BYOD) policies have complicated IT security and administration for businesses, while making employees more accessible and productive.
Customer Interaction
By now, you might realize that cloud technology affects practically every part of your business. You’re right. The cloud is even changing the way customers interact with you. When a customer needs support, they can use your businesses’ mobile app or website to access support information or open a support ticket. Cloud-based systems can also automate return processing around the clock, helping customers to do business at their convenience.
Your business can move beyond using the cloud to provide customer service and support. You can use cloud-based apps and services to supply value to your customers and target market. For example, you can produce videos and interactive content that show people how your products and services solve real-life problems without needing to have servers and network bandwidth available in your office. Also, when your business content resides in the cloud and in internet caches, customers can access it more quickly than if it resided on servers in your facility.
Conclusion
Cloud technology is changing the way we do business. You can use the cloud to increase the efficiency of your operation while minimizing expenses. The cloud also enhances your data storage and security while giving your labor force.
