Most people have heard of the cloud, but how can it be utilized to increase efficiency and achieve business goals?
The various cloud computing technologies have upped the game for many industries around the world. From reducing costs and increasing flexibility to optimizing resource utilization, cloud computing is a vital part of business today. Here are a few of the amazing things you can now do with the cloud.
1. Disaster Recovery
The same technology that allows businesses to be more efficient also makes it easier for data loss to occur. Since a company’s data is its backbone, steps to protect it must be a top priority.
Cloud-based disaster recovery can save your business should a data loss occur, allowing you to get up and running again more quickly than ever before. Relying on on-site data recovery can leave you vulnerable should a disaster occur. By uploading all your important data to the cloud, you and your employees have easy access from anywhere, regardless of the type of data loss that has occurred.
2. File Storage
Gone are the days of file cabinets full of documents, external hard drives, USB drives, and network shares. Today’s savvy business owner uses cloud storage to secure company files. The beauty of cloud storage is that it can be accessed from any device with an internet connection. And because you only pay for the amount of cloud storage you use, it’s highly affordable. Plus, you don’t have to worry about the security of your files as only people with the right credentials can access them.
3. Communication
Cloud computing also allows workers to communicate with each other through cloud-based technologies such as calendars and email. Apps such as WhatsApp and Skype are cloud-based, which means they can be accessed from any device, allowing users to communicate with each other no matter where they are.
4. Social Media
Many people don’t realize that social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter are actually examples of cloud computing at its best. These platforms allow people to find friends and social groups, market products or services, and engage with customers. Aside from cloud storage, social media is the largest use of cloud computing in today’s tech-driven world.
5. Business Processes
If you’ve already automated some of your administrative tasks, you’re using cloud computing technology. For example, customer relationship management (CRM) is a cloud computing service, as are most enterprise resource planning applications. These Software as a Service (SaaS) applications use cloud computing to provide convenience, maintenance, security, and management for all types of businesses.
6. Software Development and Testing
If you’re in the software development industry, you know how time-consuming and tedious the process can be. It can take months to develop and test new software, with hours of training for anyone included in the project.
Relying on traditional methods to develop and test software can leave you in your competition’s dust. With cloud computing tools, however, you’ll be able to develop and test faster, easier, and cheaper.
Without a doubt, cloud computing is quickly becoming a normal part of doing business. There are many ways to utilize the cloud in business, and there are just as many advantages to doing so. More and more businesses are transitioning to cloud computing every day, and it is quickly becoming the go-to for communication, development, testing, and storage.
Cloud computing has the power to make your business more efficient and secure, so there’s really no reason to wait any longer to implement the suggestions above.