Cloud Technology
Cloud Technology: Probably no other technology has more affected the way modern business is done than cloud computing.
Faster internet speeds combined with quantum leaps in drive size and processor power have enabled the decentralization of data availability.
What this means in practical terms is widespread access to data across the entire business, or project, or team. It enhances this access across departments, disciplines, and processes, and different machines.
The effects on productivity and efficiency have been phenomenal.
Cloud Computing in a Nutshell
Behind the recent advances in technology lies the fundamental requirement of rapid adaptation.
The modern business needs to move laterally within the marketplace to adjust marketing and production goals promptly.
Companies have to be light enough to shift positions quickly, but large and connected enough to deliver sufficient volume to meet demand.
The right technology enables people, teams, and companies to meet these balanced operational goals.
Cloud systems maintain the latest updates on the progress of a project. The result is savings on labor, such as checking with other departments or retrieving documentation.
The future time saved by a more holistic understanding of project needs by every team member increases productivity. Improves imaginative problem solving and broadens coordination between stakeholders.
Modern businesses can purchase database administration, data storage, and access to applications by subscription, similar to data plans. These plans scale up or down and expanded to multiple offices.
A new era of management flexibility has arrived.
The Technology Behind The Cloud
Cloud applications run on online servers. This approach saves space and other computing resources on systems operated on-premises.
Simultaneous access to a particular application, database, customer list, or financial data by many people and departments across an organization results in closer cooperation.
Deadlines and schedules clearly presented to every project member, clarifying upcoming goals to the entire company.
Also, these abstract principles and online programs decentralize and distributed across multiple devices and platforms, including phones, tablets, laptops, desktops, and servers.
This also allows synchronization and collaboration in real-time between teams and departments.
Communication Improvement
Software application platforms running on servers in the cloud allow uniform communication across the entire enterprise.
Cloud apps remove obstacles such as compatibility barriers between different brands or types of computers.
- Apple users can interact directly with those on Windows, Android, or Linux without the hassles of different file types or application bases.
- Tablet and smartphone users can collaborate with laptops and workstation users in real-time.
- Progress milestones and resource availability can be checked at a glance as a seamless process.
- Phone calls transformed into notes, messages, and project goal updates as they are created, solidifying team performance.
Unifying the communications across departments, project teams, and even between different companies promises significant savings through less delay, more accountability, and precious time saved.
Enterprise Operations
Cloud computing offers other ways to do things smarter.
The vast amounts of data storage available and the fact that processing happens on gigantic networks mean increased speed and relational association in databasing and document flows.
Human resources can be much more responsive to company needs like background checks, recruiting, and benefits monitoring. Document sharing happens across the enterprise simultaneously.
When HR identifies potential issues that require the attention of management, they can notify the officer immediately without having to lift a finger. The software performs the notification automatically based on certain flags in the data.
If contracts need to be negotiated, they can be compared position to position to understand the average costs for benefits and contract riders.
The “front office factor” offered by cloud computing, where administration at the top can instantly communicate to the lowest worker and coordinate with resource management has been the biggest driver behind moving cloud computing into the realm of the “new normal” in business management.
Things have changed permanently in the corporate world, and cloud computing is one of the major drivers.
Cloud computing now carries payroll, finance, and accounting systems, reporting, forecasting, and outside resource management.
Security
With outside specialist firms handling the networking, updating, and security operations of the physical network at the cloud provider’s server location, IT at the business level becomes more transparent and less intrusive.
Technicians can focus more on actual physical issues with equipment and managing maintenance on in-building machines and infrastructure, rather than handling constant security issues with logins and such.
Additional security concerns addressed by the cloud include lower equipment costs, fewer people with local access to databases, and protection from data losses because of local power outages.
You Already Use The Cloud
Applications used by businesses to keep teams coordinated are frequently operating in the cloud already.
Examples include Google tools like Docs, Calendar, and Drive, all of which are cloud applications.
Others include Dropbox and Oracle’s business applications suite.
In the graphics and printing industries, cloud computing has become the norm. With staples like Photoshop and Illustrator now only sold under cloud-based subscription models.
Virtual Systems, Real Life Business Impact
Once the stuff of science fiction stories, applications, and data that are constantly available everywhere and running all the time are now the norm.
The cost savings, convenience, and automatic collaboration of both production and priorities make cloud computing the wave of tomorrow that you can surf today.
Author Bio
Joe Peters is a Baltimore-based freelance writer and an ultimate techie. When he is not working his magic as a marketing consultant, this incurable tech junkie devours the news on the latest gadgets and binge-watches his favorite TV shows.
Follow him on @bmorepeters