How Many Ways Do You Utilize the Cloud?
There are many ways that people use the cloud – besides sharing information between groups. How else do companies utilize the cloud for day-to-day operations? As MSPs it is always advisable to keep an eye out for where clients may be able to streamline processes and improve efficiency. Often these are a result at more effective use of cloud services.
“Deciding which cloud storage and file sharing service (or services) is just one check box on a modern-day CIO’s to-do list”
There are many ways that people use the cloud – besides sharing information between groups. How else do companies utilize the cloud for day-to-day operations? As MSPs it is always advisable to keep an eye out for where clients may be able to streamline processes and improve efficiency. Often these are a result at more effective use of cloud services.
“Deciding which cloud storage and file sharing service (or services) is just one check box on a modern-day CIO’s to-do list”
GIGAOM has refreshed our memory on three major benefits of the cloud, outside of the generic “file sharing and storage” answer.
For Improving Flexibility
“But there’s file sharing and then there’s file sharing, and many companies will end up mixing-and-matching file share and storage solutions based on their own divergent needs.”
As more and more providers emerge, the endless amount of services the cloud can offer your client’s can become more beneficial. Flexibility in IT helps companies save money, improve efficiency and grow as needed.
The wonderful thing about utilizing the cloud within a business is that you are able to decide which type of qualities you would like your cloud to have. For example, how many cloud providers they would like to use – some companies choose to use one cloud provider to store their information securely, while using an additional cloud providers for other services such as sharing and collaboration or backup.
Additionally, organizations are able to decide if they prefer the qualities of a public or private cloud. However, if neither of these clouds fit their personal preference, then they are also able to personalize their cloud in order to create the hybrid. There is an endless amount of possibilities for companies utilizing the cloud within their organization.
For Global Collaboration
“Files have to be synced up so that people across the country can be assured they’re working off the most recent iteration.”
The cloud is accessible from anywhere. This singular trait enables companies to remain on the same page regardless of their location. Specifically for global or national companies, this is an incredibly useful and necessary tool to have.
This platform enables companies to periodically check-in on a document, in real-time. In this way, no one within the company is doing double the work or is a step behind, which could end up wasting a lot of valuable time and resources. Anyone that is involved in a project, regardless of their location, is able to keep current with other team members’ contributions.
For Speedy Access
“Focus on putting massive data-rich files (as opposed to Word docs and photos) into cloud and then promising fast access to those files.”
Unlike documents on a laptop, the cloud rids employees of lugging around a hard drive when they travel from meeting to meeting. This is especially important for employees who are constantly on the road and require design documents, data analyses, and other extremely large files. While more basic documents like Word and spreadsheets are simple to store and retrieve from a device’s drive, if they need access to a larger document, they are able to easily and quickly access it directly from the cloud rather than using other, slower programs to access their files.
The best users are creative and constantly innovating new ways to use tools that were designed for something else. Have you discovered more efficient uses of the cloud? Be sure to share your thoughts in the comment section below.
