Cloud computing is a broad topic that covers a range of functions and services. Ultimately, it’s designed to make online operations smoother and more secure. In the past several years, we’ve seen a widespread trend of businesses adopting cloud technology to boost efficiency. In today’s climate, the cloud may be more important than ever. To expand on that notion, we’re going to address some questions about the ways the cloud can help your business thrive. These apply even under difficult circumstances for companies of all kinds.
Can Cloud Computing Help with Business Continuity?
“Business continuity” is becoming something of a buzz phrase in 2020. Generally, business continuity is the notion of having a plan to endure and recover from any threat that might emerge to a business. This loose definition conveys why business continuity has become such an important concept of late. Given the severe (and at times fatal) interruptions so many companies of all kinds have encountered with the outbreak of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the need for a disaster plan has never been clearer. And cloud computing can help a business to put such a plan in place. A Forbes discussion about business continuity plans suggests that part of developing a good one is assessing all of the possible risks your business might face in an emergency. Using 2020 as an example, those risks might include an inability to safely work together, or even access a physical workspace. Moving company data and operations to a cloud network can help to address both of these risks. That doesn’t mean the cloud must be your entire continuity plan. But by migrating to a secure online system that can be accessed from any location or device, your business can be prepared for more flexible operations. Under current circumstances, this means being able to maintain productivity while working remotely. In a retail situation, it can mean working with fewer employees in stores. And if your data is connected to a cloud-based point of sale (POS) system, all the better. That will help back-of-house operations run smoothly from anywhere at any time as well.
Can Cloud Computing Help You Organize?
Organizational challenges have been another unfortunate side effect of the present working conditions so many businesses are facing in 2020 (and likely moving forward). . There have been so many changes:
Physical workplaces closing
Employee workload reduction
Client fluctuation
Various other changes
In light of these, some business owners are finding their traditional organizational systems out of order. Schedules have changed, files might be hard to find, communications may not be as efficient, and so on. These problems are understandably annoying. Not only that, they can also lead to a great deal of wasted time and lost efficiency. This is an idea that an article on small business timesavers by Verizon Connect addresses. That article ultimately suggests that business owners get into better organizing habits to save time. Some suggested habits include filing paperwork as it comes in, as well as assigning emails to their relevant folders. Both of these suggestions work well within cloud computing. Of course, you don’t need a cloud network in order to file paperwork and classify communications. But having a cloud network enables you to access the folders and applications you need at any time and from any device. This makes it easier for you to quickly organize files and communication channels. It can ultimately help you restore some order to your operations.
Can it Improve Collaborative Efforts?
Keeping employees on the same page in 2020 has proved an urgent need for many businesses in 2020. With unexpected work-from-home conditions, employees are operating from different places, on different devices, and on different networks. Cloud technology is a great way to stay connected with business-related files, applications, and other services, while eliminating the need to store this information in a shared physical space. Cloud systems are very valuable resources for collaboration. ZDNet’s piece on cloud computing boosting remote working says the growing adoption of these practices has “ensured that critical data and applications can be accessed more easily from various points of connection.” A business operating on the cloud makes its applications and files accessible to employees, no matter their working conditions. It makes it much easier for teams to operate remotely.
Can the Cloud Assist with Marketing Efforts?
Marketing may not be the very first thing on business owners’ minds if they’re struggling to stay on their feet. Business continuity, remote work conditions, and various specific adjustments will surely be more pressing. However, as business owners look ahead and plan to thrive, rather than merely survive, marketing is a more crucial issue. It’s vital when emerging from difficult times to expand the target client base. That’s where fresh marketing efforts come into play. Here, too, cloud computing can be an asset. Revel's blog post on Omnichannel Marketing from earlier this year addressed the importance of seamless collaboration on this front. As was stated in that piece, “creating an efficient strategy requires integration between different departments of your company.” Those departments can include, at minimum, people working on product, marketing, customer support, and sales — not to mention management and miscellaneous people focused on data and/or creativity. By keeping company files and applications in an accessible place online, you can ensure that marketing projects are open to all involved.
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