Negosentro | How Do Businesses Benefit from Cloud-Based Technology? | Only a few decades ago, cloud-based technology, applications, and software were essentially unheard of in many businesses. Workers would log on to local networks and intranets from a physical, centralized workplace (such as an office headquarters) and begin their working day. Software and applications were accessed locally, and work would be saved to computer hard drives that could be accessed only from the workplace. In recent years, cloud-based technology has become a dominant feature of many businesses, regardless of their sector of operations. This technology allows businesses to work in a more agile fashion and can support the changing working methods that have become more popular in recent years. In this article, there will be a general discussion of how businesses benefit from cloud-based technology, with an illustration of some key examples of cloud-based applications and technology.
Remote and hybrid workers
In 2020, millions of workers around the world experienced remote and hybrid models of work for the first time in their careers. This was largely due to the covid-19 pandemic and the governmental responses (movement restrictions and lockdowns) that were put into place to slow the spread of the virus and protect key healthcare systems. Remote and hybrid models of work simply could not function effectively without cloud-based services. Staff members need to access corporate systems from their home offices, and this can only be achieved with cloud technology and reliable home internet connections. Today, most business leaders fully understand why Microsoft is continuing to bet on the cloud stack. Put simply, it allows remote, agile, and hybrid models of work to thrive and gives employees the tools they need to remain productive regardless of their location.
Collaborative cloud platforms
As the demand for remote and hybrid models of work continues in the workforce, employers must utilize cloud platforms to encourage high levels of collaboration and teamwork to continue. It is estimated that one-third of the UK workforce regularly works from home as part of a fully remote or hybrid pattern of working. Team working and communication still need to remain strong with a decentralized workforce to ensure that there is no “silo working” and the duplication of tasks. Thankfully, there is a wide range of cloud-based collaborative platforms that can allow a remote workforce to complete group tasks and projects effectively. Here are some of the best cloud-based collaborative platforms for businesses in 2023.
A note on VPNs
As agile forms of working (e.g., working from multiple sites, including public locations) continue to become more prominent in modern business, there is a greater need for secure access to public internet facilities. Many workers can now complete tasks and contribute to online meetings from public locations (such as hotels and shopping centers) that boast their own Wi-Fi access. However, in these unsecured networks, there is a danger that hackers can infiltrate corporate laptops and smartphones, which can lead to serious data breaches. Thankfully, by using virtual private networks (VPNs), staff can benefit from high levels of encryption and a different IP address when they access cloud-based services from public locations. This is vitally important in ensuring that corporate data and sensitive information stays protected in these working environments.
