This article is adapted from Forbes.
Did you know that cloud computing has become wildly popular in the past decade? You didn’t? Well, it has. This is because cloud computing offers an array of benefits for businesses—especially ones that require a vast amount of computer system resources!
But what is cloud computing exactly you may ask? Cloud computing services provide an affordable and secure way to store data and access it on demand so you're not losing money purchasing, storing and maintaining your own servers and data centers.
Yet, while the benefits of cloud computing are clear, the problem is that there are a plethora of IT cloud services available today—and countless of ways to implement them—so I understand, getting started can sometimes be overwhelming especially if this is something new to your business.
Well, here are 8 tips for business owners on how to make cloud computing work for your business, especially if it is for the first time:
#1: Implement Cloud Computing Slowly
First thing first, do not rush and make rash decisions. Always start slow. It's a good idea to implement cloud computing into your business model slowly. If you move too fast, there's a chance you could overwhelm yourself and your team members. (Remember, slow and steady wins the race!)
So, instead of making a bunch of drastic changes, think about one area of your business that could be improved with cloud computing. Implement your strategy and make adjustments over time. When you're ready, use the cloud for another aspect of your business that could benefit from the features and functionality of these helpful tools.
#2: Look For Complementary Services And Piecemeal Implementation
New streaming technology allows for work and productivity apps to be accessed directly from a computer without having them pre-installed, ensuring work can be done swiftly.
For those business owners looking to increase the productivity of their employees, integrated cloud solutions from services like Microsoft Azure or Egnyte allow for shared storage, software solutions and other benefits all under a single umbrella, reducing costs and enabling workspaces to be more efficient and better managed.
Managers should consider services that provide complementary services and allow for piecemeal implementation, allowing them to expand as needed and not incur unnecessary costs, giving scalability and productivity at the best value.
#3: Have Tech Support On Hand For Complications
Have tech support on hand for complicated issues to avoid stress. The best is to have managed IT support so that you can be assured that your systems are constantly being monitored and regularly updated, so that you can peacefully attend to more important business matters.
#4: Implement Guidelines For Security Or Privacy Issues
When transitioning to the cloud for the first time, make sure not to neglect security and privacy issues. The proper tools and framework can help prevent most data breaches, but it will also likely be necessary to implement new guidelines for employees so that they know how to handle business files and data safely. This is especially true if your business is also transitioning to a remote or hybrid workforce.
#5: Consider Cloud Architecture
Determine what type of cloud you'll use for your business. Once you define what type of cloud (public, private or hybrid), then decide what type of applications or data you'll store in there.
To do this, think about what type of data you and your team use the most. The ultimate goal for using clouds is to make communication easier between team members, so try to get feedback from department heads or other managers when deciding the architecture of your cloud.
And if this sounds too complicated and you are unsure of how to proceed, contact your managed service provider to let them know of your needs so that they can give you their best recommendation moving forward.
#6: Educate Yourself First
Here’s the thing. You can’t teach someone else if you yourself are unsure about it in the first place. So, take the time to learn how to make it effective.
Remember, you don't have to implement cloud computing tomorrow. Take a couple of short courses to learn about it first. Find out what it can do for your business and how it can make everything more productive. It won't do you any good if you are spending hours trying to resolve a cloud computing problem because something was done incorrectly or ineffectively. That's time wasted.
#7: Set Limits For How Much You Plan On Spending
Investing in cloud computing will just add to your business cost. So, when implementing cloud computing, be careful to set a limit for how much you plan on spending. There are cloud platforms that will charge you based on your usage. If you're not watchful, you'll end up using more features than you realize and get surprised with a larger bill than you expect.
Set a limit for how much data you want to use and how much you plan on spending every month. Using cloud computing platforms can be very challenging for someone new to it. So make sure that you understand how to leverage it or be willing to hire someone to help you use it.
#8: Have A Plan For Organization
The key is this – organisation, orgnisation, organisation.
Make sure you have a plan in place to accurately name, organize and locate your files. Carefully designate who can upload files and to what servers they have permissions for.
While cloud computing can be much more efficient, letting your online realm devolve into chaos will deeply cut into that efficiency. By simply monitoring and controlling access to these digital spaces, you will have a cleaner, easier-to-work-in space and will be able to better avoid several security and liability issues.
Comments