As public cloud services like Office 365 become increasingly popular and more organisations migrate to cloud-based software applications, many business owners can be left unsure about which business activities can benefit the most from moving to the cloud.
For companies considering their first cloud migration, here is a list of six business activities that can benefit from being moved to the cloud.
1. Email
While there are plenty of non-cloud email server options to choose from, they can often require a lot of maintenance and lack security. A lack of sufficient email security measures can result in data theft, unauthorised access to sensitive information, and malware attacks.
With a cloud-based email server, these issues, among many others, will be handled by the provider and backed by service level guarantees. Opting for cloud-based email means you pay for the service without worrying about hardware requirements, software updates or security risks.
2. File storage
Storing company files in the cloud is a great way to give employees more mobility and flexibility. Your team can access the information that they need (and have permission to view) from almost any internet-enabled device. This means access to files without compromising security, since providers include things like encryption and Multi-Factor Authentication as part of the monthly service fee.
There are many cloud storage applications available, so it's important to scope a solution that not only meets the needs of your business but prioritises security measures.
3. Document creation and collaboration
It’s easy to confuse apps like Office 365 and Google Docs with only cloud file storage, but they hold many more features for your business. What sets these applications apart from simple file storage is their ability to provide real time collaboration feature for end users. Real time collaboration in its simplest form allows multiple users to create, edit, and comment on a single document simultaneously, seeing mirror images on their screens even if they’re working from different locations around the world.
This allows for higher levels of productivity to be achieved with faster document turnaround times and fewer separate versions of files.
4. Server hosting
Whether your business requires a single, low-scale server or several high-powered ones, it’s becoming harder to justify maintaining these at your physical location. Serverless computing is one way to reduce management burdens brought about by the need to configure several servers. Not only does server hosting increase performance, scalability and infrastructure reliability, but it also offers a higher level of security with far greater control over the physical environment.
5. Backup and recovery
The basis of cloud technology is that you have total access to hardware and software that’s located far from your office. That makes things like cloud file storage and server hosting perfect for recovering from a disaster. If a natural disaster or cyberattack renders your office inoperable, businesses can commence a disaster recovery plan by logging into their cloud platform from somewhere else.
Talk to our team about our Cloud offerings
Our Business Technology Managers (BTMs) are ready to engage with you cloud services and the associated security risks. For more information or assistance, give us a call on 1300 307 907.
