Cloud computing is without a doubt having the most profound impact on today’s business world. It has driven many cost and resource efficiencies, as well as enabled organizations to rapidly make sense of large amounts of data
With cloud technology, information is able to move across different systems rapidly, allowing users virtual platforms with flexibility and access to manage workloads.
Cloud computing enables ease of data collection and analysis, creating greater collaboration between departments. It also increases resources, and as a result, changes the way business leaders manage.
What is cloud computing?
Cloud computing is the delivery of information technology resources delivered over the internet. Cloud resources include data storage, databases, and computing power, enabling businesses to increase their resources and work faster.
Cloud environments are either public, private or a hybrid of both. Public cloud computing platforms, such as Amazon Web Services, allow businesses to choose the cloud services they wish to use and only pay for those. This can be facilitated by consulting with a managed service provider who can help businesses find the right solution for their specific needs.
Private clouds are dedicated to a single end user, and hybrid cloud is a combination of both public and private clouds. A multicloud environment is when an organization utilizes a combination of clouds, e.g. two or more public clouds, or two or more private clouds.
These cloud environments all enable businesses to work more efficiently, focusing on developing products and services that engage more customers. Most businesses are utilizing some form of cloud computing, with reports showing 91% of businesses using public cloud and 72% using a private one. Many companies opt for both options – with 69% utilizing a hybrid cloud solution.
How does cloud computing impact management?
There are many ways cloud computing benefits business overall, but it also has a real impact on how management will be changed, by allowing business leaders to do things differently, and change how they lead into the future.
Organizing and planningBefore cloud computing, different departments under one organization were disparate and siloed, which caused problems if tools and processes weren’t compatible. Cloud environments allow everything to work under one holistic system, with enterprise resource planning software enabling standardization, so data can flow seamlessly across the organization. Everything is centralized in the cloud, along with software programs and operating systems, and even the entire IT infrastructure. This gives department heads a whole organizational view while planning strategies and allows for greater collaboration. |
LeadershipOver time, as organizations grow, teams and departments tend to come up with specific goals that aren’t in touch with the rest of the business. This can make it difficult for business leaders within the organization to unify different teams under a common cause or value. Cloud-based platforms such as Microsoft Teams allow collaboration and communication channels to be woven across departments, to ensure company goals, news and values are embedded, and set up information and inspiration sources for all employees. |
InsightsCloud computing increases visibility by consolidating data processes, so businesses are able to gain operational insights more rapidly. Analytics can reveal where productivity is being impeded, or predict upcoming trends, with the opportunities and issues that accompany them. Data collection of user experience and employee workflows increases the ability of managers to gain deeper insight and implement new business processes or services well before problems or competition arrive. If you’ve ever wondered why your favorite apps or software are consistently updated so quickly, it is thanks to this sort of cloud computing that allows for proactive insight. |
EfficiencyBusiness management is responsible for ensuring employees have access to the resources they need to complete projects or undertake the purpose of their role. Pivoting the company into a new market or direction can have expensive consequences when it comes to scaling up or down in-house IT infrastructure or data centers. Cloud computing offers flexibility and cost efficiencies, so anticipated workflow shifts or enabling more resources to one department isn’t an issue. As your business grows or projects are added, adding more resources is inexpensive and simple. If you need more data storage, computing resources allocations, or other cloud-based features, it’s as simple as contacting your provider or managed service provider to request. |
Business continuityThe aim for business leaders is to grow and expand into new markets, gain more customers, and increase profits. These goals are hard to achieve when your systems are disrupted, IT staff are focused on upgrading legacy hardware, and security breaches are becoming an issue. Whether your business experiences power failure, natural disasters, or another crisis, having data stored in the cloud ensures it is protected and backed up in a secure location. This ensures disruption is minimal, and access to data is quickly restored without loss, allowing your business to continue as usual, with minimal downtime and loss of productivity. |
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Is cloud computing right for your business?
Cloud computing has the power to transform the way your business is run, from making it easier for you to make decisions and streamline processes, to making more customers happy. Aside from being a cost-effective option, cloud computing is changing management to help business leaders securely organize, plan and lead their teams and operations.
Get in touch with the cloud experts at BCS365 to find out how your business can leverage the cloud to improve your bottom line.