By USDR
Cloud computing is quickly becoming a must-have as we enter 2017. The technology made a lot of things possible for businesses these past few years, from the ability to collaborate in real-time to better information management and cloud-based business support tools. The benefits of using cloud computing as part of business operations are so essential that even small businesses are starting to move their operations to the cloud.
Despite the wide range of cloud services and available solutions, making that first step towards using cloud computing can still be difficult. That is why in this part, we are going to answer some of the challenges that your business may come across when moving to the cloud.
The Right Cloud Service
The first thing to keep in mind about cloud computing for business is that not everything has to be stored in the cloud. There are, however, certain business functions that can truly benefit from the features and advantages of using cloud services.
Sales, for instance, should be one of the first parts of the business that utilize cloud computing. Solutions such as SalesForce, run entirely in the cloud, allow sales officers to do so much more on the field. They can get the necessary information, send client requests and get feedbacks from decision makers, and even generate custom quotes or invoices on the fly.
The same can be said for marketing. A lot cloud services are now offering integrated marketing tools, capable of handling anything from planning to analytics. These tools are handy to have, especially with the market being so competitive. You no longer have to juggle separate tools just to get a better insight on the market.
Internal Preparedness
Moving business operations to the cloud is something that needs to be done with care. Employees and team members also need to be trained so that they are more prepared for the shift. There will be some changes in day-to-day workflow as you start moving different parts of the operations to the cloud.
Universities are responding to the increasing demand for information system specialists too. the Master of Science in Computer Information Systems is one of the most sought after degrees today. Universities such as Boston University are training more students through their distance learning programs and online MSCIS courses.
Focus on Integration
The last thing you want is to have different parts of your business on different cloud services. 2017 is about integration and the demand for integrated cloud services is higher than ever. In fact, a lot of solution providers are starting to open their APIs to allow better integration of multiple systems.
Integration is something that can be done with careful planning. Before you start handpicking the best solutions to use, make sure you formulate an IT roadmap for your business. Understand the steps you need to take, plan the implementation process in stages and work your way towards taking advantage of cloud computing for the growth of your business.
By keeping these tips in mind, cloud computing and its implementation will not be complicated at all. Your business can start benefiting from having cloud-supported operations and be that much more competitive on the market.