If you are like the vast majority of businesses in Canada, then 2020 has probably seen your organization transition to a work-from-home model in which your workforce is largely operating remotely.
This way of working is becoming the norm for many organizations, and is set to continue long into the future. In fact, a study from Regus Canada found that nearly half (47 percent) of Canadian employees work from outside one of their employer’s main offices for at least half the week.
To ensure your remote employees are productive when working from home, it’s important that you supply them with the technologies they need to succeed. Here’s why cloud computing will power your remote team.
What is cloud computing?
Cloud computing refers to the range of computer system resources that are accessed by users through the internet (“the cloud”).
As opposed to being stored locally on physical hardware, cloud-based software stores your data on remote servers - saving space on your company’s computer systems and allowing them to work more efficiently. Best of all, cloud providers are entirely responsible for managing errors and resolving downtime.
Users typically pay through monthly subscription-based and cost-effective models, allowing your business to lower day-to-day costs, improve operational efficiencies (since there’s no need to manage physical software or hardware) and scale seamlessly.
How does cloud computing benefit your remote workforce?
You probably have a large number of physical hardware and software that your employees rely on to complete their jobs, but accessing, managing and fixing issues on local hardware becomes a nightmare for IT teams when employees are based at home.
That’s not even taking into account the amount of wasted time employees spend trying to get their hardware/software working, or their computer to speed up.
By implementing cloud computing into your IT strategy, however, you can remove the inefficiencies of physical hardware and enjoy a number of benefits, such as:
1 - Greater mobility and flexibility
Cloud software allows your employees to access the software, documents and tools they need to do their job, no matter where in the world they are. Whether they are working from home, working at a coffee shop, visiting a client’s office or on a business trip, your employees will be able to access their work on any device that has an internet connection.
Cloud systems are self-service and on-demand, meaning your remote employees can access exactly what they need in a few clicks of their mouse. Through the use of cloud computing, you can build a highly flexible and mobile workforce.
2 - Boosts your disaster recovery plan
Data loss is a huge concern for businesses. In fact, your organization has probably suffered from a local hardware crash, or a worker error, where you lost important information. Around 31 percent of PC users have lost all of their files due to events beyond their control, according to the Boston Computing Network, and 60 percent of companies that lose their data will shut down within six months.
That’s why all businesses should create an effective disaster recovery plan. Cloud computing can be a great part of that plan. Since data is stored at a remote data center when you use cloud computing rather than local hardware, data loss from faulty equipment or theft is minimal.
3 - Better collaboration and sharing
When working remotely it can be easy for employees to fall into silos and not connect with each other. This can have a negative impact on the productivity of your company’s employees and the quality of the work that they produce.
Cloud solutions are a great way to facilitate collaboration between your team. When all documents are saved to the cloud, employees can access, edit and share documents with each other in real-time. This allows for increased collaboration on projects and encourages employees to solve issues creatively as a team.
4 - Complete scalability for growing businesses
Small and medium-sized companies are constantly growing. Investing in hardware and software for new employees is not only expensive, but it can also impact your future cash flow if these technologies become outdated or not needed.
Cloud computing allows you to accommodate large increases (or declines) in your remote workforce very quickly. Since cloud models use a pay-as-you-go pricing model that can be changed on demand, new employees can be granted access to information and technologies as and when needed.
5 - Improved cybersecurity
While your company should still have its own security measures, cloud providers actually have their own security practices in place to protect the data that you have stored on the cloud. Cloud providers use passwords, two-factor authentication, file encryption and a wide range of security procedures to protect your data at no extra cost.
Not only that, but cloud providers are constantly updating their security measures to ensure they aren’t breached by new hacking methods and technologies. Cloud providers are huge companies and they invest large sums of money into keeping your data secure.
Are you looking for more information on how your business can use cloud-based technologies to bolster your remote workforce? Contact OT Group today. We are experts in integrating cloud computing and other IT solutions into your company's overall IT strategy.
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