The cloud has revolutionized the way businesses store data, secure it, and retrieve it. While many cloud technologies are out there, what kind of innovative features do you have for specific business functions?
Some services help you use the cloud in creative ways to cut costs, optimize your workloads, and deploy applications easily. Yet, it’s important to audit your company and see what you really need in cloud services to streamline your projects.
Some essential cloud services to consider include those giving you budget options, integrating different technologies, plus providing ways to manage your workforce and metrics.
With RightScale’s annual State of the Cloud Survey, we see exponential cloud growth for all companies. This includes 85% of all enterprises now using a multi-cloud strategy.
Here are the best cloud features to consider.
Cloud Services at Zero Cost
One negative thing about using the public cloud is you continue paying through the nose as you use it. When you start to experience business growth, you’re going to want a cloud platform that goes to zero cost.
It’s one reason so many decide to own their own cloud rather than rent one. Companies like Light Crest are a good example of giving you a chance to own your own cloud system for a zero-cost option.
They offer a turn-key cloud system offering every enterprise need. Innovative features include simpler licensing, pre-optimized hardware, increased performance, plus superior security.
All of these factors help reduce cost, especially not having to deal with your own possible hardware failures.
Integrating Your Technology With the Cloud
How many developers have you had to hire in recent years to integrate different technologies and systems? In many cases, you’ll want to integrate your existing systems to the cloud service you use.
Sometimes, the cloud doesn’t integrate well with existing tech in business offices. As CIO pointed out this last year, successful cloud integration often requires web API’s in-house IT staff possibly don’t find familiar.
As cloud integration platforms like Jitterbit point out, integrating your cloud is more than just code and endpoints. It’s actually a strategic advantage that helps you to move ahead of competitors.
Using intuitive technologies, you can connect disparate technologies in mere hours rather than waiting days. Being able to do this seamlessly with adaptive integration processes help you get to work now rather than face downtime.
Using the Cloud for Workforce Management
The days when you had to use separate systems to manage your workforce aren’t necessary with proper cloud technology. Services like WorkMarket show you a good example in how you can integrate everything from recruiting to reporting.
If you hire freelancers or independent professionals, you’re going to need a method to manage how you pay them and monitor their performance. The cloud consolidates many separate functions in one portal, along with accessibility through any mobile device.
As Monster points out, the cloud is an imperative technology now in the recruiting and hiring process to complete your workforce management circle.
Using the Cloud for Tracking Data
With analytics being an essential part of seeing the big picture in business, the best way to make it accessible is through cloud platforms. One reason it’s important to place metrics there is it’s so easy to access through universal connectivity. You want everyone in your company on the same page about what’s occurring in each department.
Companies like A2BTracking.com provide cloud-based tracking data in numerous categories. Whether related to finance, property management, manufacturing, logistics, or program management, you need to track assets and ensure you’re being compliant.
Real-time cloud data is going to help you avoid taking risks and perhaps losing money from government violations.
Using the Cloud for Sales and Proposals
Delivering a slick-looking proposal and ensuring that it’s signed in time for the contract to start are critical steps for any salesperson. But because they are some of the most arduous things to do, they don’t get the proper TLC that they deserve.
But with innovation in cloud delivery, there are now tools like Proposable that let you create, track, and sign proposals with hardly any effort on your part. Which will free you and your sales team up to go out and crush your quotas.
Much success,
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