Bringing your company to the cloud

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The word "cloud" originated from the Old English word "clud," because of the way a cloud can sometimes resemble a pile of rocks.  Perhaps this is how some feel about the term cloud computing. But does moving your business computing to the cloud involve more than merely stockpiling your data in one spot on the internet?

Utilizing the cloud is less about weighing you down and more about having data such as files, presentations, calendars and contacts float along with you, from your laptop to your smartphone to your iPad.

Some compare the evolution of cloud computing to other public utilities.  In the same way we no longer need to store our own water or fuel for the winter, we no longer need to use our computers as an electronic storage device.  Instead, we can save our data online in a centralized place, ready to use when and how we need it.

While you may not be using the cloud at your organization yet, chances are that you use it in your personal life. If you use an online service to pay your bills, store your contacts, or share your photos, you are already a cloud dweller. It's the same concept, only as it applies to the often complex aggregation of your business data.

So, what aspects of the cloud may be most valuable to the corporate world?

Collaboration
Anyone from potential clients to key members of your team can view up to the minute reports on the cloud.  With custom settings and permissions, they can edit reports and share critical data as changes occur.   No cross platform worries; as long as they have an internet ready device, your user can access what you need them to.  With your whole team in the loop, resourcing, sales and management tasks are streamlined.

Cost
Cloud computing can cut down on overhead, most obviously IT spending - eliminating the need for many hardware and software purchases, as well as other operational expenses.  But the true value may show itself primarily in the efficiency and agility it can bring your teams.

Security
Even if your computer meets an untimely death, your data still lives on.  In essence, it is like having one enormous super-computer at your beck and call.   You do want to be sure, however, that you have a compliance structure in place so your business data is protected from any outside eyes.

When migrating data to the cloud, it is best to start slowly and in phases, before fully rolling out to your company. There are quite a few cloud computing systems to choose from that can impact your business in a variety of ways.  It may not be a matter of which one is the best overall but which one is best for your specific needs.  What cloud computing system options are most important to your company? Storage capacity?  Or is the ability to sync more critical?

If you are already using the cloud at your organization, which systems have been working for you?