New developments are constantly emerging in the area of ​​Technology and Information (IT), some of which are unable to meet market needs and become temporary, while others have had a positive impact on companies and are here to stay, such as cloud technology .

This innovation brings a large number of advantages to the business that improve productivity , efficiency and communication throughout the company.

Check out this article to find out what this technology consists of, how it works, what its 5 main benefits are, how to implement it and the importance of the supplier company for success!

What does cloud technology mean and how does it work?

Also known as “Cloud” technology , it refers to the use of computing services, such as files, programs and resources from data that are stored on a server connected to the internet.

This is a technology widely used today, and you can use it without knowing how to update your data on a social network, access your bank balance via your smartphone, send a file to an online storage platform like Google Drive, etc.

It is important to know that there are two models of cloud technology services:

• platform as a service (PaaS): there may be a digital surroundings to manipulate programs and reveal the organisation’s device;
• Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): In addition to the virtual environment of systems and software, storage and computing are provided remotely by the company.

More and more organizations are offering this service, and it is also being used more by companies to better control their systems.

What are the benefits from it?

If cloud technology is widely used, what are the most common benefits it can provide to its users? Continue reading and learn more about each of them!

1) Greater security

A backup is an exceptionally important tool for companies to protect their data and prevent losses due to damage to their systems. Some of the eventualities that can lead to loss of information are:

• natural disasters such as floods or landslides;
• internal accidents;
• theft or robbery of equipment;
• between others.

All of these issues can cause a company to lose its confidential and strategic data. However, with cloud computing, organizations can maximize the protection of their information, since the information and systems will be stored in another company’s services.

In addition, service providers also use security certificates and encryption, which is a technology that makes information unreadable to malicious third parties.

2) Cost reduction

The use of management platforms in itself significantly reduces companies’ costs , as it minimizes the use of paper, pens, inks, printers, copies, cabinets, etc.

By implementing cloud technology in your business, costs are further reduced by the fact that the business rents the hardware (physical computer parts) needed to use the system and store data. Savings include:

• less need for space in the company;
• reduction in expenses with hardware installation and maintenance;
• lower energy consumption;
• less need for computer purchases and upgrades.

All of these financial constraints make a big difference at the end of each month, making cloud computing a high- return investment .

3) Integration of departments

When there are multiple collaborators working on a single document, there is a greater risk of confusion, errors, duplicated work, etc. This is especially true when files are shared via email between teams.

With cloud computing, all files are concentrated in a single environment, which gives employees more visibility, as they will know which files are being worked on by each person. This advantage benefits the workflow and team performance.

4) Accessibility and Mobility

Information stored in the cloud is available for access 24 hours a day, so if urgent work needs to be done, this will not be a problem with the implementation of the technology.

Furthermore, a good system is portable and mobile, meaning it can be accessed from different devices, from desktop computers to mobile devices (such as smartphones, notebooks and tablets), as long as you have an internet connection.

This way, there is no need to go to a physical terminal to access them, managers and employees can access data at work, at home, in bank queues, while traveling and other places.

5) Scalability

One exceptionally important benefit that cannot be ignored is the scalability of the technology. This advantage means that it will be easier for the company to expand the supply of resources and meet a large demand.

As the company uses servers from the technology provider, it will not need to purchase a large number of computers and servers to meet demand, nor will it need to spend money on installing the machines.

Managers simply need to contact the supplier and inform them of the need for more space or processing power.

How does the cloud technology deployment process work?

It is not enough to acquire software that uses cloud technology, the company must be prepared to use it, only then will all the benefits above be enjoyed.

The first step to implementing the technology is to promote a culture of innovation in the company . Hold meetings and explain how the cloud works and what its advantages are, so that employees feel motivated to use the new technology. It is important to communicate the project to all departments, including:

• the new usage and access policies;
• new rules of collaboration;
• how the cloud contributes to employees’ routine;
• strategic positioning that the company wishes to achieve.

Subsequently, the company needs to identify a technology supplier capable of meeting its needs, a process that will be explained in the next topic.

After choosing a vendor, managers should create schedules for staff training and cloud software implementation. Establish plans and goals to be met, as well as apply performance indicators (KPIs) to measure results.

It is important that the change is not abrupt but gradual, so introduce the change in one sector of the company and then expand the technology to the remaining teams.

How important is the supplier company for the success of the investment?

Each company has specific needs that need to be met, so it is important to look for a supplier capable of meeting them. Evaluate the market options and choose the platform with good experience, as well as one that offers the widest range of utilities. To do this, study the following business characteristics:

• presentation of  success stories ;
• provision of  training or distance learning ( EAD ) programs to train your employees;
• Influence in the market and having  connections and partnerships ;
• presentation of  humanized and personalized service ;
• that offers a wide range of cloud solutions for your company, such as accounting, finance, people and transportation.

From this content, you can see how cloud technology provides several advantages to the business, reducing costs, increasing productivity, bringing greater customer satisfaction and allowing the company to develop more healthily! This also demonstrates how it can be a competitive advantage over your competitors who have not yet updated their business model to work with this tool.