Now more than ever, organizations are implementing cloud services that are designed to streamline enterprise workflows. While businesses are rushing to implement SaaS solutions, many do so without the help of a trusted partner. As a result, enterprises are unable to validate the security measures being used to protect data that is stored within the cloud.
Organizations are beginning to rely on cloud services for their day to day business processes. CIOs, IT Managers and decision makers are quickly implementing cloud services to achieve core business goals more rapidly. With the emergence of cloud based services, many enterprises have discovered new methods of achieving their organization’s goals.
Here’s a few ways that businesses have streamlined their internal processes using cloud computing.
HR & Payroll
If you fire up your favorite search engine and look for “Cloud based HR software,” you’re likely to find a wealth of SaaS options available at your disposal. Many businesses are using cloud based HR & Payroll software from vendors such as ADP, Zenefits and others.
When you compare the “Pen and paper” method of performing HR & Payroll tasks, you’ll understand that the cloud is a more practical method of performing these critical business functions. When your enterprise implements a SaaS HR solution, both administrative staff and end users can login to the cloud in order to perform sophisticated tasks such as:
- Updating their Mailing Address
- Change their Direct Deposit Amounts
- Request Vacation Time
- Perform Employee Reviews
This shortlist represents a fraction of what HR departments used to do with pen and paper. Using cloud based apps, your business can initiate and execute administrative tasks immediately. This relieves your HR staff from having to sift through a mountain of paperwork while the app simultaneously simplifies the process for the end user.
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
Organizations that wish to implement an enterprise-wide Line of Business (LOB) app are commonly utilizing SaaS ERP solutions. Larger enterprises will typically adopt ERP solutions created by SalesForce, SAP or Oracle.
ERP systems can cover every facet of your business including; product development, sales leads and R&D. Implementing an ERP solution helps enterprises stay on the same page as each department within your business is able to see the full lifecycle of a project.
Some ERP solutions are geared towards large enterprises while other ERP solutions were built specifically for small businesses that focus on lead generation and sales. An ERP solution is critical for any growing business.
As your business begins to attract more customers, employees and vendors, an ERP system will practically pay for itself as it helps keep your entire enterprise focused on the tasks at hand. Conversely, ERP solutions also provide an audit trail, so that business administrators can see who is doing what within their organizations.
Cloud File Storage
Businesses are turning to private cloud storage solutions because many providers offer compliance and speed. Organizations that implement solutions such as Office 365, Box and Google Docs have the ability to instantly collaborate upon diverse types of media that is essential for your organization.
Commonly, organizations will collaborate on spreadsheets, text documents, video presentations and so on. The cloud provides teams with the ability to rapidly generate media and share it with others. Remember the old way of generating a document and getting it approved by your boss?
With cloud, your organization can instantly create media on the fly while a manager can login to the portal to see the team’s progress in real time. The process of creating, editing and distributing media has been streamlined with the introduction of secure cloud file storage services.
Securing Your Cloud Based Workflows
While organizations can greatly benefit from the increased workflows that SaaS apps provide, one glaring downside to cloud is that enterprises will routinely store sensitive or private data in the cloud. How can you know that your cloud based data is secure?
Better yet, how can you be sure that your data isn’t inadvertently shared with an unauthorized party?
Every cloud provider will sell you on their high levels of security, but the security of the app itself may not be the biggest cause for concern. Every organization that stores sensitive data in the cloud must put safeguards in place to ensure this information doesn’t wind up in the wrong hands. For example, what if a rouge employee sends a link to sensitive data to their Gmail account. How would your organization know?
Compiling an IT staff that is knowledgeable and qualified to work on cloud infrastructure is becoming a difficult task. Many larger enterprises have designated a CISO, which is an acronym for Chief Information Security Officer. Under the CISO, your security staff will be tasked with implementing safe guards that help bolster the security of the data you store in cloud apps.
Many smaller organizations do not have the ability to appoint a CISO; therefore, data that lives in the cloud could be at risk. In this case, organizations that need to ensure the security of their cloud hosted data must bring on a trusted partner to help manage and secure the data that resides in your cloud hosted apps.
Schedule A Consultation With Wolf For Cloud Computing Services
If your business needs the ability to rapidly deploy infrastructure or the ability to work from anywhere, using public, private, or hybrid cloud services may prove to be a profitable transformation for the IT systems that shape your business.
To see how you can benefit from cloud computing services, give us a call at (833) 482-6435 or schedule a consultation online by clicking the banner below. We can help you make the best choice for your business!
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