3 Major Benefits of Cloud Computing in Business

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If you have to rely on remote workers as a small business, you might fear what they represent to your operations: a lack of control, security challenges, and of course, productivity issues. However, in today’s remote workplace, it is important to acknowledge that remote workers played a critical role in saving countless organizations throughout the course of the pandemic and businesses can benefit from cloud computing.  

To offer some context, let’s examine just how the shift to cloud computing made remote work not only possible, but critical to the continued success of businesses in the face of a global pandemic. 

Cloud Computing Boosts Collaboration 

The first benefit that cloud computing provides for businesses is a collaboration boost. Through the use of cloud platforms, employees can work together on projects even if they are not physically in the same location. All they need is a solid Internet connection to gain access to all the files they need to go about their work, together. 

Cloud-hosted collaboration applications also have communication tools built right into them. Users can share files and work together in real-time, boosting productivity, efficiency, and project fulfillment turnaround. This type of cloud collaboration is a breakthrough that is not disappearing, even long after the pandemic fades into memory. 

Providing Access 

Remote workers also need access to applications and data that can put a strain on their company’s computing infrastructure. Cloud computing gives businesses the ability to host applications and data storage in the cloud, then delegate access to that infrastructure as needed. With a simple login (and often two-factor authentication), employees can leverage the same applications for productivity they would as if they were physically in the office, along with the data storage needed to ensure they stay productive. Collaboration solutions also aid in this process. 

Flexibility Over IT 

Cloud platforms are incredible for remote teams, but the flexibility they afford workers also helps the business itself. Through Software-as-a-Service, or SaaS, businesses gain the ability to pay per user per app, meaning they can more easily add or drop users compared to your traditional software procurement process. Cloud applications can also be canceled at any time, giving businesses much more flexibility and control over costs, even for short-term projects. 

The cloud has changed the way businesses operate forever, so it’s time to start thinking about what it can do for your own operations. To get started, give us a call at (516) 536-5006.

4 Reasons to Get Rid of Your Landline Telephone

close up image of a landline telephone focusing on it's keypad

Your landline telephone may have once been a prominent part of your business’ communication infrastructure, but chances are that it’s fallen on hard times since you last used it. In fact, you might be surprised to find that there are quite a few arguments against using a landline for your organization’s phone system, especially with more modern tools such as VoIP solutions eclipsing it in usefulness.

Here are four reasons why you might reconsider your business’s landline telephone setup.

#1: Adding New Users is a Hassle

Chances are that your office was designed to handle a certain number of employees at any given time. As such, there are phone lines wired across your office for those employees… But what happens when your business starts to grow? Adding new phone lines might require changes to your office setup and perhaps even construction, which is something that can be both timely and costly. In other words, you want a telephone solution that doesn’t rely on messing with pre-existing infrastructure in order to be effective.

#2: It’s Not Flexible Enough for Modern Businesses

When you use a landline in your office, your employees are essentially tethered to their desks in order to answer the phone. This is the exact opposite of what needs to happen in the modern office. Employees should be able to answer their phones and stay in touch with their coworkers even while out of the office, and especially while on the road for business trips.

#3: There Are Other Costs Associated with Landlines

Many businesses and consumers overpay for their landline telephone solutions, as they are often bundled together with other services that are not necessarily used. One key example of this is cable television being bundled with phone service. You need a solution that lets you customize it to suit the specific needs of your business, not what the provider thinks you need in order to be successful.

#4: There Are Better Options Available

Why bother with landlines when other (better) technology solutions are available? Using outdated technology is a surefire way to fall behind your competitors and lose ground in the long run. One way you can ditch the landline is by implementing a Voice over IP solution that utilizes existing infrastructure (your Internet) rather than running new lines all over your office. Plus, VoIP can be used on desktops, laptops, and smartphones, making it much more flexible and, by extension, useful.

Implement VoIP Solutions Today!

AE Technology Group can help outfit your organization with the latest VoIP solutions that are designed to improve operations. These solutions are most effective when they are tailored to fit the needs of your business. To learn more about how we can help your organization thrive, reach out to us at (516) 536-5006.

Cloud-Hosted Tools Your Business Should Consider

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The cloud has provided organizations with countless ways to innovate and improve operations. Still, for those who are just now jumping on this great opportunity, you might have some questions about how to get the most out of the cloud or how even to get started. Let’s discuss some of the major benefits of cloud-hosted tools, as well as why it’s critical to consider them in the years to come.

This is especially important right now, while the world is reeling from a global pandemic. So how can cloud-hosted tools help your organization navigate this territory and optimize operations, despite the circumstances? Let’s find out.

Data Storage

Business professionals often run into a situation where important files are located on one of their devices but not on the others. Even if files are stored on an in-house network, that doesn’t necessarily help you out of the office. The answer to this dilemma is surprisingly simple: implement a cloud-based data storage system.

Cloud-based data storage allows your organization to access data on any connected device, provided the accounts have been outfitted with appropriate permissions. You can work on any file, anytime, from anywhere. When it comes time to travel or work remotely, a cloud-based data storage system means that you will never have access issues again. Since hosting on-premise can be expensive and time-consuming, we recommend hosting your data in the cloud.

Backup and Disaster Recovery

If your business is not prepared to handle data loss scenarios, your future is most certainly in jeopardy. Data stored across different devices can be difficult to keep track of, but if it’s all housed in the same location, i.e., the cloud, it becomes easier to back up and recover in the event of a disaster. While tape may have been the gold standard for a long time, it was prone to several inconsistencies that make it pale compared to the cloud, such as the possibility of user error, risk of natural disasters, and the sheer amount of physical space the tapes can take up.

An automated data backup system that does not rely on anyone setting tapes is the ideal solution, and it’s thanks to the cloud that it is possible. Backups stored in the cloud provide more redundancy than tape, so you will never have to worry about whether or not the data is available. In addition, you can know with confidence that a copy of your data exists for you to recover in the event of an emergency.

Cloud-Hosted Tools

Why limit what the cloud can do for your business to just your data and backup? Instead, imagine what you can accomplish by using the cloud in more creative ways, such as hosting your business’ email or productivity suite on it. Hosting these solutions in the cloud allows for easy access on any approved device, meaning that you are truly freed from the constraints of the office.

You can also apply this principle to hardware solutions to an extent. For example, if you have certain legacy software that only runs on a specific instance of a server operating system, you might normally require an individual server unit for that software alone. Instead of running more hardware, you can instead use a virtual machine with partitioning through the cloud, allowing you to host-specific instances of an operating system in a virtual environment, saving you the headache and frustration of maintaining yet another server unit.

Get Started with the Cloud!

Don’t wait any longer to get started with cloud-based technology. AE Technology Group can help you with the entire process, from conceptualization to implementation. To learn more, reach out to us at (516) 536-5006.