Advantages of Cloud Software

1. Cost Savings
2. Loss prevention
3. Security
4. Mobility
5. Insight
6. Increased Collaboration
7. Quality Control
8. Disaster Recovery
9. Automatic Updates
10. Competitive Edge

Cost Savings

If you are worried about the price tag that would come with making the switch to cloud computing, you aren't alone. 20% of organizations are concerned about the initial cost of implementing a cloud-based server. But those who are attempting to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of using the cloud need to consider more factors than just the initial price they need to consider ROI.

Once you're on the cloud, easy access to your union’s data will save time and money in project start-ups. And, for those who are worried that they'll end up paying for features that they neither need nor want, most cloud-computing services are pay as you go. This means that if you don't take advantage of what the cloud has to offer, then at least you won't have to be dropping money on it.

Loss Prevention

If your organization isn't investing in a cloud-computing solution, then all of your valuable data is inseparably tied to the office computers it resides in. This may not seem like a problem, but the reality is that if your local hardware experiences a problem, you might end up permanently losing your data. This is a more common problem than you might realize computers can malfunction for many reasons, from viral infections to age-related hardware deterioration, to simple user error.

Security

RapidScale claims that 94% of businesses saw an improvement in security after switching to the cloud, and 91% said the cloud makes it easier to meet government compliance requirements.

When dealing with members' sensitive data, it is crucial to be diligent when it comes to cyber security. Cloud-based systems give you the protection of multinational organizations like Microsoft and the flexibility of a small company. It really is the best of both worlds.

Mobility

Cloud computing allows mobile access to corporate data via smartphones and devices, which, considering over 2.6 billion smartphones are being used globally today, is a great way to ensure that no one is ever left out of the loop.

Staff with busy schedules, or who live a long way away from the office, can use this feature to keep instantly up to date with members and co-workers.

Insight

As we move ever further into the digital age, it's becoming clearer and clearer that the old adage “knowledge is power” has taken on the more modern and accurate form: “Data is money.”

Hidden within the millions of bits of data that surround your customer transactions and business process are nuggets of invaluable, actionable information just waiting to be identified and acted upon. Of course, sifting through that data to find these kernels can be very difficult unless you have access to the right cloud-computing solution.
Increased Collaboration:

Cloud computing makes collaboration a simple process. Team members can view and share information easily and securely across a cloud-based platform and have instant access to everything they need when dealing with a specific member.

Quality Control

There are few things as detrimental to the success of a union as poor quality and inconsistent reporting. In a cloud-based system, all documents are stored in one place and in a single format. With everyone accessing the same information, you can maintain consistency in data, avoid human error, and have a clear record of any revisions or updates. Conversely, managing information in silos can lead to employees accidentally saving different versions of documents, which leads to confusion and diluted data.

Disaster Recovery

While there may be no way for you to prevent or even anticipate the disasters that could potentially harm your organization, there is something you can do to help speed your recovery. Cloud-based services provide quick data recovery for all kinds of emergency scenarios, from natural disasters to power outages.

While 20% of cloud users claim disaster recovery in four hours or less, only 9% of non-cloud users could claim the same.

In a recent survey, 43% of IT executives said they plan to invest in or improve cloud-based disaster recovery solutions.

Automatic Software Updates

those who have a lot to get done know that there isn't anything more irritating than having to wait for system updates to be installed or updated. Cloud-based applications automatically refresh and update themselves, instead of forcing an IT department to perform a manual organization-wide update. This saves valuable IT staff time and money spent on outside IT consultation.

Competitive Edge

While cloud computing is increasing in popularity, there are still those who prefer to keep everything local. That's their choice but doing so places them at a distinct disadvantage when competing with those who have the benefits of the cloud at their fingertips.

If you implement a cloud-based solution before your competitors, you'll be further along the learning curve by the time they catch up. A recent Verizon study showed that 77% of businesses feel cloud technology gives them a competitive advantage, and 16% believe this advantage is significant.