While you are probably spending a fair amount of time thinking about your business’ security, can you confidently say the same about those that you’ve employed? Unfortunately, your workers may not put much thought into network security. This could very possibly lead to some severe issues potentially harming your business operations. Read more
In the natural course of doing business, an owner/operator will have to face many difficult situations, but none of these situations are as difficult as asking them to determine whether or not to close the doors of the business for good. Many problems could cause a business to fail, but it has to hurt the failing owner a little more when the solution for the problem was not only within his/her reach, it was affordable. Read more
Cloud migration is the practice of moving data from one place to a virtual, internet-based location, known as the cloud. This may involve moving information from physical hard drives to the cloud or even from another cloud.
It is a simple process that could have a profound effect on your business.
IT is something of an umbrella term. Your IT staff are expected to stay on top of a wide range of tasks and issues. The problem is that while IT staff are typically highly skilled, they spend most of their time dealing with mundane chores, such as system updates and routine maintenance. These tasks are important, yes, but they can prevent you getting the most out of your team.
Reputable cloud services take care of low-skilled but time-consuming tasks. Your highly skilled and often highly paid IT team, therefore, can then focus on more pressing matters or tasks that are more aligned with your long-term business goals. Not only does this shift provide IT personnel with an engaging work environment but it also means that your entire business will run more efficiently.
While the impact on IT is obvious, cloud computing benefits the rest of your business too, sometimes in surprising ways. For example, by being able to access business data and applications from anywhere in the world (with an internet connection), your staff don’t need to be in the office to work efficiently.
This is obviously hugely beneficial when on a business trip. Not only are you and your staff able to work on pressing matters when traveling, but instant access to your business resources can make negotiations and interactions with business partners and clients easier and more efficient than ever.
On top of this, the impact of bad weather, travel delays, and train strikes is minimized. You and your staff can remain productive even when circumstances beyond your control create havoc.
One of the most impactful elements of cloud migration is the ability to seek the best person for the job from anywhere on the planet. The remote access and flexibility of cloud computing mean that you are no longer beholden to the limitations of geography when looking for new talent.
This is obviously not always possible for some businesses. Many businesses require staff to be in the office at some point during a week, month, or year. And working away from the office does not always suit everyone in an organization.
Remote working is on the increase, however, and cloud technology is a major part of that shift in practice, providing new opportunities for staff and businesses alike.
Due to this type of flexibility, the size of and need for office space has been greatly reduced. Employees and employers are shifting toward working wherever suits them, not in traditional locations.
Property prices are a major outgoing for all businesses, so even a small percentage reduction in costs in this area can have an enormous impact on a business’s bottom line.
If you’re considering change, don’t do it for the sake of it. Make a change that has been shown to impact all main aspects of a business for the better. Cloud migration will allow your business to be dynamic enough to keep making changes that bring you closer than ever to achieving and exceeding your business goals.
There are countless benefits from cloud computing, not the least of which is having the ability to work from anywhere. It allows you to work when you have the inclination, rather than the availability. It also opens up the very distinct possibility of hiring remote workers in order to amass a team of incredible talent from all over the country – rather than just those near you.
Let’s take a quick look at places where you can work when you migrate to cloud computing:
How much fun is it to have to call someone from the office, have them go into your computer, and email you a file so you can work on it? No one likes it. It’s embarrassing, it’s asking co-workers to basically stop what they’re doing in order to help you – and honestly, once you’ve altered the file they sent, you’ll then have TWO different versions of the same file – one at your home, one at your office. But with cloud computing, you simply log into the system, locate the file, and make updates in real-time. It automatically saves to the cloud, and when you return to the office, your file is just how you left it. That’s productivity.
Ah, yes. The business trip – where you’re working even when you’re not working. You’re at the mercy of whatever accommodations the particular hotel in which you’re staying has to offer. But with an internet connection – you can work from anywhere and get things done just like you were in the office. Check things over, see how the departments are doing, put out any “fires” which might spring up – hey, get ahead for a change! When you finally get back home, you might just have earned yourself a long weekend to enjoy.
Okay, granted – this sounds nuts. After all, who in their right mind wants to work on vacation?? No one, that’s who. But if an emergency were to spring up, and you’re the only one who can save the day – wouldn’t it be nice to be able to do so quickly and easily?
Let’s put you on the beach. You worked your tail off for the last two weeks on a huge presentation which will be delivered this week while you’re soaking up the rays. Suddenly, your phone goes off. It’s the office. They report the presentation file you gave them is corrupt, and they can’t get it to play. And your original file – which you know works – is locked in your computer back at the office. But you have cloud computing, remember?? You hang up, log into your cloud system on your smartphone, locate the original file, and resend it to your team. They get it, and it works! You’re a hero! Now, sit back, enjoy that tropical drink, and imagine the hearty congratulations you’re going to get upon your return.
Regardless of where we may be, having the option to be able to begin handling things at work with just a few clicks – rather than having to travel somewhere – is quite appealing. How you choose to best utilize that power is up to you. We at Michell simply wish to bestow that power onto you and your team. Talk to us about how cloud computing can revolutionize your office.
Do you have a regular IT guy, or do you have a technology consultant? Sure, some people think the latter is just a prettied-up title for the former, but there is actually a significant difference. Let’s see how a regular IT guy might handle certain situations vs. how a technology consultant would approach them:
Regular IT guy:
“Yeah, I’m unfamiliar with that program. You’ll have to call their technical support number.”
MCG Technology Consultant:
“Sure, we just had a company meeting about that program last week. I’ll remote into your workstation and have a look.”
Regular IT guy:
“Your copy of KoolWerks 3 is just out of date. You’re gonna need to upgrade to KoolWerks 5. Yeah, it’s pricy, but if you wanna get back to work . . . ”
MCG Technology Consultant:
“Okay, so it looks like KoolWerks has released a patch to allow you to keep using your copy of version 3. That will let you keep working at least until they release KoolWerks 6 – which will be a much bigger update than even KoolWerks 5. Let’s get that patch set up for you.”
Regular IT guy:
*answers phone*
“. . . mmmhello? Huh? Okay, um. It’s 3am. Can this wait until tomorrow? I *was* sleeping.”
MCG Technology Consultant:
*answers phone*
“Thanks for calling Michell Consulting Group! How can I help you today?”
There really is no comparison. When you pay for IT support, you want the highest quality of support available. That’s what a technology consultant brings to the table. Give us a call, and we’ll be happy to explain to you exactly how we can help you and your company.