Cloud-Computing and Your Company: Is it Right for You?

When you’re working with technology, it seems that the weather is always “cloudy.” We don’t mean gloomy—we mean that, these days, everyone in IT is talking about the cloud, how you can be in it and what you can do with it.

Microsoft Dynamics ERP offers a host of cloud-based solutions, including both on-premises and partner-hosted. And, while the cloud may not be for everyone, The Guardian has outlined six reasons why businesses have switched to the cloud. As more and more people are becoming tech-savvy and it is more important for businesses to become more transparent with information, companies are making the transition to cloud-based computing.

Here are The Guardian’s six reasons:

1. Reduced costs: There is less of a need for full-time IT services and a more of a need for outsourced cloud vendors. Also, since the cloud is online, there is no need to own physical and expensive hardware.
2. Flexibility and scalability: No one likes to pay for something that they’re not going to use. With cloud-based computing, subscribers can choose how much they want to spend and how much space they need. The lack of hardware also makes it easy for subscribers to switch the amount of space they would like to use as their needs change. The cloud can be scaled for both the largest and smallest of companies.
3. Mobility and agility: We are in the midst of the mobile revolution as more and more people are using smartphones, tablets and other portable devices. The cloud makes it simple to utilize these devices to their fullest potential by making files and documents available on mobile devices anytime from anywhere.
4. Easier upgrades: Keeping up with the latest software and hardware updates can be a real hassle, but on the cloud you’re off the hook. Cloud-computing providers are the ones who keep up-to-date on the latest updates and make them available to subscribers.
5. Business continuity: It only takes one natural disaster to wipe out a company and all of its technology. The cloud, however, is not a piece of physical hardware and is virtually indestructible. So, even in the case of fire, flood, earthquake or tornado, it is possible for a business to continue to function as usual if they have access to company tools over the internet.
6. IT security: Cloud-computing providers invest a lot of money to make sure that their servers are secure, updated and trustworthy for their users. Even if you’re a small company that can’t afford a large part of your budget to be put toward IT security, you can still rest assured that cloud-computing providers are working hard to maintain a good reputation by keeping their servers are safe.

MetaViewer, a document management solution that fully integrates with Microsoft Dynamics ERP, is an example of a product available fully online via the cloud. For a monthly fee, you can make sure that your data is stored securely and is available 24/7 from any device, anywhere. Flexibility with products like this makes it easy for companies to customize the amount of storage they need and the price that fits their budget.

What are some of the reasons why your company has transitioned to the cloud?

Nick Sprau is vice president of marketing and sales for Metafile Information Systems Inc., an independent provider of paperless document management applications serving middle-market and large businesses. For more information, visit www.metaviewer.com.

by MetaViewer, Paperless ERP for Microsoft Dynamics