With the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, many companies sent their employees to Work from Home (WFH) to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 transmission. For most companies who have already been integrating technology in their business processes before the pandemic, the adjustments ran smoothly.
But for those who have not adapted to modern technology in storing their data, it was too challenging. They spent tons of energy, employee training, and money on IT experts just to keep their operations running smoothly. Because WFH means indirect contact and makes it impossible to access printed documents at the office, the sharing of documents must be done online as the most convenient means.
The solution to efficient file sharing is cloud storage. Most companies already use cloud storage for their data access, retrieval, sharing, and archiving. According to the report by the Hosting Tribunal, 94% of businesses already used cloud storage by 2021 and 69% of the said enterprises use hybrid cloud solutions.
What is cloud storage?
Cloud storage provides an opportunity for convenient access and sharing of documents. It is a model of computer digital data storage that is located in logical pools. They refer to these pools as “the cloud.”
Cloud storage is usually managed by a hosting company that ensures that the company data is accessed conveniently, protected from a data breach, and is organized and downloaded anywhere. Some of the most popular cloud storage providers are iCloud from Apple, Dropbox, Google, and Amazon Web Services.
There are many available cloud storage providers in the market. But before you invest in one, read on how cloud storage works and the benefits of using it for your business.
How does cloud storage work?
Cloud storage is a subscription-based service hosted by a third party for managing and storing files in the digital space. It is the digital version of filing cabinets of various documents, especially because sometimes, the filing cabinet in the office even overloads.
Using cloud storage is convenient for personal and for professional use. Compared to storing digital files on your PC, you don’t need to worry about space and storage reliability because professionals handle your storage servers.
Why should remote teams use cloud storage?
Remote teams find WFH challenging especially with the lack of direct access to fellow employees. What employers must do to ensure that challenges are mitigated is to provide appropriate technological tools for them to use.
The trend of cloud storage is gradually being adopted by various businesses because the users could upload content, store, and retrieve it anytime and anywhere as long as the user has internet access.
- Reliable storage
Data is important in managing business operations. Most companies even rely on data as the nature of their business, such as in publishing. Some data is as large as gigabytes or terabytes. If your business has recently adapted the WFH set-up, how do you transmit, share, or store this data without inconveniently locating it all the time?
This is where cloud storage works, as it is reliable and protects you from damage and even theft. The storage is also convenient because you can do backups easily. All the fears of losing or misplacing data are erased.
- Convenient storage
WFH would find cloud storage accessible because they wouldn’t need to seek those files they are gathering from one source. Ideally, employees could access various files in one cloud without playing hide and seek.
Regardless of their location, WFH employees could locate this data without asking someone else to upload and send files every time they would need them. There will be no unfortunate incidents having accidentally deleted files because anyone could download a copy again.
- Professional management and maintenance
In any technical operation, there are bound to be glitches for either human or machine error. This might risk your company or business’s data. But with cloud storage provided by a third party, professionals are handling the technical aspects.
If WFH employees have clarifications or challenges regarding the files then they could seek assistance from the service provider. So even if the employees’ IT technical knowledge is limited, they are provided with a maintenance team.
- Fosters smooth collaboration
Because of the centralized processing system of cloud storage, it is easier for WFH employees to work together because there will only be one document to write, edit, and review. In this regard, there will be no duplication. They could also edit simultaneously without waiting for the other to begin. Changes are also saved automatically.
- Cost-effective
Most service providers would charge you with the size of the storage you use and you’ll not be required to purchase any equipment or in most cases, more software tools. It is cost-effective because it is also subscription-based and could be canceled anytime.
Taking good care of your remote team
The benefits of using cloud storage go beyond storing your documents because it also takes care of your employees. Your employees would surely work smoothly with cloud storage because it is reliable, convenient, maintained, and a collaborative platform. On your side, you will also find it economical because there’s no more cost for paperwork.
The future of knowledge and information management is cloud storage. These files are safe from being lost, physically damaged, or even destroyed.
We could handle your cloud storage needs. It’s time to ditch your filing cabinet for good. Give us a call. #