Coronavirus gave many businesses a big lesson in preparedness. A lot of businesses were caught off guard. Everything was running well and suddenly all business operations came to a halt. Offices were closed and remote work became the only option for many UAE firms. The big question is: are you ready for another disaster?
Although the world is slowly returning to normal, many things have changed. One thing is for certain: businesses have to be ready for anything. Continuity in the face of a crisis has to be part of business planning moving forwards. The businesses that thrived during the pandemic can provide valuable lessons moving forward. Companies with great digital features tended to do a lot better and digitalization increased during the pandemic, according to research by McKinsey. Cloud computing was one of the major technologies companies turned to. It can provide plenty of benefits in terms of business continuity. Here are some of the best ways you can ensure continuity with the cloud in the UAE.
Better Access to your Data
If your business adopts software that utilizes the cloud, you are going to enhance access to data. Cloud computing means the information, including systems and applications, are on a single virtual server. You are not restricted to a physical location like with old software. This gives the advantage that if your team is forced to work out of the office, you can still access all the same software as you would in the office. Remote work can happen from anywhere in the world, no matter what the situation is.
Cloud software also boasts faster recovery times. Because you can access the data from anywhere, you can also recover it instantly. You don’t have to worry about physical access to the data. Most cloud-based software also does automatic backups. This means you can go back in time if you need to recover data that got corrupted, you can do so much easier with cloud-based software.
Setting up Costs are Lower
Another major benefit of cloud software is the cost. Cloud computing is affordable. Small businesses can enjoy from same high-quality software as bigger businesses. When you are creating a cloud-based software environment, you don’t need to consider physical security issues. With traditional hardware, you have to ensure the space is safe. With cloud software, your data is secured by the service providers.
Furthermore, cloud software is scalable. This means you are going to pay only for what you need. You don’t have to invest in expensive HRMS fit for big business. You can start with small business infrastructure and simply grow your software along with your business.
Enhanced Security Against Cyber Threats
According to Financial Times’ reporting, cybercrime increased during the pandemic. This isn’t a big surprise. The pandemic forced people online. People weren’t able to shop in-store so they went online. As online activity increased, fraudsters started paying more attention to new ways to trick people and businesses.
The solution isn’t to go offline. In fact, cloud-based computing can provide a lot more security to the business. The key is to ensure you opt for the right service providers. You need to have proper encryption and authentication systems in place. If you do, then you benefit from the extra layers of security the cloud gives. Cloud computing can:
- Enable quicker backups
- Separate critical files from other data with stronger security
- Provide better encryption of files
- Facilitate stronger recovery plans
- Separate critical files from other data with stronger security
The benefit of the cloud is that your business can rely on professionals. For a small business, this can be vital. You often don’t have the resources or expertise to ensure the most rigorous safety protocols. But as your data is looked after by IT professionals, you can be sure it is protected with the latest technology.
Improved Alignment of Different Operations
Finally, the cloud is essential in terms of business continuity thanks to its collaborative power. Cloud software is easy to set up so that it aligns with business objectives. You can get your software to connect with itself and create venues for collaboration. Miscommunication and lack of communication are often the biggest problems during a crisis. The pandemic created communication issues for many companies that didn’t have a strong cloud infrastructure. Cloud-based software can change this. Your teams can connect no matter where they are in the world. They can also immediately access important data and have different departments communicate effortlessly. There won’t be any situations where the financial team isn’t talking with the HR department, for example. Overall, your team will enjoy a more aligned and cohesive collaboration process.
Getting Started with Cloud Computing
Now is the best time to finally start upgrading your business’ tech infrastructure. If your business hasn’t adopted cloud computing yet, the reasons to start have never been better. As the above shows, getting started can be cost-effective.
You can find plenty of great HRMS software in the UAE. These are a great starting point as these make management of your team easier. Once you start using cloud-based HRMS software, you can slowly venture into other systems. A good cloud-based solution can align with other systems and make different tasks smoother.
Finding the right cloud computing system for your business is easy. You can compare options online and most vendors allow you to trial their products. This can be a good way to get a better understanding of a product and its suitability. Make sure you look at your options and get started now. If and when the next disaster strikes, you can bu sure that your business is ready to weather the storms.
