What Role Will the Cloud Play in This New World?

What Role Will the Cloud Play in This New World?

The internet has become more valuable than ever as social distancing takes place around the world. So what role can we expect the cloud to play going forward?

Facebook has seen incredible surges in usage over the past few months. Netflix has gained double the expected new subscribers over the past quarter. We’re seeing virtually all states following shelter-in-place and social distancing requirements in an effort to minimize the spread of the coronavirus. But as we return to some degree of normalcy, what role does the internet, and more specifically, the cloud play in the future? We know this isn’t the first disruption businesses have seen – and it won’t be the last. But it’s been a much more widespread disruption than many businesses were prepared to handle.

If there’s one thing we’re sure of, it’s this… The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of business contingency, and in particular, remote work capabilities. Going forward, we believe the cloud will be integral in this new world. This is evident in the sudden uptick in demand and interest that many cloud providers have reported. So what does this mean for businesses that haven’t moved to the cloud yet?

For those that haven’t moved to the cloud yet, a migration will be necessary to achieve greater agility, resiliency, and a competitive edge going forward…

In this new world, some will be in a rush to get back into the office while others will prefer to continue working remotely. However, our new normal will likely be a combination of the two. Why? It all comes down to a few factors:

• Fear and uncertainty surrounding going back into the office
• Realizations of greater productivity resulting from remote work
• Efforts to keep operational costs as low as possible in an economic downturn

Gartner surveyed 317 CFOs to find out what organizations are doing to manage cash during and after the coronavirus pandemic. In their findings, 74% of CFOs plan on shifting some employees to remote work permanently after shutdowns are lifted. The coronavirus pandemic has opened our eyes to the many benefits of cloud computing, including but not limited to:

• Greater agility to keep up with evolving demands
• More resiliency against business disruptions of all types
• Fewer costs associated with purchasing and maintaining technology

The cloud helps organizations emerge from the current situation stronger, more agile, and more prepared for the uncertain future. The cloud offers the ability to:

• Access data, applications, and systems from any device or location as needed to continue working despite disruptions.
• Maintain copies of backups for quick and easy recovery in the event of some sort of loss.
• Protect sensitive information with built-in security features, including multi-factor authentication, encryption, and more.
• Avoid the high cost associated with purchasing, maintaining, and upgrading technology to keep up with advancements.

What cloud solutions make the most sense for businesses looking to achieve the many benefits of cloud computing?

Those looking to achieve the many benefits of migrating to the cloud should consider the following cloud solutions:

• A cloud-based VoIP system that gives employees access to their work lines, extensions, and other capabilities at home via the internet.
• A cloud-based productivity suite, such as Microsoft 365, that offers anytime access to email, contacts, calendar, and various applications.
• A cloud-based desktop that enables employees to access their work computers, including all settings and applications, from home.

CPU, Inc. offers a range of cloud solutions designed to give you greater agility and resiliency – no matter the disruption. Let’s talk about what our cloud solutions can do for you.