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How to Reduce IT Spending with Cloud Management
Businesses rely more heavily than ever before on digital information to help make smart decisions, run operations efficiently and productively, and to connect more meaningfully with their customers. But how can you utilize this digital goldmine in a cost-effective way?
Construction businesses, like most companies operating today, collect a large amount of data. While this data can be a benefit to your business, the sheer amount of information means that it’s more difficult than ever to keep every piece of company information, and all your programs and services live and running on your company’s servers.
First things, first.
What is Cloud Management?
Cloud management is the management of cloud computing products and services. Essentially, that means careful documentation and tracking of your IT systems in the cloud to maintain oversight and administrative control of cloud computing products and services.
Cloud management means you can spend less money for the same level of operations. Here are four ways that you can reduce your IT system maintenance and management costs by moving to the cloud.
- Buy Less Hardware
Servers and the networks that connect them are expensive. Moving to the cloud means that you can eliminate new spending on hardware, software, and middle ware, while still benefiting from access to the most advanced technologies, an investment your cloud provider will take on. And when you are ready to grow, you can take on additional capacity for data and systems as needed. That’s smart and efficient. By using only what you need, cloud management ensures that every dollar you spend goes directly to infrastructure management.
- Reduce Labor Costs
Streamline your workforce. One of your biggest budget items is your staff costs and expertise in IT is expensive. Moving to cloud management might not mean downsizing staff, but you’ll be better able to assign your IT team to areas where they can be most effective. Your IT team can focus on supporting and expanding existing infrastructure instead of managing the network, handling storage capacity, upgrading software, or tackling security concerns. An additional benefit of moving your operations to the cloud is that you can eliminate the cost and responsibility of constantly re-certifying your IT staff as system technology changes so quickly. Besides, construction has its own necessary expertise, and it’s more productive to ensure your team is an expert in your field.
- Increase Productivity
Cloud computing is fast, and that means applications run without hiccups or interruptions, which makes it easier for your entire team to communicate and collaborate. With cloud management you’ll spend less time overall waiting and more time working. You’ll also benefit from better data consistency. Everyone on your team can access the same data in the same way, rather than navigating a patchwork system. And you’ll free up your IT people from all the requests to convert data into usable information.
- Cut Maintenance Expenses
It can be tough for construction businesses to judge how much to invest in their IT systems, only to have servers sit half empty. A cloud-based system means that you pay only for what you use. That means your investment in IT is as lean as you need it to be. What’s more, you can cut your energy costs, since cloud management uses less electricity. And you can also eliminate the need for security software, security monitoring, performance monitoring, and other kinds of alert software.
Some Things To Consider
Consider your ROI. With cloud management, easy access to your data from anywhere becomes less costly and easier. Pay as you go means you only pay for what you’re using, so you know that your investment is as lean as you need it to be. And that investment also ensures that your IT infrastructure is current with the latest technology and IT practices.
Consider the benefits of redeploying your IT team so they can focus on managing the complexities of your construction business.
Consider how you can re-invigorate your IT budget with a move to the cloud. Cloud computing helps companies run their organizations more efficiently, provide better service for their customers, and boost their overall profits.
With cloud maintenance, you’ll be better able to compete with other contractors and construction businesses who have already made the move to the cloud. And making the move ahead of your competition will give you a significant advantage.
Find out more about how eCMS in the cloud can help you improve your business operations for less.