Cloud Computing: Exploring The Possibilities

Over the last decade, Cloud Computing has gained remarkable traction, as more and more organizations seek to distribute their company’s files remotely. Cloud Computing has been around for quite some time, but increases in telecommuting, globalization, and Internet connection speeds have stimulated the industry's growth. Still, there is a lot of mystery behind Cloud Computing, as organizations begin their endeavor to explore the possibilities of “The Cloud.”

Cloud Computing and Globalization

Globalization has played a significant role in the growth of the Cloud Computing industry, as the Cloud enables employees to access company files remotely from anywhere on the globe. More and more, organizations are using Cloud applications to support their business, seeing the benefits of Cloud systems significantly outweighing the costs.

Across the African continent, improvements to the telecommunication infrastructure are facilitating the demand for Cloud Computing. In the coming years, we can expect to see Cloud Computing impact the African business landscape by improving operational performance and providing organizations with a powerful platform for growth. The same can be seen in Europe, Asia, and North America.

Cloud Computing is fundamental for a competitive single market for data and services, as it promotes an innovative economy. According to the European Union, the global data volume is growing very fast, and Cloud Computing provides companies with the necessary means to manage their data.

According to many studies, investments in SaaS-based (Software-as-a-Service) platforms outperform on-premise platforms in most scenarios. The ROI of SaaS-based systems is typically positive within the first year, while on-premise systems can take much longer to achieve the same result, with companies being responsible for ongoing costs of maintaining their own IT infrastructure. With that being said, these systems do allow companies to maintain complete control over their data, and on-premise systems are typically recommended for industries such as government and banking, where they operate under strict regulatory control.

Cloud Computing and Globalization

Globalization has played a significant role in the growth of the Cloud Computing industry, as the Cloud enables employees to access company files remotely from anywhere on the globe. More and more, organizations are using Cloud applications to support their business, seeing the benefits of Cloud systems significantly outweighing the costs.

Across the African continent, improvements to the telecommunication infrastructure are facilitating the demand for Cloud Computing. In the coming years, we can expect to see Cloud Computing impact the African business landscape by improving operational performance and providing organizations with a powerful platform for growth. The same can be seen in Europe, Asia, and North America.

Cloud Computing is fundamental for a competitive single market for data and services, as it promotes an innovative economy. According to the European Union, the global data volume is growing very fast, and Cloud Computing provides companies with the necessary means to manage their data.

According to many studies, investments in SaaS-based (Software-as-a-Service) platforms outperform on-premise platforms in most scenarios. The ROI of SaaS-based systems is typically positive within the first year, while on-premise systems can take much longer to achieve the same result, with companies being responsible for ongoing costs of maintaining their own IT infrastructure. With that being said, these systems do allow companies to maintain complete control over their data, and on-premise systems are typically recommended for industries such as government and banking, where they operate under strict regulatory control.

Cloud Computing in Engineering

Cloud Computing has made a notable impact in the engineering Industries. Increases in efficiency and productivity have paved the way for rapid expansion in the AEC (Architecture, Engineering, and Construction), Manufacturing, and Utility industries. Engineers rely on the Cloud to share files and documents across departments while maintaining a high level of security.

Engineers often use a Cloud document management system to manage the high volume of drawings and documents required in engineering workflows. While on-premise systems often provide similar features, Cloud systems offer the flexibility engineers need to collaborate on-site, on the production floor, or in the office without needing to set up VPNs or getting special access to their corporate network.

Cloud Syncing and Sharing

Cloud syncing and sharing can promote project collaboration across different departments and locations by allowing users to access files simultaneously with the assurance that all parties are viewing the most current files and documents - a feature included in Version Control.

It also allows system administrators to establish an archive or disaster recovery site that is automatically synced, or synced when needed. Syncing can be performed continuously or during scheduled times and can even be performed on-demand.

Cloud Computing in Engineering

Cloud Computing has made a notable impact in the engineering Industries. Increases in efficiency and productivity have paved the way for rapid expansion in the AEC (Architecture, Engineering, and Construction), Manufacturing, and Utility industries. Engineers rely on the Cloud to share files and documents across departments while maintaining a high level of security.

Engineers often use a Cloud document management system to manage the high volume of drawings and documents required in engineering workflows. While on-premise systems often provide similar features, Cloud systems offer the flexibility engineers need to collaborate on-site, on the production floor, or in the office without needing to set up VPNs or getting special access to their corporate network.

Cloud Syncing and Sharing

Cloud syncing and sharing can promote project collaboration across different departments and locations by allowing users to access files simultaneously with the assurance that all parties are viewing the most current files and documents - a feature included in Version Control.

It also allows system administrators to establish an archive or disaster recovery site that is automatically synced, or synced when needed. Syncing can be performed continuously or during scheduled times and can even be performed on-demand.

Cloud Document Management System Security

Many organizations have expressed concerns regarding the security of Cloud-based applications. In reality, however, there is little for them to worry about. Engine-Box uses industry-leading security and backup provided by AWS (Amazon Web Services).  Infrastructure security is typically improved as the system is hosted on a Tier 1 outsourced platform provider. Virus and malware protection is included with commercial-grade intrusion prevention.

Access control is determined by the designated system administrator, which allows them to restrict file access to users either at the global, group, project, file, user or file metadata level, to ensure files are only accessible to those who need them for their specific job function. Additionally, Engine-Box encrypts all communications to secure file image sharing and downloads performed by permitted users.

AWS Marketplace

AWS Marketplace is Amazon Web Services’ leading Cloud, SaaS Solutions Marketplace. It features a wide selection of commercial and free IT and business software, including software infrastructures such as databases and application servers, IoT solutions, developer tools, and business applications.

AWS Marketplace makes it easier than ever before to deploy software such as Engine-Box, eQuorum’s leading cloud workflow and engineering document management software. Click here to learn more about Engine-Box on AWS Marketplace, or schedule your free trial here.

Summary

Cloud computing enables organizations to explore new possibilities regarding remote collaboration, file security, and efficiency. It provides SMBs with unlimited scalability and provides large enterprises with new capabilities in terms of globalization and the speed at which they communicate with remote workers. Cloud workflow and document management platforms can further improve a company’s work quality by providing them with the collaboration workspaces they need to manage their files and documents reliably and efficiently.

Cloud Document Management System Security

Many organizations have expressed concerns regarding the security of Cloud-based applications. In reality, however, there is little for them to worry about. Engine-Box uses industry-leading security and backup provided by AWS (Amazon Web Services).  Infrastructure security is typically improved as the system is hosted on a Tier 1 outsourced platform provider. Virus and malware protection is included with commercial-grade intrusion prevention.

Access control is determined by the designated system administrator, which allows them to restrict file access to users either at the global, group, project, file, user or file metadata level, to ensure files are only accessible to those who need them for their specific job function. Additionally, Engine-Box encrypts all communications to secure file image sharing and downloads performed by permitted users.

AWS Marketplace

AWS Marketplace is Amazon Web Services’ leading Cloud, SaaS Solutions Marketplace. It features a wide selection of commercial and free IT and business software, including software infrastructures such as databases and application servers, IoT solutions, developer tools, and business applications.

AWS Marketplace makes it easier than ever before to deploy software such as Engine-Box, eQuorum’s leading cloud workflow and engineering document management software. Click here to learn more about Engine-Box on AWS Marketplace, or schedule your free trial here.

Summary

Cloud computing enables organizations to explore new possibilities regarding remote collaboration, file security, and efficiency. It provides SMBs with unlimited scalability and provides large enterprises with new capabilities in terms of globalization and the speed at which they communicate with remote workers. Cloud workflow and document management platforms can further improve a company’s work quality by providing them with the collaboration workspaces they need to manage their files and documents reliably and efficiently.