Office in the Cloud

Now that we’ve had a chance to learn about how cloud-enabled services can help your business – see Making Sense of “The Cloud” – it’s time to dig a little deeper into the tools that make the cloud really come alive for your business.

Accessing Services Through the Cloud
Being able to access services through the cloud is much more than simply running the same old word processor from the web. It opens up collaboration and sharing that wouldn’t otherwise be possible with traditional productivity software. For example, with multiple users working in real-time on the same online document, your team can easily hit important deadlines even if you’re scattered all over the globe.

Another plus is that cloud-based services are often accessible via a wide range of devices, which helps mobile workers accomplish their work on the go. Additionally, cloud-based services tend to be budget-friendly, with no major capital outlay to purchase and install the software, while support and training options are often available directly from the vendor.

And, since many of us spend a large part of our working day using productivity tools like word processors, spreadsheet applications and presentation software, let’s take a look at an example of a cloud-based service that turns what was traditionally a set of desktop-only activities into an integrated set of tools that you can access anywhere, on any device:

Microsoft Office 365
If you’re heavily invested in traditional Microsoft Office products like Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook, Office 365 promises seamless integration between desktop and online environments. The subscription-based service also offers a number of service packages to align with your particular business needs and ensure you’re only paying for what you use.

Moving your office – or in this case, your Microsoft Office – into the cloud can fundamentally change how your business works. There’s nothing cloudy about that.

Have you begun utilizing cloud-based services for your business? What advantages, efficiencies or learnings have you discovered as a result? We’d love to hear your thoughts on this emerging technology – share your feedback in the comments section below.