The COVID-19 pandemic was a brutal but enlightening test of business resilience and continuity. According to Yelp’s Local Economic Impact Report, a total of 163,735 U.S. businesses were reported closed by the end of August 2020. Sixty percent of those closures were permanent. The businesses show no signs of reopening. Only the toughest enterprises have the agility to cope with severe supply chain disruptions and economic uncertainties.
Such shocking figures demonstrate the importance of a business continuity plan (BCP). This proactive strategy prevents and mitigates business risks associated with workflow disruptions. A key component of continuity planning is disaster recovery. Processes that involve keeping digital business resources available and operational at all times. Let’s look at the cloud’s role in disaster management and how it strengthens your business continuity plan.
All apps and data are accessible from anywhere
All cloud resources, including apps, data, and computing services, are readily accessible online. You only need a stable internet connection to participate in cloud workflow. This is a big deal and a unique selling point for cloud services. Meaning, no matter where your employees, customers, or business partners are, you can still collaborate on a common platform within a virtualized workplace.
2020 saw a sharp spike in the use of cloud-based remote working tools since most employees worked from home. For instance, Zoom experienced a 20x increase in active user count from 10 million to 200 million daily users in March alone. The cloud basically extends resources beyond the physical workplace. This keeps employees tethered to the business by enabling effective contactless interactions, communications, and collaborations.
Cloud is a connected, secure infrastructure
Using the cloud keeps your data and applications safer than other options available. Most cloud-based applications and data storage services are equipped with robust digital security systems, preventing unauthorized access, data loss, and malware injections.
In addition to the technical security details, high-level cloud services have administrative features that let you control and configure various cloud workflow security options. Take, for instance, Microsoft Office 365, one of the most popular SaaS applications. It comes with optional multi-factor authentication, data encryption, user privilege management, and advanced threat protection, among other user-controlled security features.
Designed for disaster recovery
The cloud is a disaster recovery plan on its own. Most people picture the cloud as just a server that’s accessible online. Although that’s true, it’s not the whole story. The cloud architecture is very different from that of an on-prem IT facility. Unlike a centralized in-house computing unit, the cloud is a distributed system consisting of numerous interconnected servers scattered across multiple locations. The servers are linked up through sophisticated networks and algorithms to create virtual machines.
A distributed system like this has built-in redundancies since data does not necessarily reside on a single server. That means the system can operate at extremely high fault tolerances, ensuring your data and applications remain accessible even after a critical system failure. This makes for an incredibly reliable cloud workflow and data backup platform that’s immune to natural disasters, data corruption, and human error.
Getting started with enterprise cloud solutions
Today, most businesses use the cloud for everyday business operations and as part of their disaster recovery plan. The cloud also presents many other benefits, such as minimized IT costs, expanded IT capacity, and increased overall productivity. A business cloud solution is actually your IT’s best friend.
The only problem with migrating to the cloud is finding and adopting the right solutions. At KME Systems, we can help you formulate and implement a cloud workflow plan befitting your business model and its unique IT requirements. We are a managed services provider dedicated to helping businesses like yours reach their potential through IT innovations. Get in touch with us and start your cloud journey with a caring, competent, and experienced IT partner.
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