Cloud Management Software: Hosting Company Data in the Clouds 

A company might not always be aware they’re behind the technology curve until it’s too late. Unfortunately, that doesn’t excuse them from needing to catch up. No one gets a pat on the back for keeping fax machine makers in business. One trend in the technology space is the cloud and cloud management software. So what is it? When is it applicable and what are the benefits of using cloud management software?  

What is “the cloud”? 

The cloud is a blanket term for online data storage that doesn’t take up data space on the device itself. There isn’t one great big cloud where all data exists together. Rather, there are a number of clouds, varying in sizes and levels of ownership. They can be private, company-specific clouds, public clouds or hybrid clouds. 

Companies can leverage cloud technologies in a number of ways. Three of the most common are Iaas, Paas and Saas. 

• Iaas, or infrastructure as a service, provides storage, networking and other means of making the company more virtual. Implementing Iaas means replacing physical infrastructure, like servers, and outsourcing the company’s network connectivity.  
• Paas, or platform as a service, is specifically hardware and software tools a company can access and use in the cloud. One example would be a platform a company could use to create applications for internal use. 
• Saas, or software as a service, is software a company can use to outsource the internal efforts of storage, etc. This is the most popular of the three. Unlike Paas, which is more of an environment for developing cloud software, Saas provides access to a software ready for use. 

What is cloud management software? 

Cloud management software is generally a platform-based system created to control cloud computing products or services. This software can be applicable across all services, though it’s most common with Saas. The platform is generally also capable of monitoring performance and detailing associated costs.  

When is cloud management software applicable? 

Companies looking to reduce IT costs can do so by deploying their systems in cloud environments and monitoring them using cloud management software. That means no more servers or onsite hardware. Everything would instead be accessible in online storage. 

What are the benefits of cloud management software? 

As mentioned in the previous section, using cloud management software can provide serious cost control opportunities. But there are many other benefits to cloud management software. One is accessibility. With a cloud-based system, employees can access the information they need from any device they have. 

Security is another potential benefit. With so many endpoints, cloud management software may seem to increase exposure to cyber risk. However, with a centralized platform, the management for each endpoint is streamlined and more trustworthy. 

In addition to cost control and security, companies want programs that can scale as they grow. Cloud management software enables seamless onboarding and offboarding of devices. A cloud-based system also enables companies to backup data more efficiently and integrate with any number of other applications.  

What are the downsides of cloud management software? 

Every program with advantages will also have disadvantages. The first and most glaring issue is a dependence on internet. If that’s down, work on projects becomes as limited as the data employees can access. With everything in a cloud-based platform, that won’t be much. Granted, most businesses considering cloud dependence are already internet dependent. 

Another potential issue is losing control of data management. Most companies do not have the teams necessary to implement their own cloud management software. That means relying on a third party. Your company is trusting them to care for sensitive company and customer data. What’s more, that third party platform may not have the customizability your company wants, only delivering on the essentials. You get the product you pay for, but nothing beyond that. 

What comes next?    

While there are potential downsides to implementing cloud management software in your company, the decision is ultimately yours. Don’t settle for a company that can’t provide you with the customizability you’re looking for in an outsourced product. And certainly don’t outsource management of your data to a company if you don’t trust their ability to keep it secure. Do your research, engage with a number of options and come ready with questions. This is your company’s data. The consequences of not getting it right almost aren’t worth thinking about.