One of the great things about adopting new technology is the fact that it often brings unseen benefits. In the case of the cloud, one of the benefits many business owners and managers have seen is that it allows them to standardize technology practices and use within their organization.
Why Standardize
By now you have probably realized that standardization of businesses practices is important. Chances are that you have some rules of standardization in place already (e.g. how employees are supposed to react to customer complaints, how they are supposed to behave at work, etc.). But have you ever considered technology standards? As with other areas of business, standardizing how your employees handle technology can benefit your company.
Oracle published a paper discussing the benefits of technology standardization for the engineering and construction field, but many can be applied to other businesses and fields as well. Below are some of the benefits that businesses can find when they standardize processes and procedures of using technology.
Efficiency
A standardized environment ensures that each employee is using the most efficient and effective ways when working on and finishing a project.
Visibility
Standardization allows all involved parties to know where the project stands. It ensures that project information is up-to-date and can be access by contributors at any time, no matter where they are.
Collaboration and Communication
Through standardization, those in charge can define the processes and procedures that they want their employees to follow, thus reducing errors, improving work practices and accelerating the process of moving from start to finish.
Compliance
It allows companies to streamline the way they store and manage documents, as well as set a precedent for uniform processes that enable greater control and monitoring.
Standardization Through the Cloud
One major advantage of the cloud is that it has allowed companies a means to standardize how their employees utilize technology. A lack of standardization leads to the use of “distinct, yet functionally redundant, systems and applications” within many organizations. This makes it difficult for IT providers to respond to system problems or a change in company needs.
Within an organization, different divisions may use applications for the same general purpose, but use it differently and with slight differences in configuration. According Amrhein, each team thinks their way is best; the reality is, however, that those ways are not necessarily better. In fact, these different tactics usually cost the company more money when it comes to managing these differences. He goes on to say that cloud technology can help organizations foster meaningful standardization through ready-to-deploy units of work such as images, templates and patterns. It allows businesses to: increase productivity, decrease the need for highly specialized skills and reduce management cost.
Your company can standardize its technology use by employing IronOrbit’s customized cloud solutions. Our team of experts designs, builds and maintains a cloud that is designed around your specific needs.