Cloud, Mobility, and Virtualization: 3 Tools That Are Changing the Workplace

At Centre, we often remind our customers that technology is a tool they can leverage to help their business grow- that technology is the centre of every business, and every problem has an IT solution to help. However, each business may need a very different set of tools to bring out their best.

Among the many tools that are revolutionizing workplace, the three that you need to pay attention to are virtualization, the cloud, and workplace mobility. The days of typing at a desk, scheduling meetings, and operating with limited resources are nearly over, and businesses that leverage these three emerging technologies have a greater competitive advantage.

Cloud is More Than Just Backup

IT Security Beyond Cloud Backups and Disaster Recovery

You might be familiar with cloud as a tool for offsite backup, but the cloud is capable of much more. In the years to come, cloud computing will be part of a catalyst fostering new innovations. In its most basic form, cloud is a way to, “increase capacity or add capabilities on the fly without investing in new infrastructure, training new personnel, or licensing new software” (Knorr, E., 2008).

Cloud computing has even been cited as one of 2015’s workplace technology trends to watch. Businesses that leverage the cloud will find that they can deploy more efficient workplace mobility practices, better security across the infrastructure, and more efficient disaster recovery/business continuity measures. More importantly, the cloud is flexible. Businesses that don’t have the time or resources to install and implement an entire IT infrastructure can still enjoy all of its benefits with an IaaS, infrastructure-as-a-service, offering.

Mobility For the New Remote Workforce

Cloud Services for Better Workforce Management

As of 2014, Gartner report s 40% of US consumers who work for a large enterprise have used their own personal mobile devices for work purposes. With 90% of American adults having a cellphone, the first percentage can only increase as time passes. Workplace mobility is the next frontier in workplace innovation, and there many advantages to adopting an MDM strategy. For example, a partner study by Cisco found that 92% of employees who are part of a BYOD workplace will use their own phones every week to answer work email, use job-related websites and apps, and make work calls.

There are two ways a business can promote mobility – providing their employees with company owned devices, or implementing a BYOD plan. Choose a strategy that fits the needs of your business. You want to use the right governance and technology measures to ensure the success of your workplace mobility strategy. Businesses that embrace mobility find that their employees are more engaged with their work, and, ultimately, more efficient.

Furthermore, working hours are dramatically increasing — technology industry is a major part of that. Flexibility remains to be an issue. Not every company can provide flexibility, but for those that can, you will find employee morale increases, employees work faster, and you will get results. With remote access delivered by cloud desktop services, employees can log in and see their work desktop as if they were at the office — a virtual office. A virtual office allows managers to control business applications and data with secure access for employees via internet or Virtual Private Network (VPN) connection. How’s that for work-life balance?

Virtualization is Doing More with Less

Virtual Infrastructure and Cloud Desktop Services

Virtualization and cloud desktops allows multiple software to run on a single server while tricking each software instance into thinking that it’s running on its own hardware. Essentially, it is the separation of the software layer from the hardware layer in order to use the hardware more efficiently across several platforms. What does virtualization mean for businesses?

It means being able to efficiently use one server to support multiple workstations and devices. It means being able to deliver virtual desktops and applications to your employees anywhere, at any time, with the best security. Virtualization streamlines an entire IT infrastructure making it simple, more manageable, and much more scalable. Instead of purchasing an entire new server to accommodate one set of workstations, that same server can deliver to several sets of workstations both in, and out, of the office.

Nowadays, businesses or individuals no longer have to make nearly as many decisions when it comes to purchasing hardware when your business is in the cloud. In many cases, there are no hardware decisions to make. You only pay for the services you need.

When deploying virtual desktops there's less need for concern when it comes to data security. Your data will be encrypted and protected by state-of-the-art security measures. More effective protection against viruses and malware for your devices. And thanks to automatic updates, you will have more time for your core business.

Choose Your Tools Wisely

Business Cloud Solution and Services

Do you need one or two tools? Do you need all three? Cloud computing, virtualization, and workplace mobility can be modified to fit any business. The final question, then, is, “What direction do you want your business to take?”

With a business cloud solution from Centre Technologies your business gains a complete workspace hosted in the cloud. Delivering cloud desktops, business and productivity applications, and a complete back-office system to users anywhere, anytime, on any device. The ease and flexibility of running a business when you’re not physically in the office is now possible.

Get started with an IT solution that fits your vision of the future. Let Centre Technologies help you find the perfect technology tools for your business today.