You may have heard a lot about cloud computing recently, and perhaps, even wondered if your company should be investigating cloud computing solutions for your customer relationship management (CRM) or sales force automation (SFA) needs. Yet, it’s probable that you have a lot of questions. Relax. We’ve can provide you with some answers.
What Is Cloud Computing?
Computing that takes place entirely on the Internet, instead of requiring hardware, software and infrastructure to support it is known as cloud computing. Users log in to a shared data center, which is powered by multiple servers. This means that the cloud can be accessed by any Web browser, whether it’s on a desktop computer or in a mobile device such as a BlackBerry or iPhone, enabling portability of all files and decreasing reporting time.
Is Cloud Computing Expensive?
Cloud computing providers generally bill their customers on a per-use basis. Sometimes cloud computing is charged as a utility, and other times on a subscription basis, but either way, you pay only for what you actually use. This is in direct contrast to the server model, which requires an upfront expenditure of capital to purchase the hardware, the software, the physical storage, cooling of the servers, and the IT specialists to maintain it all. The pay-as-you-go model of cloud computing makes it ideal for small businesses or start-ups that may not yet know the full extent of their computing needs.
Are Cloud-Based Apps Hard to Use?
Not at all. In fact, one of the major advantages of online applications is that they work much like a Web site, with user-friendly interfaces and point-and-click maneuverability. Conventional software can be confusing and difficult for all employees to learn, so it generally requires a lengthier deployment time, extensive training, and ongoing troubleshooting. All this, of course, demands a higher cost, both in capital and in man hours. Cloud-based applications are also extremely customizable. Individual end-users can tweak their interfaces to their preferences, while professional developers are able to access a range of coding tools to customize the application itself.
How Can Cloud Computing Streamline My Business?
By providing a centralized knowledge base for all CRM-related data and information, cloud computing can make it much easier for any authorized employee to get the information they need at the click of a mouse. The sales rep can update deal information; the sales manager can provide instant pricing approval; marketing managers can view the results of a promotion; even call center agents can access customer records in order to provide stellar customer service. And all of this data is updated in real-time, so the information is always reliably up-to-the-moment. The ease of use and remote accessibility of the Web-based applications can free up employees’ valuable time, allowing them to spend less time filling out forms and compiling reports, and more time serving the customer.
Cloud computing can minimize administrative tasks, improve efficiency, and augment customer service approaches – all of which lead to decreased costs and higher revenues. Isn’t it time you looked into cloud computing for your business?
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