With more than 90% of organizations already using cloud computing for business, the market is expected to grow more than $1 trillion by 2028. This only shows that cloud computing is important for business workflow.
From using remote collaboration software to virtual work platforms, and cloud storage solutions for businesses to cloud security for remote work, there are tons of cloud-based applications. And your business needs to incorporate these tools.
With numerous tools available in the market, knowing which one is right for your company requires aligning its features with business workability. That’s what we’re here for. We’ll list cloud-based tools best for remote work and business efficiency while highlighting how they help and how to choose one. So, let’s get started:
The Role of Cloud Computing in Remote Work
An estimate shows that nearly 22% of the American workforce will be working remotely full-time by 2025. Hence, the remote work model will only be implemented at a larger scale in the coming times.
Here’s how companies can leverage cloud computing to effectively managing remote work and employees.
In addition, companies provide internet and cloud services to their remote employees to ensure that they have all the facilities they need to get their jobs done.
Key Features to Look for in Cloud Computing Tools
In addition to incorporating cloud-based tools within the business, companies need to choose the right one. This minimizes several issues such as cost, integration, cross-platform compatibility, etc. Let’s take a look at the top features of cloud computing tools that should be considered:
Amongst the ones mentioned above, the most important ones include:
Security and Compliance: with resources connecting to the business systems remotely, the cloud computing tool should ensure strict measures with regular audits to ensure compliance at every level.
Reliability and Performance: the cloud computing tool used by any organization should provide seamless access to the resources without any or minimal downtime.
Disaster recovery: in case of unexpected outages or cyberattacks, the system should be well-equipped with the standards to help with data recovery and protection at all levels.
Top Cloud Computing Tools for Remote Work
Now that we’ve learned about the importance of cloud computing for remote working employees, let’s check out the top cloud-based tools from various domains available in the market:
Collaboration & Communication Tools
As evident from the name, these tools are designed to provide and manage a business’s communication remotely, such as video conferencing, messaging, etc. Here are the cloud-based communication tools available in the market:
· 8×8
With a comprehensive suite, 8×8 is an excellent cloud-based communication platform for businesses working remotely. It combines all communication apps and tools used by the business within its interface under one roof. Here’s what else it offers:
- Unified analytics for smarter decision-making
- Seamless cross-platform integration
- Platform-wide private data centers
- End-to-end encryption security with compliance
8×8 allows businesses to scale or decrease their operations as needed seamlessly. In addition, it offers cost-effective pricing with added AI features for smarter reporting and business optimization.
· RingCentral
Combining various communication methods, including messaging, fax, etc. into one platform, RingCentral is another amazing choice of cloud-based communication tool for businesses. It allows organizations to purchase licenses according to their scalability options, making it a flexible tool, especially for SMEs. Here’s what else it offers:
- Powerful UCaaS platform for streamlining workflows
- AI-enhanced communication
- Access to the global network
- Scalable plans
RingCentral is excellent for businesses from various industries, including but not limited to finance, healthcare, retail, education, and more.
· Twilio
Twilio is a developer-based communication tool that allows companies to customize their communication processes as needed. It works using APIs that can be integrated various third-party communication channels. In other words, a business can integrate and use several communication tools in any way it wants without any limitations. Here’s what else it offers:
- Robust APIs and Software Development Kits
- User authentication and fraud detection
- Personalized support and sales interactions
- Voice API integration
- Pre-built coding support
The platform is also working on the integration of AI and ML APIs to engage automation and enhance workflow efficiency for businesses. In addition, it’s working on introducing AR/VR APIs soon that would allow to boost in communication for the businesses.
Project Management Tools
With a cloud-based project management tool, companies can easily track performance, handle tasks, and organize and align these tasks according to the company’s needs. With several options in the market, here are the ones to get started with:
· ClickUp
A versatile platform, ClickUp is great for small teams that are just starting out. From document sharing to easy task management, the tool offers a wide range of customization options for every aspect of business operations. In addition, it offers:
- 1000+ third-party integrations
- Goal tracking features
- Automation for redundant tasks
- Seamless reporting and performance tracking
You can use ClickUp with a free account but to unlock its complete potential, you’d need to buy a premium account.
· Monday.com
With a visually appealing design, easy-to-manage interface, and lots of pre-built templates to work with, Monday.com is an excellent cloud-based project management tool to work with. It comes with automation features that allow it to manage workflows seamlessly. Check out what else it offers:
- Engaging and easy-to-navigate
- Designed for teams of all levels
- Seamless scalability
- Visual task management
- Easily integrated with third-party platforms
- Advanced reporting
Monday.com comes with various plans that are suited for individuals as well as organizations, making it easier to get a robust project management tool with cloud features.
File Sharing & Storage Tools
Cloud-based file-sharing tools are excellent for managing data and enhancing remote communication between teams. Moreover, these tools are also great when it comes to restoring the data in case anything causes data loss. Here are the top cloud-based file-sharing and storage tools to get:
· Microsoft OneDrive
With a wide range of support for Android, iOS, Mac, and Windows, Microsoft OneDrive is an excellent file-sharing and storage device with cloud services. The good thing about it is that you can get it free if you pay for Microsoft 365. Here’s what you get with it:
- Automatic backups
- Real-time data syncing
- Automatic data restoration on a new device
- Online editing and file versioning features
Although OneDrive doesn’t offer much space for storage, still you can use it to keep the data secure and available for whichever device you use.
· IDrive
Another exciting option, IDrive provides free local backups with faster uploading speeds with its cloud-based storage and file-sharing services. An intuitive feature of IDrive is that it allows to back up the data on any local drive or network as you like. What’s more, is that you can archive the data and still access it after the files have been deleted from your disk. Here’s what else it offers:
- Best price for amazing storage capacity
- Available for Windows, Mac, Android and iOS
- Fully encrypted for security
- Can be used for unlimited devices/ account
It’s actually a great file-sharing tool; however, there’s limited Linux support and you don’t get unlimited storage too, which is something to consider before buying it.
Cloud Security Solutions
As evident from the name, these tools are designed for protecting and securing information and data passing through various cloud-connected channels. They play an important part since data mishandling, breaches, cyberattacks, etc. can destroy or steal a company’s database and cause damage on a large scale. Here are some options to consider.
· Trivy
With the ability to detect a wide range of security vulnerabilities, Trivy is an excellent tool for managing various online environments. From Git repositories to virtual machine images, the tool can detect misconfigurations with accuracy. Here’s what else it offers:
- OS package identifiers
- Proactive identification (SBOM, CVEs, IaCs issues and misconfigurations)
- Programing and OS support
- Quick start with distribution channels
- Canary Builds for the users
Trivy also has an extensive range of security scanners that are robust for handling complex security problems and misconfigurations. Its plans vary based on the user’s need and can be acquired from the source.
· CloudSploit
CloudSploit is an open-source platform, dedicated to offering a secure cloud environment for businesses. It supports Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and many other cloud environments, making it one of the best platforms in the market. Here’s what it offers:
- Flexible deployment options within the organization
- Read-only access for detecting security vulnerabilities
- Seamless cloud setup integration
- Customized scanning options with CLI
- Compliance ensured
With CloudSploit, companies can prepare and protect against misconfigurations and security risks with amazing cloud-based reinforcements.
Best Practices for Implementing Cloud Computing in Remote Work
To ensure that the cloud computing tool you’re using stays at the top of its game, here are some of the best practices to consider:
Cloud computing holds great potential in terms of facilitating remote work. From access to storage, it can aid in streamlining the processes and offer robust workability across all platforms. All businesses need to do is find the right cloud computing tool that fits their needs and implement it within their systems to gain the competitive business flexibility they’re aiming at.
