Four Solid Practices to Use When Relying on Cloud-Based Software

Cloud computing has become a common tool, especially Software-as-a-Service (SaaS). Hosted software provides robust options that make sense to all companies, including anytime-anywhere availability, scalability, and provider management of the underlying hardware. In today’s blog, we want to discuss a couple of tips people can use when working with cloud computing.

Automate Backups and Set Recovery Points

Every business should back up its platforms, no matter where they are hosted. For cloud platforms, businesses need to automate regular backups. Since most cloud platforms offer scheduled backups, you’ll want to take advantage of these to protect critical files and databases. Since data loss or corruption can be catastrophic to your business, automating backups ensures you always have a recoverable version, minimizing downtime and disruption.

Take Advantage of Integrations

The cool thing about many cloud platforms is their ability to integrate with others. To get the most out of your cloud solutions, you’ll want to maximize productivity by combining your cloud software with other tools you use, such as CRM, project management, or marketing platforms. Look for APIs or built-in integration features to streamline processes across different software. Cloud services are built to work together with other platforms, and integrating them helps promote automation to reduce errors and improve efficiency.

Use Multi-Factor Authentication

Security always has to be a priority. Always enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) for any cloud-based software. This adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second form of verification in addition to the traditional password. Since cloud software is accessible from anywhere, it can be more vulnerable to unauthorized access. MFA significantly improves security by protecting your accounts from being compromised, even if your password is stolen.

Optimize Storage and Costs

Controlling costs is always important in business. You need to monitor and manage your cloud storage usage. Archive old data and files rarely accessed to cheaper, long-term storage options and set up alerts for when you approach your storage limit to avoid unexpected costs. As your business grows, so do your data and cloud storage costs. You can optimize your storage by shifting infrequently accessed data to lower-cost options, which helps control expenses while ensuring important files remain accessible when needed.

If you want to talk to one of our IT professionals about making the cloud work for you, call us at (804) 264-9339.