RingCentral Predicts How the Cloud Will Change the Workplace in 2015
Cloud computing has forever changed the way we access information and perform business tasks. The cloud has saved us time and money, and made it possible for the advent of new technologies simply because storage and development in the cloud now permits it. But cloud computing is impacting our daily lives, especially given the growth of Internet of Things, connected devices and the modern workforce.
As we move into 2015, I predict the cloud will greatly impact what’s on the horizon for workers. Here’s what you should look for in 2015:
The cloud will remove the siloes of business communication.
Finally, unified communications will become more like unified interactions as voice, text and video become connected. Developments in cloud technology mean businesses can replace legacy, siloed systems with platforms that replicate the inherent, natural ways humans communicate with one another. The cloud will make business communication more human-like.
Work will become person centric, not device centric.
Thanks to the cloud, we have access to all applications and data on remote servers, no matter where we may be. This means workers will no longer be dependent on any given device to get their work done. This will decrease the need for desktop computers, and increase the need for smartphones and tablets that cater to mobile workers who need to access remote servers from wherever they are located.
Virtual meetings will advance ten-fold.
The cloud made replacing in person, face-to-face meetings with virtual meetings possible a few years ago. In 2015, we’ll see an increase in video and content sharing within these virtual meetings, and they will become the norm especially within the globalized workforce. Employees will have access to virtual meetings from their smartphones and laptops, and the virtual meetings will have the capacity to hold hundreds of users instead of just a few.
Built in security will be a must.
Large enterprises will look to cloud service vendors for best in class built-in security since their investments and specialized skillsets are leveraged across thousands of businesses. At the same time, greater focus on security will increase scrutiny for vendor relations. I predict enterprises will focus on holistic security strategies that mitigate risk and establish trust between workers, devices, business communication platforms and computer systems.
BYOD will force policy to be enforced.
The bring your own device movement will not slow down in 2015. As it accelerates, businesses will increase spending for enhanced security and policy enforcement. The cloud will be a blessing and a curse—while it’s speeding up workflow and enabling remote access to data, it will also put businesses at growing risk for cybercrime and device mismanagement. In 2015, businesses will learn from their mistakes and begin cracking down on BYOD rules and regulations.
Innovation surrounding the cloud is snowballing, and there is no doubt 2015 will be another big year. The cloud does more than change how businesses function—it’s changing how the workers within those organizations do their jobs.
Disclaimer: This article was written by a guest contributor in his/her personal capacity. The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect those of CloudWedge.com
