We have all heard about how cloud computing is going to (or already is) making a huge impact on business. I wanted to share with you my experiences with one of the simplest forms of cloud computing (Dropbox) and how much it has changed how I work.
There are many file sharing applications out there. JMARK has used several, and many are good. This specific example is about Dropbox, a product that I believe is superior. The product works very simply. The first step is to setup an account (we can handle this for you). Next, an application is installed on your computer (PC or Mac), and during installation a location is designated for the Dropbox folder. The Dropbox folder will be synchronized with the Dropbox servers. It is very common to move many of the “My Documents” folders or picture folders into the Dropbox location so all these files are synchronized online. Once the synchronization process is completed, these files can be accessed from almost any mobile device (smartphones, iPads, other computers, etc.). That in and of itself is very helpful, but the ability to share these files and folders with other people within and outside of your organization can really drive productivity.
I have been able to move many files and folders into my online Dropbox environment and pull up that data from my iPad. This has enabled me to pull up information while in a meeting, answer questions and share the information instantly helping us to make decisions faster.
The Dropbox for Business program enables the software to be loaded on a server so the files and folders can be accessed while traveling, from home or with users who do not normally have access to the server such as vendors and clients. This ability also helps in transferring large amounts of data when email is limited. Folders can be specifically created for collaboration with people anywhere in the world.
Security has been incorporated into each aspect of the solution. The data is encrypted at rest (meaning it is encrypted while it sits on the cloud servers, not just while being transferred), can be encrypted on the workstations with additional components, supports two-factor authentication, and meets the requirements of HIPAA and other standards.
This solution is a great way to handle Board packets so the Board can function from a tablet, collaborate, and simply backup your data as there are no limitations on the business edition.
If you are interested in finding out if Dropbox for Business is right for you, please contact us here.
