Cloud technology essential for adapting to new normal

Working from home has rapidly become the new normal, and there’s no question that businesses have had to adapt to this change. With so many people working remotely, focus is shifting towards the use of cloud technology, which is being seen as more and more of a must-have as companies transform themselves digitally. After all, cloud platforms are an effective connectivity solution in a time when people are working from different locations and need a centralised point of communication with one another. 

The digital transformation of businesses was the main talking point at a recent Business Day Focus 4.0 Live digital event. It was held in partnership with the cloud technology company Oracle, whose managing director, Niral Patel, spoke from his company’s perspective and discussed how, after lockdown, it had been restructured in order to harness the efficacy of cloud platforms. 

Patel also recognised three important considerations that companies would have to make during the stages of transformation. They were data strategy, cybersecurity, and choice of deployment. He explained, “digital transformation is not about a one-size-fits-all approach as far as Oracle is concerned but rather about finding the right fit for each client based on a good understanding of their business.”

Johan Pretorius, general manager for enterprise performance management at MTN, also contributed to the discussion. He noted that businesses required agility and needed to be constantly aware of technological developments in order to remain competitors in their respective fields. It appeared that while most companies had adapted quickly to remote work, some found that their operating models were not well-suited to it, hence the need for digital transformation.

Pretorius went on by noting the importance of combining business and IT strategies so that, working together, they can deliver to the optimal level. He also mentioned how crucial it was for a company to guide its employees on the path to digital transformation, saying that “employees are key stakeholders in this journey. Not only do they need to be kept informed but they also need to be upskilled along the way.”

The deployment of cloud computing is an important step on this path, not least because it helps with the accessibility of data. Oracle’s cloud sales leader Shireen Pillay noted how accessible data was necessary for making strategic decisions. She also explains how a data-driven approach could help to provide companies with better business solutions.

There’s no question that access to cloud applications is now easier for remote workers, especially considering the prevalence of internet connectivity solutions. More companies need to harness these platforms properly and ensure that all data kept therein is both secure and accessible to those who need it. Nashua’s connectivity solutions can enable companies to use a variety of cloud-based tools and technologies in order for everyone to be able to work from home and still keep in touch with one another.

Watch the full webinar in the video below.