Why You Need to Consolidate Your Cloud Apps

Most modern-day businesses use cloud apps in one form or another. These could range from communicating via Telegram to using WordPress for content marketing. The cloud provides several great ways to increase productivity and collaboration. However, if you're not careful, you can quickly end up with too many apps and a lot of clutter.

Getting overrun with apps can create a big headache for your IT department. It can also cause productivity to plummet. In fact, Forbes found that employees wasted 32 days per year just moving between apps their employers ironically use for workplace efficiency. Here are some of the many reasons it's time to consolidate those apps.

1. Simplified Business Tech

When you have too many cloud apps, it creates silos of information. Data silos can make it challenging to keep track of projects and tasks. When your business tech is simplified, it's much easier for employees to find the necessary information. It increases productivity and collaboration because people aren't wasting time looking for things.

One way to simplify your business tech is to stick to one cloud suite. For example, instead of combining Dropbox with Microsoft Office 365 capabilities, use OneDrive and SharePoint. Also find apps with multiple functionalities so you don't need five apps to complete the steps in one work process.

2. Reduced Cloud Apps Spending

The more apps you have, the more money you spend on subscriptions. You're also likely paying for features you don't even use. By consolidating your apps, you can save your business a lot of money upfront. However, this doesn't mean that you need to reduce cloud functionalities. You can spread your budget by focusing on suites instead of individual capabilities.

When you reduce your spending on apps, you can reinvest that money into other aspects of your business. Here are prime candidates:

• Upgrading your existing cloud infrastructure
• Training employees on how to use existing apps
• Marketing your products to your ideal consumers
• Expanding the business into new geographic regions

3. Productivity Boost

Too many cloud apps can be overwhelming and cause employees to feel scattered. As mentioned, employees waste a lot of time just moving between apps. The clock keeps ticking as employees figure out which app to use, wait for the app to load, sign in and then navigate the app to get to the required functionalities.

When you consolidate your apps, employees will have fewer piles of data and functionalities to work through to get what they need. Streamlining app usage boosts productivity because people aren't wasting time just opening and closing apps. Microsoft estimates savings of 2 hours per employee per month using its system.

If you'd like to find out more about bringing cloudficiency to your project, reach out to us.

4. More Accurate Insights

When you have too many cloud apps, getting accurate insights into your business is challenging because the data gets scattered across different platforms. Some of these apps might not integrate or might create duplicate data. Both of these possibilities negatively impact accuracy.

You can get a more holistic view of your business when you consolidate your apps. Doing so allows you to make more informed decisions about where to allocate resources and what opportunities to seize. You can also take corrective and proactive action based on trends instead of waiting to react to a disaster.

5. More Robust Cybersecurity

When you have too many apps, it's easier for cybercriminals to gain access to your data. Each app has its own security protocol and opens a new door to your data and network. It is common for hackers to look for vulnerabilities in third-party apps to get the access they need to corporations' mainframe systems. Examples include the payment processors used or the servers storing corporate data.

When you consolidate your apps, you reduce your potential breach points. The larger companies offering comprehensive packages have the resources to invest in more high-end cybersecurity measures. They can also provide better support if a breach does take place.

Cloud Apps Access via Cloudficient

Consolidating your apps can be a daunting task, but it is a necessary one. It all starts with looking at work processes and business goals. Then, determine what you need to digitize and automate. Next, single out the apps that can help you achieve this and more.

Once you know what apps you need, look for suites and packages that include as many of them as possible. Doing this will help reduce costs. It is not uncommon for some subscriptions and plans to go on sale around major holidays, such as Independence Day or New Year's Day.

To save time and effort, determine whether you have the capabilities to consolidate your cloud apps via Microsoft. This task will require migrating to Office 365. If your organization has not yet completed this task, our migration specialists at Cloudficient can help. Get your free quote today.

With unmatched next generation migration technology, Cloudficient is revolutionizing the way businesses retire legacy systems and transform their organization into the cloud. Our business constantly remains focused on client needs and creating product offerings that match them. We provide affordable services that are scalable, fast and seamless.

If you would like to learn more about how to bring Cloudficiency to your migration project, visit our website, or contact us.