Cloud Computing and the Staffing Industry
Staffing Stream
Cloud Computing and the Staffing Industry
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Today’s business buzz is all about cloud computing. With rapid progress in the technology sector, there are new ways to enhance productivity, while cutting costs substantially for the long term.
Plugging into the cloud promises to eliminate the need for costly on-site servers, complex installed software, backup worries and disruptive and expensive upgrades. Cloud computing is currently the most sought-after technology for many industries – the staffing industry is no exception. And for good reason.
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What Is Cloud Computing
Cloud computing (or cloud-hosting) is Internet-based computing, where shared software, resources and information are accessed on demand by your web browser and other web-enabled devices such as cell phones. Simply put, cloud computing is a way to have all the benefits of a secure physical infrastructure, with none of the massive costs involved in setting up and maintaining servers and software. Following are just a few of the benefits:
- Cost savings. No hardware to buy. No servers to maintain. No IT staff to pay. Noback-ups to worry about.
- Device and location independence. Access software anytime, anywhere using a web browser.
- Reliability. No more worrying about servers going down.
- Scalability. The ability to rapidly and inexpensively expand your business.
- Maintenance. Upgrades are simple. With no software in your office – all updates are automatic.
- Better cash flow. Cloud computing options are offered on an affordable monthly fee basis, which drastically reduces your up-front costs.
Few disagree that cloud computing is poised to make a big impact this decade. According to a survey by GlassHouse, a Framington, Mass.-based managed services consultancy, 60 out of 100 North American IT executives polled last December plan to implement Cloud technology in 2013.
Cloud Computing and the Staffing Industry
The staffing industry will find cloud computing especially useful. Whether you are meeting clients, managing branches, or interviewing potential candidates away from the office, both time and money can be saved with no loss of productivity or data.
Staffing firms “do not want to manage IT, they want to manage their business,” explains Simon Piff, a practice director for enterprise infrastructure at IDC, a global IT market researcher. Ultimately, cloud computing is expected to transform a staffing firm’s IT spending from a capital expenditure to an operating expense - from up-front lump sums to monthly pay-per-user. As Piff states, “cash flow is king for most organizations, plus the restrictions on credit” have forced companies to look for more cost-effective Cloud-based software solutions.
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It’s clear why cloud computing is being embraced by companies of all sizes. Its advantages of speed, ease of deployment, and low cost make it a viable option for firms looking to improve their service without sacrificing quality. Cloud computing solutions specifically designed for staffing enable:
- Firms to sell, recruit, service and manage businesses more efficiently 24/7 from any location. Sales reps to be better organized, more productive, and ensure consistent follow-up with potential clients.
- Recruiters to be more responsive to clients, more accurate in candidate matching and leverages the Internet to reduce recruiting costs.
- Managers to better track performance metrics, hold employees more accountable, quickly open new branches and maximize branch productivity.
- Owners to actively manage payables, general ledger and receivables, improve cash flow forecasts, accelerate financial intelligence and ensure operational excellence.
Cloud computing is being hailed as the future of the mobile staffing office. What was unimaginable less than a decade ago is soon to be the standard. Taking this leap in technology today can ensure that your staffing firm moves with the technological times, enhancing employee productivity and saving money in the long run.