Even as MIS majors, we tend to get confused regarding what the ‘cloud’ is and/or where the ‘cloud’ is located. In simple terms, the cloud is a network of servers that stores all of your electronic content through the internet. In the past, organizations and individuals would store this content physically on their hardware. The cloud is a much more efficient, effective, and safer way to store your content. The main benefits include:
- Usability & Accessibility
- Centralized
- Disaster Recovery
- Security
- Cost Savings
- Easy Sharing & Collaboration
- Automation
- Scalable Services
- Synchronization with Multiple Platforms
- Convenience
As cloud content storage/management blows traditional hardware content storage out the water with all of its wonderful benefits, nearly all competitive organizations have transitioned their content onto the ‘cloud’. It is crucial that us soon to be new professionals, are aware of the new technology and all of its benefits that we can use to our own advantage.
Box, Inc. is the leading Cloud Content Management company that powers over 90,000 businesses and 70% of Fortune 500 Companies. That being said, there is a great chance that one day you might run into using Box at your job. Box is an excellent company to display the power of cloud technology as they utilize a lot of its capabilities. Some of Box’s extraordinary cloud technology-driven products are:
- Cloud Content Management
- IT & Admin Controls
- Security + Compliance
- Box Governance
- Box Zones: International data residency
- Box Relay: workflow made easy
- Box Shuttle: migrate to the cloud
- Box KeySafe: manage your encryption keys
- Box Skills: artificial intelligence to your content
- Automations: automate your collaborative work
- Platform: customize processes and experiences
- Integration: thousands of connected apps
Besides Box’s cloud content management being used in a business setting, you can personally use it for free through the U of A. You can have your own Individual or Team Box Drive, Box Notes, and Box Capture. In essence, Box is similar to Google Drive but on steroids with serious technology like AI and automation to really excel at collaborative work.
Overall, cloud technology enables our fast-paced, technology-driven world to work cohesively with others at any time, any place, and with any device or application. Box Inc. has become a leader in cloud content management as they bring businesses and individuals the power to use cutting-edge cloud technology on their own devices at any given moment. Box’s products and services speak for themselves as they are growing exponentially. There is a high chance that you may encounter Box in your professional career. To understand the power of cloud technology is key for businesses today as they are expected to obtain massive amounts of content securely and keep up with the latest technology in order to stay competitive.
Questions
- Have you ever used cloud content management platforms before? (Google Drive counts) If so, do you enjoy using them?
- Do you see any of the cloud content management benefits listed above being a disadvantage to businesses?
- Do you think it is smart for businesses to move all of their content on the cloud?
Box Company Website
Hi Cayla, I enjoyed your post and presentation. I think cloud content management is incredibly useful and have enjoyed using them. For all of my team work in Eller I have used google drive to collaborate and find that it makes group work much easier. My only issue is that google drive version of word and excel do not have as many functionalities as the Microsoft products so I would be interested to use Box and see if there are any additional functionalities. I have not used box in the past, but with my positive past experience with cloud content management, I already know the vast benefits and would like to use it in the future.
ReplyDeleteEmma, thank you so much! I appreciate the kind words! I have the same similar experience as you regarding using Google Drive with classmates. I love it; however, like you mentioned, it does not come with all of the features of the Microsoft Office Suite. That being said, Box Inc. is a great option as they are partnered with Google Suite. You can work directly on any Office Products through the Box cloud! Definitely check Box out, it will be worth your time! Thanks again, Emma.
DeleteLoved this article! Cloud is going to change the way we live our lives and its so important to stay ahead before we fall behind. In my day to day life with school and work I frequently use cloud platforms like google docs and I love it because you can continuously work and update with multiple people. The only thing that I've noticed to be a disadvantage with business is that with cloud technology is has become harder to "clock out" of work per se, because we have the ability to stay connected anywhere. Overall, this is a pro and a con, but business wise I think its extremely smart for businesses to be using the cloud to prevent losses in our data. Do you know of any cool up and coming things Box is doing with IoT? I can imagine they have a lot of interesting things in the works!
ReplyDeleteSim, I completely agree. This is one of the major downfalls of the cloud I consider, as well. I personally have seen for myself my parents, for example, who suffer from this never-ending work life because of technologies capabilities. It makes it harder to never be unplugged from work as they can bring all of their work home, or really anywhere. This is something the working world is going to have to learn how to deal with. I am anxious to see how it will be handled too.
DeleteOne of Box's largest partners, GE, is doing a lot with IOT. As GE is creating new products, such as refrigerators and home-lighting systems, that are linked with IOT as they are allowing their consumers to connect to their products to their devices in order to better control and have more features with their GE products. That being said, Box is helping GE with the flow and storage of their IOT information.
Thanks for the comment, Sim!
Hi Cayla, I really enjoyed your post. I find it really interesting as I think that the cloud is going to change the way we work. We see it a lot as students now with the use of Google Drive. It allows collaborative work without having to meet in person. I think that this is going to become ever more present in the business world because a lot of the times people aren't in the same office. I look forward to seeing where it goes from here.
ReplyDelete