Cloud computing is one of the hottest topics in the world of business right now. Law firms, large corporations and charitable organisations are still wrestling with huge IT bills, various technical issues and employee training at a time when the cloud provides simple and cost-effective solutions. So why are businesses reluctant to make the switch from traditional computing to the Cloud?
Self-employed individuals, small businesses and start-ups have been relatively more receptive to cloud computing — primarily because of the cost savings it can deliver. Yet larger organisations are often reticent about trusting a third party with their IT requirements. And there are several reasons why.
Loss of control
Companies and their bosses like to stay in control of every aspect of their operations. If a hard drive fails or a processor overheats, key decision makers like to know they can take charge of the repair process. Of course, this may mean calling a third-party IT firm or the in-house engineer at all hours. But at least there is something that can be done that’s completely within the influence of those who work for the company.
Cloud-based software actually offers a wide range of advantages that just aren’t possible with on-premises software. For instance, there’s no need to schedule maintenance in the Cloud, as it’s usually performed automatically. And when things do go wrong, there are contingencies and recovery procedures in place to rectify problems — often before they’ve even been noticed. These issues are taken out of the hands of people whose time is best served attending to their main duties. This demonstrates that, in most cases, the loss of control involved in switching to the Cloud actually benefits a company or organisation and is less a loss, more an important benefit, as subscribers to services such as IPzen have the luxury of concentrating on other matters.
By implementing IPzen, there’s no reason to worry about a lack of control. Regular maintenance, disaster recovery, data backups and automated updates are all performed in the background, so there’s no need to worry about them happening. In the unlikely event that something does go wrong, there’s always a real person available to deal with any emergencies.
Security concerns
There is something about storing confidential data on remote servers that makes legal practitioners very nervous. Where does this data end up? Who has access to it? What provisions are in place to stop data falling into the wrong hands? These are all questions that business leaders and lawyers alike ask themselves when setting up cloud computing systems within their organisations.
Another issue related to security is data protection, which is the legal responsibility of any business or law firm. Personal information of clients, employees and suppliers must be kept confidential and secure. This issue makes many decision makers nervous when it comes to switching to the cloud. The truth is, that data is just as safe in the cloud as it is on physical servers in an office. And in many cases, it’s actually safer in the cloud.
The latest cloud-based software has several security measures built in. In fact and in many cases, these measures are far more robust than traditional security procedures. IPzen for instance, protects data behind a password. And there is an optional in-built data encryption service available to ensure confidential information never falls into the wrong hands. There are also facilities that limit access to certain files and monitor access to the system by logged-in users. And the latest security measures are always in place, thanks to automatic updates.
Uptime and general performance
Most businesses nowadays rely heavily on their IT systems. So when software or hardware fail or don’t operate efficiently, the effects can be catastrophic to profitability, customer satisfaction and the reputation of the organisation. If a system is running slowly, or goes down regularly, this can impact on the commercial fortunes of an organisation considerably.
The fear of performance issues persuades many decision makers to stick with what they know — physical IT systems that can be ‘fixed’ by a real person. But this approach is based on the premise that IT shouldn’t fail. Many of the latest cloud-based software and services are based on the premise that things WILL go wrong from time to time. And because they’re designed with this glass-half-full approach, there are always contingency plans in place to minimise downtime.
A reluctance to commit to one supplier
Many business leaders, lawyers and company owners are concerned that signing up to a cloud-based software system will tie them into a long-term contract. But buying IT infrastructure often requires the signing of some form of time-dependent contract — whether it’s related to maintenance, a warranty or repair services.
Many cloud computing services now offer a range of fixed-term contracts. IPzen, for instance, offers one-year contracts, allowing organisations to alter their commitment and change their subscription according to the needs of their business. The advantage of switching to the Cloud is therefore twofold. Law firms can utilise powerful management software whilst maintaining the freedom to explore other options in the future.
An inability to work collaboratively
There was a time when collaborative software involved linking different computers to a single, on-premises server. The ability to allow various employees to access, update and collaborate on the same files and documents is a critical part of both customer relationship management and case management within law firms. A lot of decision makers are worried that this ability will be lost by switching to the cloud.
The latest cloud-based software systems allow access from anywhere in the world with an Internet connection. With the entry of a username and password, IPzen allows lawyers to access and update case files from anywhere, at any time — creating virtual offices when collaborating partners are thousands of miles apart.
IPzen makes switching to the cloud exceptionally easy
If your law firm is about to make the switch to the cloud for the first time, IPzen is the perfect solution. Simple user interfaces allow lawyers to manage domain names, trademarks and docketing processes from anywhere in the world. This safe and secure IP protection tool takes the hard work out of administration, so your firm can spend more time with clients.
IPzen is an online IP management software that consolidates several different processes that are used widely by intellectual property rights lawyers, including domain name management, watch services, invoicing and docketing. `
If you’re not sure whether IPzen is right for your law firm, don’t take our word for it. Contact us today to arrange a free, no-obligation online demonstration — and see for yourself how IPzen can transform your day-to-day operations.
