Cloud Software: 5 Common Concerns and How to Address Them

2 Nov 2020

Our CRM system is and has always been cloud based. The decision to develop our software exclusively to be hosted in the Cloud rather than locally installed was settled pretty much on day one.

Why? Because we believed in the benefits and future of the technology.

And that decision has paid off. The Cloud as a “place” to grow and develop our CRM system (and our business) has gone from strength to strength. Last year (2019) our own corner of the Cloud, SaaS (software as a service), was projected to grow 17% in just a single year. By 2022, the SaaS industry was projected to be worth over $151 billion!

But not everyone wants their business data in the Cloud.

If you’re one of these people, please stick with me. I’d like to go through to five most common concerns I hear from people who are trying to avoid Cloud software and storage. First, I’m going to quickly skim over my top five benefits, though.

And if, at the end of this article, you aren’t convinced, I’d really like you to give me a call or click the button in the bottom right to start chatting. This isn’t (just) to see if I can change your mind. I would be genuinely curious to know why you still see the Cloud as something to be avoided.

So let’s get started on a positive note…the benefits.

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Cloud Software Benefits

You may have noticed by now that I am a true evangelist of Cloud based software. And you might be asking yourself why I think it’s so great.

Well, I can sum it up in five simple points:

1. Scalability
2. Stability / Continuity
3. Security
4. Flexibility
5. Cost

Scalability

As your business and software needs grow, it’s easy to scale up when you’re using Cloud software. Most systems just let you click a button and add new users. And away you go.

No need to install any software. They’ll just use their existing browser. No need to get your IT manager involved. Just a bit of training and your new employee is good to go.

Stability / Continuity

Cloud systems are hosted within complex and robust data centres. The infrastructure and back up facilities mean that you can be confident that they will be there when you need them.

How can I be so sure of this?

Well, I’ve seen what has gone into building and managing our own infrastructure. The fall backs, redundancies, and general planning behind it…well, you’d be amazed by the level of detail that is covered.

Security

Along the same lines as the question of software and access continuity with Cloud services, is that of security.

The infrastructure behind the software will have complex and rigid network and physical security. Security that just isn’t practical or possible for most businesses to run on their own premises.

Add to that, the access and permissions controls that the software itself will have within it and you can see why I think Cloud systems have better security than anything you’ll have installed on a PC in your office.

Flexibility

This is the benefit that most people think of when they think about Cloud based software.

Because the software itself is not directly installed on your device and the data isn’t stored there, you can access it from basically anywhere. Picking up exactly where you left off the last time you signed in.

Taking work home with you (or suddenly transitioning to working from home), no problem. Just sign in on your personal device and you’re good to go.

Cost

In addition to all of the other benefits Cloud software can bring to your business, you can also add the fact that most of these systems are actually on par (or cheaper) than their locally installed rivals.

That’s right…you get a great system, plus all the other benefits for the same cost or less.

It’s a no brainer!

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But not everyone wants their business software and/or data in the Cloud

Still not convinced about making the jump into the Cloud?

Fair enough. You’ve got concerns, I get that…it’s an important decision, where to keep your business data.

So instead of waxing lyrical on how great the Cloud is and how much it will benefit your business, I move on to address some of the big concerns you and your team might have with using Cloud software.

Concern #1: Data Location

Here’s the big one. People want to know that their data is being held somewhere secure and reputable.

Cloud based system providers should be happy to discuss their datacentre with you, a potential customer. They may not tell you the EXACT address, but they should be able to tell you what country it is in and what security measures or certification that datacentre holds.

Knowing this information can give the members of your team with this concern great peace of mind. It can also help you make informed decisions about how your processes could be impacted by the legal requirements of those countries.

Here at OpenCRM, for example, all of our data centres (including backups) are based in the UK. In Amazon Web Service facilities down in the London area…sadly, they don’t have facilities in Yorkshire.

Concern #2: Compatibility

People will sometimes worry that Cloud software won’t be available on their device. In reality, if you can get online, you can get onto your Cloud software.

Of course there are caveats. Some much older browsers or computers will struggle or have security issues. But these are fixed with a simple browser upgrade.

In my experience, this belief comes out of the (wrong) idea that “the Cloud is modern/trendy and I’m not, so I can’t possibly have everything I need to join it.”

The whole point of the Cloud is that it can be used by everyone, everywhere, and everywhen.

(I know everywhen isn’t a word, but wouldn’t it be great if it was?)

Concern #3: Control

This is a big one! Many business owners worry that, because they don’t have complete and total control over the full infrastructure, that somehow it isn’t as safe or reliable as it would be if they did.

In reality, hosting your data in the Cloud just means that, instead of having a specific server room and dedicated member of staff in your office who manage your infrastructure, you have a top of the line facility with several dedicated people whose sole job is to keep everything running smoothly.

The lack of control is a common concern, but the security and reliability you get from having your data in the Cloud (i.e. a fully staffed and secure facility) far outweighs it.

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Concern #4: Disaster Planning and Backups

We (and other Cloud providers) have so many redundancies baked into the system to make sure that, if the worst happens, there are backups and backups of the backups (and backups of the backups of the backups) to make sure that your business doesn’t skip a beat.

I think that people want to know that, if something bad happened, they’d be able to see it happening. Not because they could do anything, but because they MIGHT be able to do something.

Having a server on premises might feel like it gives you the control over the security and safety of your data, but unless you’ve got someone whose entire job it is to make sure it is patched, updated, and backed up, in reality your data is probably a lot less secure than it would be in Cloud.

Concern #5: General Distrust

There are a number of people who have a vague unease about holding data in Cloud software. They can’t say exactly what it is that bothers them, however.

I think a lot of this comes from a distrust of some of the big name technology companies…those social media and search engine giants.

But you don’t have to deal with faceless corporations if you want to store your data (or run business software) in the Cloud.

Take us, for example. We’re based in Yorkshire, so you know we will tell you what we really think. We post pictures of our team on social media, so you can put a face to a name the next time you call in. We get to know our customers because having a laugh with someone on the other end of the line is a great way to get through an afternoon.

What I’m trying to say is this: Cloud software is dependable, secure, and powerful. It exists to help businesses grow, no matter what their size. You just have to find the right provider for you.

If you (or any of your team) have concerns that I’ve not addressed above, please do get in touch. I am more than happy to chat about this…if only so I can brag about how great our infrastructure is.