Unless there is a specific need, such as meeting the data security requirements of your industry, there aren’t many reasons left for avoiding cloud software. That's why most businesses realize cloud technology is here to stay.
In fact, major research firms like Gartner are predicting large growth from the cloud software industry over the next few years. But how does this shift to the cloud apply to workforce management (WFM) professionals? Here are six benefits of cloud-based workforce management solutions and how they can change the way you work.
1) Browser based with nothing to install – In the past, WFM analysts have sometimes needed powerful computers to efficiently manage all the data required for forecasting and scheduling. This isn’t the case anymore. With cloud-based WFM software, servers on the back end do the heavy lifting to ensure you quickly get the right schedule. There’s nothing to install, just open a browser window and get to work.
2) Log in from truly anywhere with no hassle – Working remotely with on-premise software can be a major pain. You need to access the slow VPN (virtual private network), wait for the right authentication, and then hope the system isn’t down. Instead, with cloud-based workforce management software, all of the security is handled up-front at the data center so you can sign on from anywhere. With remote work being more common, this flexibility has become more important than ever.
3) Real-time information storage – On-premise installs of software may have information storage solutions, but they usually revolve around physical backups that can be difficult to work with. With a cloud-based WFM solution, data is backed up and replicated across many different cloud instances. This way if one cloud install goes down for whatever reason, all session information can be rerouted and stored to a real-time replica of the software instance.
4) Mobile app is easy to connect – Except for unique circumstances, mobile applications for WFM software are directly linked with the primary cloud software instance. This means a browser isn’t even needed to access core information such as agent schedules, time-off requests, and more. It’s ground-breaking technology that truly changes the collaborative process of workforce teams.
5) No on-premise server management – One of the major challenges in the past with physical software installs was server management. A rep or specialist had to be on-site to push live updates or patches, and when something went wrong with the hardware you were down or delayed until it was fixed. None of these issues exist with cloud-based WFM software where the software is managed across multiple locations.
6) Software updates are pushed out in real time – Simply put, the days of preparing for a software update as a customer are a thing of the past. You don’t need to organize your data in a certain way, wait for the update to go live, and then schedule a time for the update. Instead, updates are pushed live directly from the cloud so it can be as simple as logging in and out of the software to see the latest version.
Cloud software has modernized how workforce management professionals operate on a day-to-day basis. Being able to access forecasts and schedules quickly from anywhere, as well as having a trustworthy system that is online and up-to-date at all times, makes all the difference when it comes to productivity.
