Project management is the process of planning, organizing, and managing resources to bring about the successful completion of specific project goals and objectives.
Project management technology tools are software programs that help project managers plan, organize, and manage their projects more effectively.
There are a variety of different project management tools available on the market, each with its own unique features.
When choosing a project management tool, it is important to consider your needs and preferences. Some factors to consider include the size and complexity of your project, how many people will be working on the project, what type of communication is needed among team members, and whether or not you need access to real-time data.
What Is Cloud Technology?
Cloud technology is the term used to describe the capability of delivering software as a service over the Internet. With cloud technology, users can access software, applications, and data from anywhere in the world, provided they have an Internet connection.
So in other words, cloud computing means a type of internet-based computing, where different services are delivered to an organization’s computers and devices through the Internet.
For example, update your Facebook status. You’ve used cloud computing. Checked your bank balance on your phone?
Again you’ve been in the cloud.
Encouraging Collaboration
Cloud technology has been shown to encourage collaboration among team members. A study by the University of Central Florida found that “employees working in a virtual environment were more likely to feel they belonged to the organization, was part of a team, and had a social network” than employees who did not work in a virtual environment.
The study also found that employees who worked in a virtual environment were more likely to feel that their boss was supportive and that their job was important. This is likely due to the fact that cloud technology allows team members to easily communicate and collaborate with one another online.
Take Google Drive, for example, your teams can access, edit and share documents anytime, from anywhere. They can even work simultaneously on the same file together. Cloud-based workflow and file sharing apps help them make updates in real time and give them full visibility of their collaborations.
Cloud technology enables organizations to connect people to share information and ideas when it’s needed most. If you are working on a project across different locations, you could use cloud computing to give employees, contractors and third parties access to the same files. Using the cloud will helps businesses keep all project-related documents and information within the same workspace in order to streamline the process, allowing them to manage everything in the cloud.
For example, using Xero, you can do all your accounting using cloud technology, without having to leave your location. Have other permitted accountants and advisors open and review your inputs and records and never have to worry if they have a different version you do as the “cloud” updates live.
A Happier Workforce
When you have a more collaborative workforce (thanks to cloud technology) you also have a happier workforce. This is because it naturally inspires a sense of community within an organization, where employees are able to learn from each other and their bosses, no matter where they are.
Even remote workers, can feel a part of an organization and assist in projects thanks to cloud computing.
Automatic Software Updates
One of the best benefits of cloud computing is that the servers are off-premise, out of sight, and out of your hair. Suppliers take care of them for you and roll out regular software updates—including security updates—so you don’t have to worry about wasting time and resources maintaining the system yourself.
Cloud Software You Might Want to Try
Interested in how you can utilize the cloud in your organization? The following are a few examples of what some businesses are using today.
- TRELLO. This cloud app is used as a tool for visually organizing projects and ideas. You can view the status and progress of any project at a glance, and can switch between a list or calendar view.
- DROPBOX. Like Google Drive, Dropbox is a cloud-based file storage app. You can sync documents on your desktop quickly and collaborate within Microsoft Word and Excel.
- SLACK. This tool is used for group communication and file sharing. It’s a hybrid of an email and chats app that makes group communication easy. Whereas email is contained to only those in the conversation, if a new employee joins your company, they can read past messages and be brought up to speed much more fast. Separating conversations into different “channels” within Slack make it much easier to organize conversations compared to email.
- GOOGLE HANGOUTS. This is a chat app that can also be used for video conferencing. You can connect with anyone, anywhere, on any device for free.
- GOOGLE DRIVE. Google Drive is a cloud-based storage app that offers 15 GB of storage for free. You can access your files from anywhere and share them with others.
- MICROSOFT TEAMS. This is a cloud-based collaboration app that offers real-time communication and collaboration. You can create channels for different projects and invite others to join.
Final Thoughts
Cloud technology serves the mobile workforce and companies with multiple locations and remote employees better than on-premise solutions. Understanding the benefits of cloud collaboration, helps you to realize that its goal is to provide a natural experience of working together with your team members, no matter where you are.
When used correctly, cloud technology can improve communication, boost productivity and make it easier to manage projects. These are just a few of the benefits that businesses are seeing today.
Have you implemented any cloud solutions in your organization? If so, how have they helped you to improve the way you work? Let us know in the comments below.
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