Access and Feeds

Cloud Collaboration: The Cloud Forces Users to be Innovative

By Dick Weisinger

Forbes Insights recently looked at some of the benefits of using cloud-based collaboration in the enterprise.

In the Cisco-sponsored report, the following advantages of using cloud-based collaboration tools were cited:

Accelerated Business.  Collaboration tools make businesses more efficient.  Time to market is reduced and upgrade cycles are reduced.  64 percent of businesses report say the use of these tools positively affects their ability to execute.

Breaks Down Boundaries. Communication between groups, departments, partners, and remote workers is better facilitated with cloud-based collaboration apps.  55 percent of businesses say that the cloud helps them break down barriers.  87 percent of those with CXX titles say that this is the case.
Better Business Processes. The cloud better facilitates the handling of processes like purchasing, manufacturing, marketing, sales, and technical support.  58 percent of businesses say that cloud-based apps improves their process management, while 90 percent of those with CXX titles say this is true.
Business are more Innovative. Using cloud applications spurs innovation, primarily facilitated by better sharing of information and communications with people inside and outside of the business.  59 percent of businesses cite the cloud as promoting innovation, and 93 percent of CXX titles agree.  In fact, some users responded that using the cloud makes innovation unavoidable.

Shared Technology Decisions. Cloud applications have forced IT and other parts of the business to work together more in addressing technology.

Bruce Rogers, Chief Insights officer of Forbes Media, said that “the ability to collaborate in the cloud is becoming a key driver of competitive advantage.  Leading companies are doing more to foster cloud-based collaboration — not only internally but also with an ever-wider swath of external groups including customers, suppliers, partners and even regulators.”

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