The more I discuss cloud computing with dental practitioners, the more I recognize that there’s as much dis-information floating around as there are facts you can count on.
Moving to a cloud-hosted model is a big decision. Most companies choose it for business agility and cost savings. But there are drawbacks to consider. That’s why ABELDent now features a hybrid solution: Our practice management software users can enjoy all the advantages while minimizing the risk.
To help you separate fact from fiction and support any level of migration to the cloud, I thought it might be helpful to share the truth about the most common myths:
- If our data moves to the cloud, our business will no longer have control over our technology.Not so! You still have total control over technology, but your IT department won’t have to worry about constant updates. The time they’re now spending on maintenance and software upgrades will be significantly reduced, allowing them to focus on advancing your organization’s technology and business operations.
Instead of spending your capital budget on servers, you can think strategically about reinvesting those funds into growth initiatives. (Hmm… what else could I do with those savings?)
- Keeping our data on premise is safer than in the cloud.Not so! It’s becoming increasingly clear that companies are routinely hacked without ever knowing it. Your practice may have a security expert, or use the services of a third-party professional. However, most companies can rarely assemble a team large enough to uncover and protect against the hundreds of possible alerts that come through each day.
Cloud data centres like Microsoft Azure – our proven choice – are singularly focused on security and built with scale in mind. A dedicated team maintains security at the pinnacle of industry standards, using a wide range of processes and regulatory compliance expertise, to prevent, detect and mitigate breaches.
- Corporate spies, cyber thieves and governments will have access to my data if it is in the cloud.Not so! This is a top fear about the cloud among many businesses, but it is unfounded. It’s your data, not anyone else’s. You determine access and options, rights and privacy restrictions. Strict controls and design elements prevent your data from mingling with that of other organizations. Physical access to data centres is secured and monitored continuously, and all data centre staff must follow stringent data access protocols.
A respected provider like MS Azure guarantees that your data will not be mined for advertising or for any purpose other than providing services you have paid for. If you choose to leave the service, you take your data with you.
The more I learn, the more the benefits of cloud computing make solid business sense, especially within the context of our hybrid solution for dental practitioners. As always, we’ve dedicated our development resources to making sure we address the needs, concerns and real-world priorities of our users. Read more about our Best of Both Worlds solution. And please share this with any colleagues who need help separating fact from fiction when it comes to the cloud. It’s good to be on the same page: You’ll save time by not having to argue about these myths.
