Company 4.0 - The cloud and crafts

The cloud offers a lot of potential. It is not without reason that large tech companies rely almost exclusively on cloud technology.

In this blog post, we explain where it can help you in your trade and what questions you should ask yourself.

In addition, after reading the article, you have a better understanding of the topic Data protection in the context of the cloud.

What is the cloud?

In the end, the cloud is a server that is not in your office, but somewhere else (then called: decentralized) and provides services such as software applications, storage space and computing services.

This variant of the cloud is called “public” cloud because someone else runs it and makes it usable for customers like you. This variant is usually meant when talking about the cloud. (Other variants include the private cloud, which large companies are building up)

On the above-mentioned services, you can then access the Internet from anywhere via computer, smartphone or tablet. So less complicated than many people think - isn't it?!

The question now is: Is the cloud also something for you and your craft?

The answer is: definitely!

The cloud gives you the opportunity to enormously increase your flexibility in dealing with digital data, minimizing effort and office work and simplifying your business.

In concrete terms, this means that things like communication and office work, such as paper-heavy order processing or manual data backup, are becoming more convenient, easier and time-saving. Current craftsman software stores the data stationary on your computer. Modern cloud software, on the other hand, stores your data in a cloud so that you can also access your data from the customer or on the construction site.

Many cloud software solutions run automatic updates for you and make data backups. Clever craftsman software like plancraft can therefore also make different versions of your data available to you so that you can easily track changes. Did your colleague edit the document incorrectly? No problem thanks to the cloud, simply restore the old version.

You're already using the cloud here

If you send your messages via WhatsApp, then you are already using Facebook's cloud technology. In fact, the servers are located in California. For example, if your message has not yet been received, it will be cached in California for 30 days, otherwise the data from your chats is only on the respective devices between which the communication takes place.

Mails are also stored on cloud servers. For example, if you write your emails via Google's Gmail or Deutsche Telekom, then your emails are stored in their server centers. So you're already using cloud-based systems in your day-to-day operations.

Modern communication has therefore been using the cloud for a long time, and the result is a much faster and easier way of communication.

Goodbye to paper chaos! Retrieve mobile data

Mountains of paper on the desk, full file folders and the desperate search for that one darn note... Surely you've seen and experienced all of this before?

Order processing, including the preparation of offers and invoices in digital form and in the cloud, saves you these mountains of files. With Plancraft, for example, you can create digital folders to virtually organize, sort and retrieve your data from anywhere.

So you always have your relevant data with you. You can see that the cloud saves you work here too.

Hang up the PC and put everything away?

Thanks to the cloud, this is also a thing of the past. Because if your order processing is cloud-based, you have the advantage that created documents are automatically saved in real time during processing.

So you don't have to write the invoice from the beginning if the computer spontaneously loses the desire to work again and crashes. Thanks to this real-time synchronization with cloud servers, you can easily and conveniently pick up where you left off.

GDPR and cloud? No problem

One of the most common statements when it comes to the cloud is:

“The cloud is not secure”

As is often the case with generally valid statements, this is not true. In principle, you have to consider both data security and data protection.

Data security is about digital protection through firewalls or encryption, as well as real, physical protection (locked rooms, access controls, etc.). Especially in the area of data security, you can do the following thought experiment:

Who can possibly secure data better - IT companies that employ specially trained engineers and lawyers or you - a professional in the trade?

The issue of data protection is rightly criticized. For this reason, 2018 was tightened with the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation).

It therefore makes the most sense to use a cloud provider from Europe or Germany who is perhaps more familiar with the applicable GDPR law than American providers. This keeps your data in Germany safe and above all: demonstrably well protected. With Plancraft, for example, we operate servers in Frankfurt.

How you manage your customer data is important to you. Especially if you're using a cloud provider — whether for your website, contacts, or offers. Your partner and you should be properly coordinated with each other and, for example, have concluded AVV contracts (order processing contracts), as you are passing on customer data to the cloud provider. By signing this contract, your partner assures you that the data will be handled in accordance with the GDPR.

Do I even need a cloud solution?

Whether you need a cloud solution depends, of course, on you and your wishes and ideas for your IT infrastructure. And whether you have the time & money to set them up and maintain them yourself. To make your decision easier, we have a little help for you.

You should answer the following questions for yourself:

• How flexible do I want to be when it comes to handling data?
• Which business areas am I digitizing?
• Will I buy a license again or choose a flexible pricing model?
• Where should my data be stored?
• Is my Internet connection stable enough?

Do we bring it. Just to the point again.

The cloud offers you various advantages:

• Cost-effective and predictable. With Plancraft, for example, you have a fixed monthly price that lets you get started quickly and cheaply without directly investing €5,000
• Flexible. You have your data in the cloud and can access it from anywhere.
• Simple infrastructure. This saves a lot of time and nerves, e.g. by omitting an installation or automatic updates
• Auto-save. Good cloud solutions therefore enable audit-proof documentation.

In order for you to be able to successfully start with a cloud solution, you need a partner who you trust and who is there to help you with the transition, implementation and questions. In any case, a detailed examination is also required so that you are perfectly positioned under data protection law. If you have any questions, you can also contact us at any time: support@plancraft.de

On this blog, we want to write about topics that interest you and really help you. Tell us what's bothering you: feedback@plancraft.com

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