Cloud working is the future, and millennials know it

Deloitte predicts that by 2025, millennials will make up 75% of the global workforce. This is the generation that has grown up with ready access to technologies that allow them to access information on the go, collaborate, and build social networks. To attract and retain these employees, companies need to step up their technological game.

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Many millennials will have grown up using Cloud services without realising it, in the form of email and social media accounts, and so will very often expect organisations to be using Cloud-based systems as standard. Not only that, many will be actively discouraged from working at a company that is not innovating its technology, and sometimes will even prioritise the availability of cloud enabled working practices over their salary:

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Here are five of the top reasons millennials support cloud working.

1) They are used to having access to information anywhere, at any time - and they like it that way.

Over recent years there has been a greater shift in the workplace towards creating a greater work/life balance for employees, and flexible working is a big part of this. One of the most common reasons cited by millennials for wanting to leave their jobs was a lack of flexibility in working practices. By adopting Cloud systems and ways of working, you empower your workforce to become more productive.

There remains a strong perception that people are most productive in the office and at their desks, but this is simply not true. Businesses need to realise that it is the person who is productive, not the device or the location. By allowing your employees to work flexibly, in the best environment for them, at a time that is most productive for them, it you can vastly increase your team's productivity.

Tools like Office 365 allow your team to securely access files and data, collaborate, and communicate from anywhere, at any time, and from any device. With Office 365, everywhere is your office, and your team can make better use of their time, such as updating documents on the cafe Wi-Fi while they are waiting for their train. Valuable time that would otherwise be wasted, suddenly becomes productive time, and believe me, those hours add up!

2) They like using a wide range of devices and systems

Millennials are tech savvy multi-taskers: A recent study has shown that on average, they switch their attention between media platforms like laptops, smart phones, tablets, and television a whopping 27 times per hour! They are used to working flexibly, on a broad range of devices and systems, and to having the information they need at their fingertips at all times.

Millennials want and expect the same user experience and functionality across every device and platform, and are quickly frustrated when this isn't possible. Office 365 offers a seamless and consistent experience across a whole range of devices, browsers and operating systems, which allows your employees to work with the device they are most comfortable working (and thus are more productive) on.

The enterprise Cloud experience allows users to work the way they want, and creates a happier and more productive working environment.

3) Generally, they trust Cloud security

Millennials aren't naive when it comes to Cloud working and its associated risks, but they understand that there are cyber security threats whatever system you are using. Many millennials would rather place their trust in the continuously updating, world class encryption and highly paid security experts at Microsoft, than in whatever legacy system is currently protecting a company’s on premise servers.

Your average business cannot compete with the wealth and resources Microsoft pours into securing, encrypting, and testing its own Cloud and technologies, and enhanced security is built into every level of their development and deployment processes. For more information, visit the Microsoft Trust Center.

While there are risks associated with Cloud usage, the majority of vulnerabilities come from human error, such as people employing poor password protection. Most of these risks can be mitigated by implementing strong internal processes and guidelines.

Trusting your data to the Microsoft Cloud is effectively like employing a team of highly trained and experienced cyber security experts who work around the clock to protect your data, and Millennials understand that.

4) They don’t want to be disrupted by updates or maintenance

Millennials are used to small, continuous updates and maintenance on their smartphones, devices, and apps, and so get frustrated by the slow and often painful updates required by legacy systems. Millennials like to be able to get things done whenever they need to, and don't like waiting around.

With subscription based Cloud models like Office 365, updates are carried out regularly, continuously, and instantly. This appeals to the always-on millennials, who can carry on with their work undisturbed, and know that they are always using the best, most up to date version of the product or service.

5) They understand what it takes to stay competitive

Millennials have grown up in a world that changes rapidly, where technologies are widely available and are constantly evolving. They understand that adaptation is the key to maintaining a competitive edge.

On a daily basis, small start-ups are disrupting their large and well-established competitors, simply by merit of being far more agile. Technology like Office 365 streamlines daily processes, simplifies and enhances collaboration and sharing, and helps your teams work more productively every hour of the day. Office 365 takes away the faff associated with administrative tasks, updates, and maintenance, giving you more time to focus on the pertinent things that will drive the success of your business.

Millennials know that the businesses who are focusing more time on the things that matter will far outstrip their competitors, and that cloud working is the way to achieve that.

Business Cloud Integration Ltd offer Cloud, SharePoint and Office 365 consultancy in Cambridge, delivering solutions that increase company productivity, streamline and automate business processes, and simplify and enhance collaborative working.

Visit our website to find out more.



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