Cloud data integration – What it is and how it benefits your business

Cloud data integration – What it is and how it benefits your business

Cloud integration has completely changed how businesses approach integration and address the issues related to data silos. Cloud integration offers tremendous flexibility and scalability and has provided multiple ways for organizations to connect disparate systems. It has numerous benefits, and multiple kinds of businesses have greatly benefited from cloud integration. So, let’s understand what cloud data integration is and look at some of the benefits of using the process for your organization.

What is cloud data integration?

Cloud data integration aims to create unified data stores that can be easily and quickly accessed by all relevant users and applications. It does this by connecting various applications, systems, repositories, and IT environments to exchange and process data in real-time. Once these are connected, the data can be accessed by different devices simultaneously through the Internet.

Types and methods
Cloud integration can involve cloud-to-cloud integration, cloud-to-on-premise integration, or a combination of both. Integration can address various components of a business, including data and applications.

  • Data integration: It involves synchronizing data across repositories. This is purely a data-related connection where data can be processed, transported, and/or transferred during the process.
  • Application integration: It involves connecting different applications to get seamless functionality and interoperability. In addition to data sharing, it involves issuing requests and commands to trigger processes.

When it comes to data integration within public cloud providers or private cloud platforms, several advanced tools are available in the market. The real challenge arises when organizations need to integrate multiple public clouds, integrate legacy on-premise data systems with cloud workload, and set up hybrid cloud environments.

If there is no automation and central control for cloud data integration, administrators must manually set up the integration and check whether the data is being transferred without any error. They also need to convert data to suit the file format and data model required by the specific cloud systems. To make the cloud data integration process efficient and prevent errors, organizations use integration platforms that have pre-built connectors for several IT systems.

Benefits of cloud data integration

  • Flexibility and scalability: Integration provides the staff with several opportunities to improve processes and use new systems to increase efficiency and provide more value to customers.
  • Synchronization of data: Integration ensures that IT systems and applications are updated in real-time.
  • Automation of workflows: Data integration can automate processes that involve manually copying data or data entry tasks. You can standardize how data should be treated while transferring it across applications.
  • Elimination of duplication: IT systems generally make several copies of the same data to use it for different applications or organizational processes. Integration eliminates duplication and uses a shared data store, which reduces both storage costs and synchronization efforts.

Other benefits of cloud data integration include faster time to market; better internal communication; improved customer service, support, and retention; and increased competitive edge.

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6 reasons to switch to e-signatures

Electronic document signing software enables you to attach your signature to a document electronically. Which is to say, you won’t have to run around the office looking for a vacant printer and scanner every time you’re sent a document to sign. The process might sound complex, but it’s extremely easy and efficient. Of course, you’ll first need a good-quality scanned image of your signature. But that’s the only trip you’ll be making to the scanner for a long long time.How is it useful?Whether you’re a student jotting down class notes, an employee taking down points from a meeting, or a homemaker collating your special recipes, word or PDF documents are the go-to options. Just as easily and frequently, we’re used to attaching documents in our email. But do you ever wonder how creating and sharing documents comes so easily to us, yet we use a pen to sign? Sure, it gives an immense amount of satisfaction to scribble with a pen across the dotted lines at the end of these important-looking documents. But is that reason enough to keep dragging out the process?A couple of decades ago, electronic document signing software would have been a joke, but it’s here now, and it can make a huge difference. Here are a few benefits of using this software:Electronic signatures save you and your company the hassle of having to get prints every time a document needs to be signed. This will save the time of multiple employers, which is always beneficial as that time can be spent doing something much more productive to contribute to the organization’s growth.The software keeps track of your activity and also helps you send and receive a notification if you ever forget about a document.An electronic document signing software saves you from having to file every document you sign, as it automatically maintains a record of all your documents.Some of these software also provide you offline access to your documents and are compatible with all your devices and platforms.They are safe and secure to use anytime and anywhere. These software are encrypted, which ensures that your documents are not tampered with.Not only does an electronic signature save your time, effort, and resources, but it is also legally binding. Documents signed using an electronic document signing software have as much legal validity and acceptance as a document you sign physically.With all these benefits, why would you not want to skip the long waiting lines at the printers? Lay off the multiple trips in a day to the printer room and save on your productive time. To start with, you can check out Adobe Sign, DocuSign, Secured Signing, SignEasy, or KeepSolid Sign. These user favorite programs are sure to get you hooked to e-signatures.

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Benefits of employee evaluation software and 4 tips to choose wisely

The success of every organization is linked to its employees’ performance. Performance reviews are critical for improving employee engagement, boosting their morale, and taking the business to new heights. And this is where employee evaluation software comes in. It engages employees and streamlines administrative tasks, but choosing the right platform can be tricky as the online market is swamped with options.Let's look at some benefits of employee evaluation software and how to select the best one for your organization.BenefitsEmployee evaluation software offers tremendous advantages to both employers and employees. The solutions offered by the software can boost a company's profits and employees’ motivation. A few benefits of using this software are:Intuitive dashboard for decision makingMonitor team progressEnhanced employee productivityEliminates evaluation biasBoost in employee motivation and retentionFewer payroll errorsReduces the burden of the HR teamIncreased quality of hiringTips to make the right choiceHere’s what you need to consider when choosing an employee evaluation software for your company:Analyze the existing processYou first need to figure out why exactly you’re looking for an employee evaluation software. Is it because you're facing issues with administrative tasks, or because you’re unable to keep your employees engaged? Listing down the issues and identifying what matters most to your company can be helpful since a software cannot address all your issues. You must also identify the strengths in your current system and the unique elements that define your company’s work culture to ensure that those aspects are preserved, if not enhanced.Identify your goalsAfter you’ve analyzed the strengths and weaknesses of the existing system, you’ll know what you want to improve. But that’s not enough. You need to determine the specific and measurable goals you wish to achieve by bringing an employee evaluation software onboard. Let’s say your company’s tedious and time-consuming appraisal process is the hindrance to your company’s success. Knowing this helps you to specifically look for a platform that makes appraisals a quick and efficient process.Make a comprehensive list of the features you wantYou must know what core features the new software must include, and these features and analytics must be in line with your organizational structure. Apart from some must-haves, you must also look for add-on features that add value to your organization’s functioning. For instance, if your company follows a different process for different job levels, you must look for a software with multiple workflow features. Check the user-friendliness of the softwareThe last—but also the most important—thing to consider when choosing an employee evaluation software is its user-friendliness. Maybe one of the reasons why you’re interested in new software is that you want to make the process easier for everyone in the organization. So, you must pick a software that has a simple user interface and is easy to understand. The best way to find out whether the software is easy to use is to request a free trial. If the software is adding to the confusion, explore other options.

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