If Everything Is in the Cloud Does Your PC Matter? (Yes)

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If Everything Is in the Cloud Does Your PC Matter? (Yes)

All everyone has heard when it comes to technology over the last few years is that they need to move to the cloud. It’s now no longer the future of technology, it’s the present.

Any businesses that hadn’t yet fully adopted the cloud when the pandemic hit, quickly made the transition. Having data and work processes accessible from anywhere was vital to keep operations going when employees had to work from home.

During the first quarter of 2020 alone, cloud spending rose 37%.

Some of the technologies that have transitioned to the cloud include:

  • Hosted email
  • VoIP
  • Accounting and other operational software
  • Office productivity tools (like Microsoft 365)
  • And much more

Reasons the cloud has become a necessity for business operations are:

  • It keeps data safely off site and available from anywhere
  • Data and software are no longer device-dependent
  • Files and workflows are made more mobile and flexible
  • The cloud allows many businesses to operate virtually from anywhere

So, with everything now in the cloud, does that mean PC’s are no longer necessary? Not quite. And we’ll tell you why.

Why Your Computer Still Matters

Access to Cloud Tools

You can’t just access the cloud from thin air (at least not yet!), so you need to have a computer to access cloud applications and files. While smartphones and tablets can also be used, they’re less efficient in many ways.

Even if your business uses virtual desktops, you still have to have a real computer to access the interface, click, type, and do what you need to.

Ability to Work Offline

Having your workflows and files available from anywhere is great, but what if you want to work offline? There are times when the internet goes out or you just want to work in another location that might not have internet access.

In this case, you need to have your PC and applications and file copies stored on your hard drive so you’re able to access what you need without being online.

Browser-Based Apps Aren’t Always As Good as Those On Your Drive

If you’re doing everything in a browser-based workflow, you could end up with missing features or with a more difficult workflow.

Not all browser accessed versions of applications are as easy to use as those that are downloaded onto your computer’s hard drive. Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint are great examples of this, where many users find it easier to use the “offline” version rather than using the application in a browser.

There is a reason that Microsoft decided to go with a hybrid version when releasing Microsoft 365 – one that could be used offline and online. The company’s principals realized that software stored on a hard drive can often have more features because it isn’t limited to what’s possible inside a specific browser (Chrome, Edge, etc.).

You Can Often Work Faster When On PC-Based Apps

Applications that are running from your PC’s hard drive are often faster to work in than internet-based cloud apps that you’re accessing via a browser. This is why you’ll see that many cloud app providers (Slack, Trello, etc.) offer versions that are downloaded onto your computer.

You can often experience latency and lag time when working in browser-only workflows, which can put a serious dent in productivity.

Security of Sensitive Information

There are some types of information that you might not want to risk storing in a cloud application. For example, your tax returns or personal family photos.

You have much better control over file security when you store sensitive information on your computer hard drive rather than in a cloud storage application.

Even though cloud app providers work to secure their platforms, data breaches of cloud providers are becoming a commonplace occurrence. For anything that’s very sensitive, it’s safer to store it on a PC hard drive than trust it to the cloud.

Larger Work Area = Better Productivity

While you can access cloud software from a smartphone or tablet, those smaller screens and keypads can really hamper productivity.

Just the additional screen space itself can make a big difference in a workflow. Instead of having to switch between apps, like you have to do on smaller screens, a larger PC screen gives you the space to put windows up side-by-side. You also don’t have to keep zooming in just to read text or see navigation.

A PC gives you not only more screen space but also a larger keyboard area, allowing for faster typing speeds. Use of a mouse is also much more difficult (if you can at all) with a tablet or smartphone, limiting the types of activities you can do and how well you can move around an application.

Get Help With Expert PC Setup & Configuration

C Solutions offers expert setup and configuration of new computers and other hardware. We’ll ensure your cloud tools are properly synced so your entire IT ecosystem is working together efficiently.

Schedule a free consultation today! Call 407-536-8381 or reach us online.