The energy industry is undergoing a seismic shift. As methods of customer service evolve and infrastructure changes force a reconsideration of business models, it’s a good idea to have an ace in the hole—which cloud computing can provide. By taking advantage of cloud solutions, businesses can offload the management of data and servers, storage, networking, security, and potentially even applications.
By engaging the services of a company like Business Network Consulting, which provides IT support in Dallas TX, energy companies can change the way they approach technology, which can in turn bring vast improvements to the way they do business.
Data, silos, and efficiency
The energy industry tends to collect a great deal of data, but not all of the data is used—just stored. Cloud computing can aid in both storage security and in data analytics. Perhaps some of the data your company has been holding onto can be converted into information that will help you make beneficial business decisions, which leads to increased efficiency.
And it’s not just about data. Cloud computing helps companies to get the big picture. You’ll be able to see how different business functions integrate—and don’t communicate. This allows for a clearer view to anticipate issues and make better decisions. Silos begone.
Carbon footprint
As the conversation about climate change intensifies, the energy industry faces increasing pressure to demonstrate a reduced carbon footprint. This can take many forms.
A simple and cost-effective way to make a big difference is to convert from in-house servers and data storage to cloud computing. When businesses use cloud computing, it often involves resource pooling, or the process of cloud solution providers using their equipment to service clients. Taking this step not only results in decreased energy usage, but it also has the added benefit of easy scalability.
Regulatory scrutiny
The energy industry is subject to intense regulatory scrutiny. It’s imperative that publicly traded energy companies comply with Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) requirements, which are tied to financial disclosures.
Additionally, the energy industry must comply with FERC (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission)/NERC (North American Electric Reliability Corporation) standards. FERC/NERC compliance involves the security of cyber assets (hardware, software, and data).
Compliance with strict regulations is ordinarily made easier by adopting cloud solutions. Energy firms won’t have to reinvent the wheel to protect their information and equipment adequately.
Rely on expert guidance
Energy companies looking to migrate to cloud solutions should first seek guidance from experts who have extensive experience. The energy industry is complex and requires a thoughtful approach to cloud migration. To make the change into a business advantage, savvy business leaders know to reach out to tech specialists who can create a cloud solution that works just for your business.
BNC, which provides IT support in Dallas, TX, takes the time to get to know your company’s specific needs and tailor solutions to provide the best possible outcomes. Contact BNC for a free consultation.
