Cloud-based software frees your computer and your conscience from managing content, allowing you to focus your time online moving forward instead of looking backward.
If your computer crashed right now how much data would you lose?
This may be a familiar story for you…
Cloud-computing is internet-based computing whereby shared resources, software and information are provided to computers and other devices on-demand, like the electricity grid. –wikipedia
Here are some examples of cloud-based complements to software that many ministry leaders use:
- Microsoft Office = Google Docs
- iPhoto =Flickr
- iTunes =Pandora, Spotify
- Outlook = Gmail
Here are a few compelling reasons to consider switching:
- Your data is SAFER if it’s stored somewhere other than your hard drive. This is counter-intuitive at first but just think for a minute about how much more vested these companies are than you at keeping their data safe–the future of their company depends on it. The future of your life does not depend on keeping your data safe even though the data means more to you (which I would also question).
- Your data can INTERACT easier if it’s “in the cloud”–Flickr is partnered with Snapfish which allows for easy editing and printing of photos
- Google docs can be shared and edited by teammates without having to email them back and forth
- YOUR computer has a much better chance at crashing than a multi-million dollar company’s servers.
What should I switch to first? I would recommend switching from Outlook to Gmail yesterday. In a blog post titled “Breaking Free of Outlook” Bernard Lunn shares:
The reason Gmail looks like a better long term way to go is quite simply mobility. I can use Gmail from anywhere. I can change PC without even thinking about conversion. I don’t need to worry about not having access to my laptop. If my laptop is stolen/lost/destroyed and I have not been totally diligent on back-ups, no worries on that score.
I would also recommend starting a Flickr account to see how you like it. The free version is great, the paid version is only $25 a year–a small price to pay for archiving your photos in a safe place.
What are your reservations about moving to cloud-based software? What help do you need in getting set up?
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
My reservation of switching from Outlook to gmail is that I have to be online to work with my gmail account. I do not pay for any kind of monthly service to allow me to do that outside of my office and home. I know there are places “everywhere” to connect – but not really EVERYwhere.
I would love a way to use gmail, but still have my emails downloaded to my computer. Any ideas?
Tim, you can also use gmail offline . Instructions here https://mail.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?answer=97535
The way that Outlook works by default in Campus Crusade, our mail is all stored on the servers and backed up daily. I conside it safer than gmail, and it’s not stored on my pc.
I use and like gmail also, but the reasons for switching are not as simple as stated here, in my opinion. Especially with the powerful searching in Windows 7 and Mac OSX, which will find Outlook messages.
Karl