{"id":3916,"date":"2018-03-05T10:00:45","date_gmt":"2018-03-05T10:00:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/?p=3916"},"modified":"2026-01-29T10:40:26","modified_gmt":"2026-01-29T10:40:26","slug":"cloud-technology-efficient","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/cloud-technology-efficient\/","title":{"rendered":"How cloud technology can make your business more efficient"},"content":{"rendered":"<header class=\"entry-header has-dark-background-color entry-header--has-illustration entry-header--has-illustration--generic\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-header__row row align-center\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-lg-7 col-xlg-6 entry-header__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"component component-single-header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-header__misc text--subtitle text--uppercase text--small\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/category\/technology-innovation\/\" class=\"entry-header__link\">Technology &amp; Innovation<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-title-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"entry-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tHow cloud technology can make your business more efficient\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"entry-header__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"single-post-details container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2018-03-05T10:00:45+00:00\">5 March, 2018<\/time><\/span><span class=\"reading-time\"> min read<\/span>\n\t\t<button\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\tclass=\"social-share-button button button--icon button--secondary js-social-share-button\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-title=\"How cloud technology can make your business more efficient\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-url=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/cloud-technology-efficient\/\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-text=\"Please read this interesting article\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__share-label\">Share<\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__copy-label\" hidden>Copy Link<\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__copy-tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\" hidden>Copied<\/span>\n\t\t<\/button>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/header>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-author has-dark-background-color alignfull\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"co-authors\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-author-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"entry-author\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/author\/alextebbs\/\">\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"40\" height=\"40\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2018\/02\/alex-tebbs-via-350x350.jpg\" class=\"entry-author__image\" alt=\"Alex Tebbs\" \/>\t\t\t\t<span class=\"entry-author__name\">Alex Tebbs<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Cloud technology has been one of the largest facilitators of efficiency for businesses. Not only does it speed up processes but employees are also benefiting from elements that improve performance and productivity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This includes efficiency from a HR perspective, with cloud systems now in place to manage <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/payroll-software\/\">payroll<\/a>, talent acquisition, data management and productivity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are five areas that you can use cloud technology for your business to improve efficiency across the board.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-1-resource-sharing\"><strong>1. Resource sharing <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>At its most basic level, business efficiency from a HR perspective has been sped up considerably by resource sharing via the cloud. It\u2019s no secret that businesses globally have become more efficient when cloud-based document sharing became standard practice&nbsp;\u2013 and yours can too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Resources relevant to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/sage-business-cloud\/people\/\">people management<\/a> such as CVs, appraisals or employee details can now be shared easily by your team. Sending documents via anything other than cloud-based software today is outdated and ineffective. Warehouses full of large storage units and filing cabinets are becoming a thing of the past.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-2-advanced-security-on-sensitive-information\"><strong>2. Advanced security on sensitive information <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The technological and security advancements in cloud technology such as end-to-end encryption ensures your firm\u2019s sensitive HR information is safe on cloud networks. This also ensures the upcoming legislation of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/gdpr-guide-small-businesses\/\">GDPR<\/a> is adhered to, aiding the protection of sensitive information through cloud systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On this point, systems such as Google Drive are now being adopted by many businesses across the board as flexible, safe and free software. By using Google Docs instead of traditional alternatives such as word processing software, for example, you will be able to make workflows more efficient as all documents are instantaneously collaborative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>From a HR perspective, this means your data collection from multiple employees at once has become a simple and efficient process. It is also commonplace for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/sage-business-cloud\/payroll\/\">payroll processes<\/a> and systems to be tracked on collaborative systems such as these.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignnone size-full wp-image-3358\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1675\" height=\"1275\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2017\/12\/GettyImages-536907925_super-1.jpg\" alt=\"Artificial intelligence and robots could make your business run more efficiently\" class=\"wp-image-3358\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2017\/12\/GettyImages-536907925_super-1.jpg 1675w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2017\/12\/GettyImages-536907925_super-1-768x585.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2017\/12\/GettyImages-536907925_super-1-1064x810.jpg 1064w, https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2017\/12\/GettyImages-536907925_super-1-1536x1169.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1675px) 100vw, 1675px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Employees can be more productive when working with cloud technology<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-3-employee-productivity\"><strong>3. Employee <\/strong><strong>productivity <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The development of advanced cloud-based communication platforms have also emerged, further facilitating people management. These systems aid productivity as all of your employees can use one platform rather than many disparate systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, the benefits of one system for phone calls, instant messaging, conferencing and video calls goes beyond just employee productivity. Cloud-based communications systems are able to manage the data that looks at how productively your employees are working.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The efficiency in an organisation is also increased by your staff being able to instantly see the availability of everyone else, putting an end to wasted phone calls trying to find those who are not available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Additionally, they give an overview on how active people are being with their computers, so members of staff can view productivity, workflow and who is available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-4-recruitment-and-talent-acquisition\"><strong>4. Recruitment and <\/strong><strong>talent <\/strong><strong>acquisition<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The ability to make video meetings and VOIP calls internationally is now the most accessible it has ever been. This is due to the increase in speed and availability of broadband globally, as well as the rise in inexpensive computers and processors that can handle more load, more efficiently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Video calling today is just as good as being in the same room as someone, meaning talent acquisition internationally bridges geographical challenges. Not only does this help you with internal communications and efficiency in the working environment, but it expands your recruitment capacity for global business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-5-payroll-and-expenses\"><strong>5. Payroll and expenses <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Cloud-based tools today support payroll and expenses. Processes that were once lengthy and tedious, such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/reduce-admin-grow-business\/\">filing your expenses<\/a> are now all sped up to excellent efficiency levels via a simple app.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Previously, you may have invested in expensive and maintenance heavy software and hardware to facilitate these processes. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/accounting-software\/\">Cloud accounting software<\/a> can reduce the need for this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Meanwhile, if you\u2019re looking to set up direct debit collections, try using systems such as <a href=\"https:\/\/gocardless.com\/\">GoCardless<\/a>, which collect direct debit in an integrated way with other cloud systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Cloud systems are widely seen as important for productivity in business goals but not seen as the heart of an efficient HR and people management policy. However, it is clear that cloud technology can be vital in facilitating more efficiency in your payroll system, performance management and talent acquisition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As cloud technology moves forward, people management will only become further integrated within these advancements. It will become something that is absolutely necessary for your business to adapt to as part of your HR structure in 2018 and beyond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"single-cta gated-content\">\n\t<div class=\"single-cta__positioner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__wrapper has-dark-background-color\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"single-cta__title h3\">The Zen Of A Connected Business<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>Want to make your sales and accounting teams more productive? You should move your financial information to the cloud. Get your free guide and find out how a change can lead to better business metrics, accurate sales info and more.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\t\thref=\"#gate-5bb04503-54ae-47d5-904f-2d54af560220\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"single-cta__button button button--primary\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>Get the guide<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1215\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Sage_BrandShootNC_Feb2024_Accountants_0789-1215x810.jpg\" class=\"single-cta__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2024\/03\/Sage_BrandShootNC_Feb2024_Accountants_0789-1215x810.jpg 1215w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 33vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"single-cta\">\n\t<div class=\"single-cta__positioner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__wrapper has-dark-background-color\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"single-cta__title h3\">Subscribe to the Sage Advice newsletter<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Join more than 500,000 UK readers and get the best business admin strategies and tactics, as well as actionable advice to help your company thrive, in your inbox every month.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\t\thref=\"#gate-b1a63862-3fa0-4a5e-bb67-c76b88bbc6b8\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"single-cta__button button button--primary\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>Subscribe now<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1073797282-1-1440x810.jpg\" class=\"single-cta__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1073797282-1-1440x810.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 33vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Cloud technology has been one of the largest facilitators of efficiency for businesses. Not only does it speed up processes but employees are also benefiting from elements that improve performance and productivity. This includes efficiency from a HR perspective, with cloud systems now in place to manage payroll, talent acquisition, data management and productivity. Here [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":529,"featured_media":3341,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_sage_video":false,"post_featured_image_hide":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[51,37,47],"business_type":[4,3],"lilypad":[],"context":[],"industry":[],"persona":[73,74],"imagine_tag":[220,91,109],"coauthors":[471],"class_list":["post-3916","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-technology-innovation","tag-cloud","tag-payroll","tag-productivity","business_type-small-business","business_type-medium-sized-business"],"sage_meta":{"region":"en-gb","author_name":"Alex Tebbs","featured_image":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2017\/12\/GettyImages-695882482_high.jpg","imagine_tags":{"220":"Accountant accounting","91":"Growing business","109":"Small business"}},"distributor_meta":false,"distributor_terms":false,"distributor_media":false,"distributor_original_site_name":"Sage Advice UK","distributor_original_site_url":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog","push-errors":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3916","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/users\/529"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3916"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3916\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/media\/3341"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3916"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3916"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3916"},{"taxonomy":"business_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/business_type?post=3916"},{"taxonomy":"lilypad","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/lilypad?post=3916"},{"taxonomy":"context","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/context?post=3916"},{"taxonomy":"industry","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/industry?post=3916"},{"taxonomy":"persona","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/persona?post=3916"},{"taxonomy":"imagine_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/imagine_tag?post=3916"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/api\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=3916"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}