NetFlow Technologies - Cloud for Professional Service

Cloud for Professional Service

As innovative professional services firms seek new ways to enhance their service offerings to their clients and reduce risk to their partners, cloud computing and cybersecurity are the hot topics of discussion in 2018.

And while various technology advances have proven to streamline operations, provide efficient mobile computing solutions, and reduce costly network downtime for professional services firms around the world, each firm must evaluate their unique situation and the associated benefits and risks of technology investment before upgrading their work environment.

This guide will help you get started.

Increase Competition and Reduce Risk

The modern firm is mobile, efficient, and tech-savvy. Thankfully, you are no longer required to sit at a single desktop to access your critical case files, email, billing systems, and office telephones as you did in the past.

Cloud computing relies on centralized, hosted computers, servers, and phones to provide you with time-saving benefits, including:

Mobility: Access your servers, files, software, email, and telephones from a laptop or mobile device from anywhere around the world
Security: Centralizing your operations in the cloud provides redundancy, access control, and security that individual workstations cannot provide
Efficiency: Cloud computing provides flexible, scalable computing that minimizes your need to invest in expensive onsite servers and workstations that require maintenance.

Case Study: Enhancing Data With Azure!

Problem: A professional services company engaged consulting services to aid them with an integrity issue of data handling from outside recipients when documents were being sent. They were concerned this sensitive company data could be copied or forwarded for ulterior motives that could be adverse in nature to the prosperity of their business. They are currently subscribers of Office 365 and are still learning about the various features it offers. They do currently use Office Message Encryption (OME) but that only secures the data in transit. They are looking for a solution that will allow them to control the handling of data once it is distributed to external recipients but are unsure if this is possible. While they have had no reported issues of theft of data, they are looking to proactively avoid this situation altogether.

Proposed Solution: Azure Information Protection (AIP) was proposed as a solution to this need to help control the handling of data by applying customized permission templates to the data of the Office suite of applications it can be applied to. Using the different options for both what is(n't) allowed to be done with the data, expiration of usage of the data along with the granularity of designating whom and what this feature can be used for. This solution can also be used in tandem with their existing Office Message Encryption feature with the automation of mail flow rules to provide a robust secure system of in transit encryption and persistent protection of at rest data.

End Result: The client with the necessary subscription requirements already met for the availability of this feature was able to have this implemented for them. Customized templates with varying degrees of permissions were created, along with corporate branding, and the end users were able to leverage different templates for different recipient data handling needs. This solution required minimal end user time and resource investment to implement and with the end user embracement and positive welcoming feedback, has deemed the solution a huge success. They can now move forward with the comfort and confidence of knowing their data is secure and meeting the industry's standards for data security and compliance.

Empower & Secure Your Data

Gone are the days when a business must rely on multiple expensive servers and providers to manage applications like email, phone, file storage, case management software, and accounting systems.

Your technology provider can offer flexible, flat-rate solutions that reduce hardware maintenance and empower your staff, including:

File Sharing: Share files and restrict access to specific users, track views, and set time limits on accessibility, all from your mobile device, laptop, or workstation.
New Staff: Immediately restrict system access to terminated employees and counter parties, and add new users on a flexible licensing and computing plan, without having to wait for hardware deliveries, repairs, and setups.
Customized Support: Your technology provider can provide flexible support by leveraging partner relationships and worldwide engineering teams.

Is The Cloud Right For Your Firm?

There are risks to migrating to a cloud computing platform. Primarily, your network’s speed and performance relies on the internet to perform. This means that you must have a speedy internet connection or the option to upgrade at an affordable rate.

You are also relying on third party providers to maintain and protect your systems in their data centers at a level that suits your performance and risk profile.

Explore Your Opportunities

When it comes to evaluating your firm’s performance needs, cost-savings opportunities, and benefits of technology investment and leveraging cloud computing, it is all about choosing the right technology partners to help you achieve your goals.

At our firm, we leverage over 20 years of technology expertise to help your CPA firm build an action plan, risk profile, and investment roadmap to assist in your decision.