Don’t worry: Using the cloud for storing your truck scale data is much, much easier than you might expect.
“The cloud” is one of many tech terms that have slowly made it into our vocabulary over the years. Most ads talk about it in the context of storing pictures, but the cloud is much more than a virtual photo album. It’s an extremely powerful tool for keeping your industrial scale data safe and organized. Whether you run an aggregate business, a scrap yard, or a similar type of business, you can use the cloud.
What is “the cloud?”
In short, “the cloud” refers to a secure network of servers that store your data. Your email and your social media accounts, for example, live on the cloud. You don’t need to use a specific device to access them. You can log in from any computer, tablet, or smartphone.
The cloud is available for many personal needs, such as photo or video storage. But it’s excellent for business too. Keeping your truck scale data on the cloud translates to several key benefits for your business, starting with security.
Your data—and your business—is more secure.
The unfortunate truth of being a business owner is that you need to be mindful of the worst-case scenario. If you’re storing your truck scale data on one computer or in one set of file cabinets, your business is vulnerable. A virus, a power surge, or a fire could erase all your data in the blink of an eye. That type of loss can be catastrophic for your business, whether you’re in scrap, aggregate, or a similar industry.
One well-known example of a costly data loss that could have been prevented with cloud storage is the 2011 Amazon S3 outage. This was in the early days of AWS, which is now one of the leading cloud based computing platforms in the world—more than half of all software developers now rely on AWS. A massive thunderstorm caused a power outage at an Amazon data center, which resulted in the loss of a significant amount of data for many businesses and organizations that were using Amazon S3 as their primary storage solution. If these businesses and organizations had been using cloud storage, their data would have been safe and secure.
Cloud storage virtually eliminates the risk of large-scale data loss. That’s because “the cloud” stores your truck scale data far away from your actual business. Even if your computer crashes or your building gets flooded, your data will not be lost. Your transactions, customer records, and other truck scale reports are safe.
You may be wondering what happens if the server itself encounters disaster. “The cloud” does not exist on a single computer or server in Florida or Silicon Valley. Copies of your data are stored in multiple different locations and backed up constantly. So if one or even two servers fail, there’s most certainly another one with a complete copy of your data.
Manage your truck scale data and inventory from anywhere.
It can be pretty inconvenient to have all your records confined to one computer. You can’t pull reports, review transaction data, or update anyone’s record unless you’re using that specific computer.
This can be a real pain when you’re updating inventory, for example. You have to record everything manually, run back to the computer, and type it in. This takes time, and you’re always at risk of a typo or error. It’s even worse when you’re trying to work from home. If you encounter a roadblock and you need data from your system, you have to make a trip to the office.
Cloud storage changes the game entirely. When all your records are on the cloud, you can access it from any device with network or internet access. This includes desktop computers, laptops, tablets, and smartphones. All it takes is a few clicks, and your entire system is at your fingertips.
There are endless benefits to this type of flexibility:
- If you run a scrap yard or aggregate business, you can update your inventory in real time from the yard. Plus, whenever someone picks up or drops off materials, your inventory is automatically updated—instantly.
- If you manage multiple locations, you can access data for each, no matter where you are.
- You can work remotely: at home, at a coffee shop, at a ski chalet.
The cloud makes it easier to step away.
As a business owner, you may feel tethered to your business. What if you go on vacation and something happens? What if it’s something that only you can fix? What if business grinds to a halt until you’re back?
These fears are normal—but it doesn’t have to be this way. You don’t have to cut yourself off from your business when you go out of town or even when you go home. If your inventory and systems are stored on the cloud, you don’t have to coach someone through the login process over the phone. You can simply log in yourself and take a look. Whether you’re at the beach or enjoying a relaxing staycation, you always have access to your numbers.
Tap into the cloud with Scaleit iW8.
Scaleit, the leading truck scale software on the market, is proud to offer Scaleit iW8. Scaleit iW8 is a first-of-its-kind cloud-based application that grants you easy access to your data from anywhere. As long as you have your login and a connected device, your truck scale data is just a few clicks away. Scaleie iW8 also offers a proprietary customer portal, so your customers can stay connected too.
To learn more about Scaleit iW8, talk to a member of our team >