Smart Tactics to Reduce Cloud Waste at Your Business

Cloud computing has revolutionized the way businesses operate. It offers scalability, flexibility, and cost-efficiency. But cloud services also come with a downside: cloud waste.

Cloud waste is the unnecessary spending of resources and money on cloud services. These services are often not fully utilized or optimized. About 32% of cloud spending is wasted. This can lead to budget concerns as spending
skyrockets.

But that figure also holds opportunity. It means that you can reduce nearly a third of cloud spending by optimizing how you use cloud tools.

So, how can you reduce cloud waste at your business and save money? Here are some smart tactics to consider.

Conduct a Comprehensive Cloud Audit

Before implementing any cost-cutting strategies, conduct an audit. It’s essential to have a clear understanding of your current cloud usage. Conducting a comprehensive cloud audit allows you to identify:

• Underutilized resources
• Overprovisioned instances
• Unnecessary services

Use cloud management tools to generate reports. Look at usage patterns, costs, and performance metrics. This initial assessment forms the foundation for implementing effective waste reduction tactics.

Put in Place Right-Sizing Strategies

Right-sizing involves matching your cloud resources to the actual demands of your workloads. Many businesses fall into the trap of overprovisioning. This means securing more user licenses or features than they need. This leads to increased costs and unnecessary waste.

Analyze your workload requirements and resize instances accordingly. Use tools provided by your cloud service provider. These tools can identify and adjust the capacity of instances. This ensures that you only pay for the resources you truly need.

Use Reserved Instances and Savings Plans

Cloud providers offer cost-saving options like Reserved Instances (RIs) and Savings Plans. These allow businesses to commit to a specific amount of usage. This is in exchange for discounted rates. By leveraging these options, you can significantly reduce your cloud costs over time.

Carefully analyze your workload and usage patterns. Then, determine the most cost-effective reserved capacity or savings plan. Find a plan that aligns with your business’s long-term goals.

Install Automated Scaling Policies

Dynamic workloads have a need for dynamic resource allocation. Install automated scaling policies. These ensure that your infrastructure scales up or down based on demand. This optimizes performance. It also prevents overprovisioning during periods of low activity.

Cloud services enable you to set predefined policies for scaling. Examples are AWS Auto Scaling and Autoscale in Azure. These features help ensure efficient resource utilization without manual intervention.

Track and Optimize Storage

Storage costs can accumulate quickly. This is especially true when data is not regularly reviewed and archived. Estimate your storage needs. Then, put in place lifecycle policies to automatically downsize lesser-used data such as transitioning less frequently accessed data to lower-cost storage options.

Regularly review and delete unnecessary data to free up storage space. Adopt a proactive approach to storage management. This can help you significantly reduce costs associated with data storage.

Schedule Your Cloud Resources

Schedule your cloud resources to run only when you need them. For example, turn off development, testing, or staging environments during nights and weekends. Or scale down your production environment during off-peak hours.

Use available tools to automate the scheduling of your cloud resources. Base this on automated rules and policies that you define.

Delete Unused or Orphaned Cloud Resources

Sometimes, you may forget or neglect to delete cloud resources. Resources that you no longer need or use. This can include:

• Snapshots
• Backups
• Volumes
• Load balancers
• IP addresses
• Unused accounts

These resources can accumulate over time and incur unnecessary costs. To avoid this, you should regularly audit your cloud environment. Delete any unused or orphaned resources your business is not using. You can often use cloud provider tools to find and remove these.

Weed Out Duplicate Services

Different departments in the same organization may be using duplicate services. Marketing may use one task management app, while Sales uses a different one. Centralize cloud resources and remove duplicate tools.

Having everyone use the same cloud tool for the same function can save money as well as enhance collaboration, reporting, and data integration.

Embrace Serverless Architecture

Serverless computing allows businesses to run applications without managing the underlying infrastructure. You pay only for the actual compute resources used for your processes. This eliminates the need for provisioning and maintaining servers. Which reduces both operational complexity and costs. Consider migrating suitable workloads to a serverless model. This can help you optimize resource use and cut cloud waste.

Schedule a Cloud Optimization Assessment Today!

By following these smart tactics, you can reduce cloud waste at your business as well as optimize your cloud spending. This helps you save money. You can also improve operational efficiency and environmental sustainability.

Are you struggling with expanding cloud costs? Need help identifying and removing cloud waste? Our team of cloud experts can help you.

Contact us today to schedule your assessment.

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This Article has been Republished with Permission from The Technology Press.

Technology plays a pivotal role in driving efficiency, productivity, and competitiveness. For small businesses, workforce technology modernization is both an opportunity and a challenge.

Embracing modern technology can empower small businesses. It can help them thrive in a digital era. Yet many of them don’t keep up with modernization. For example, over 30% of small businesses haven’t upgraded systems in 4+ years.

Some of the reasons SMBs don’t upgrade their tech include:

• Limited funding
• Unsure how to modernize technology
• Stuck in the “old way is fine” mentality

The benefits of upgrading technology are many. One study found the following. That 45% of businesses modernizing tech saw improved ROI for IT investments. Other important benefits include improved employee retention and decreased cybersecurity risk. Not to mention the productivity and time-saving advantages.

Is your small business looking to modernize its workforce technology? Here are some steps to get you started.

Assess Your Current Technology Landscape

The first step in any technology modernization initiative is to conduct an assessment. You need to fully understand your current technological infrastructure. Identify existing strengths and weaknesses. As well as outdated systems and areas where technology could enhance business processes. Understanding your starting point is crucial. It helps in developing a targeted and effective modernization strategy.

Align Technology Goals with Business Objectives

Technology should not be an isolated component. But rather, a strategic enabler aligned with your business goals. Clearly define how technology can support and enhance your business objectives. Whether it’s improving customer engagement. Or streamlining internal processes and expanding market reach. Ensure that your technology modernization efforts align with your overarching business vision.

Focus on Cloud Adoption

The cloud has emerged as a game-changer for businesses of all sizes. Embracing cloud technologies can offer small businesses several benefits. These include scalability, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness.

Consider migrating key applications and data to cloud platforms. This can enhance accessibility, collaboration, and data security. Cloud solutions can also simplify software updates and maintenance. This frees up resources for other strategic initiatives.

Invest in Collaborative Tools

Effective communication and collaboration are essential for small businesses. Invest in collaborative tools and platforms. These ease seamless interaction among team members, regardless of their physical location. Examples are video conferencing, project management, and document-sharing tools. These tools can enhance teamwork and productivity. This fosters a cohesive work environment even in remote or hybrid setups.

Look at Cybersecurity Measures

There is an increasing prevalence of cyber threats. So, cybersecurity should be a top priority for small businesses undergoing technology modernization. Put in place robust cybersecurity measures. Focus on protecting sensitive data and customer information. As well as your critical business assets.

Cybersecurity measures include:

• Firewalls
• Antivirus software
• Regular security updates
• Employee training
• Threat identification & response

Embrace Mobile-Friendly Solutions

In a world where mobility is paramount, adopting mobile-friendly solutions is key. Ensure that you’ve optimized business applications and platforms for mobile use. This allows employees to work efficiently from various devices. This enhances flexibility. It also accommodates the evolving expectations of the workforce. Employees value the ability to work on the go.

Look at Remote Work Options

The global shift towards remote work has accelerated. Small businesses should prepare to embrace flexible work arrangements. Modernize your technology infrastructure to support remote work options. These provide employees with the tools and connectivity they need. As well as helping them maintain productivity outside of the traditional office environment.

Consider Automation for Efficiency

Automation can significantly improve operational efficiency for small businesses. Identify repetitive, time-consuming tasks. These can often be automated to streamline workflows. Look at things like customer service chatbots and automated invoicing systems. Embracing automation can free up valuable human resources. As well as reduce the risk of errors in routine tasks.

Provide Ongoing Training and Support

Introducing new technologies requires commitment. A commitment to ongoing training and support for your workforce. Ensure that employees have the necessary skills to leverage the new tools effectively. This may involve providing training sessions. As well as creating user-friendly guides. And offering a support system to address any issues that may arise during the transition.

Watch and Adapt to Evolving Technologies

Technology is a dynamic field. Staying ahead requires a commitment to watching and adapting to emerging trends. Regularly assess the technology landscape. Work with your IT provider. We’ll help you identify new solutions that could benefit your business. A proactive approach to staying current ensures your small business remains competitive.

Need Help Upgrading Your Workforce Technology? Call us!

Workforce technology modernization is not a one-size-fits-all endeavor. It’s a strategic journey that requires careful planning. As well as alignment with business objectives. By embracing these practical strategies, small businesses can leverage technology. And use it to enhance their operational capabilities. They also position themselves for sustained success in the digital age.

Need help with workforce technology modernization? Morefield can help! Give us a call.

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This Article has been Republished with Permission from The Technology Press.

Cyber hygiene can be the difference between a detrimental data breach and business as usual for your company. At Morefield, we have decades of experience in the cybersecurity sector, and we understand the changing landscape for businesses like yours. Explore the practices you can follow to secure your operation’s digital environments and protect your private information from cybercriminals. 

Understanding Cyber Hygiene

Cyber hygiene, sometimes called cybersecurity hygiene, refers to the set of principles and protocols an organization or person uses to secure their digital landscape, including:

• Users
• Networks
• Devices
• Data

These practices are often part of a larger ongoing routine dedicated to maintaining a healthy system and keeping private information safe from unauthorized personnel and cyberattacks.

Importance of Cyber Hygiene

With a whopping 83% of organizations enduring more than one data breach in 2022, businesses must take the growing threat of a cyberattack very seriously. Without proper cyber hygiene practices, your operation risks jeopardizing sensitive information about your customers, employees, proprietary solutions, intellectual property and company financials. 

One data breach can be enough to compromise your business’s reputation, disrupt operations and harm your bottom line. 

Goals of Cyber Hygiene Practices

The primary goal of good cyber hygiene is risk management. Taking daily, precautionary measures to keep your business’s sensitive data protected against cybercriminals is essential for combating potential threats, including:

• Malware
• Ransomware
• Viruses
• Identity thieves
• Hackers

In addition to protecting your operations, maintaining proper cyber hygiene is key to staying resilient if an attack occurs.

The Effectiveness of Cyber Hygiene

Improving your business’s security posture with good cyber hygiene practices is incredibly effective for mitigating risks. According to the 2022 Microsoft Defense Report, following basic cyber hygiene practices can prevent 98% of cyberattacks aimed at your business. 

Your business can save significant time, money and energy by having your team stick with cybersecurity protocols. Additional benefits include:

• Securing your sensitive data.
• Keeping computer systems running efficiently.
• Combatting unauthorized access to private systems. 

Key Principles of Cyber Hygiene 

Cyber hygiene consists of many smaller practices intended to maintain healthy data environments that align with a few key principles:

Hardware and Software Maintenance

The hardware and software solutions your business utilizes for its operations are often major targets for cybercriminals. Addressing vulnerabilities in these systems is essential for combating unwanted threats. 

Regularly updating hardware and software can help you keep your systems up to date and equipped to handle newer dangers. Your business needs the latest protections and cybersecurity framework, including firewalls, proxy servers and patches, for the most effective risk mitigation. 

Many cyber hygiene practices revolve around securing your hardware and software as best as possible because your business relies on these systems and their data.

Employee Awareness and Training

Cybersecurity threats continue to grow and wreak havoc on organizations of all sizes. Experts predict the average annual cost of cybercrime will reach $10.5 trillion by 2025, meaning businesses must find ways to improve their cyber hygiene practices. Increasing employee awareness through comprehensive training programs is one effective method for combating cyber dangers and maintaining a secure data environment. 

Your team should understand how to identify, address and mitigate common threats. Remind them of the importance of keeping their login credentials private and inform them of the serious risks of a data breach. Help them see their essential role in maintaining cyber hygiene across your entire business.

Risk Management in Cybersecurity

The final principle of cyber hygiene is effective and comprehensive risk management solutions. The best way to secure your company’s digital network is to continuously look for new weaknesses that could make it easier for a cybercriminal to access your private data. Regular risk assessments will help you find vulnerabilities on your attack surface, allowing you to patch holes before a hacker can capitalize on them. 

Implementing Cyber Hygiene Best Practices

Explore the following best practices to boost your business’s cyber hygiene:

• Employee awareness and participation: Every team member should know how to identify common threats, like phishing emails or social engineering attacks. Consider implementing new training programs to refresh their understanding of cybersecurity best practices and new dangers to be aware of. 
• Access management: Your business should encourage every employee to use strong, unique passwords and multifactor authentication when logging into your systems. Update access controls and remove outdated credentials from your systems promptly. 
• Regular software updates and patching: Keep your operating systems and applications up-to-date with the latest cybersecurity technologies. Patch vulnerabilities as soon as possible to protect your digital landscape. 
• Firewall and network security: Always utilize firewalls to actively monitor your network traffic and block unauthorized access to your critical systems. Also, employ and maintain antivirus and anti-malware solutions to protect your digital framework against malware threats.
• Secure data backup: Back up your business’s important data regularly on- and off-site to ensure you have access to it in case a cyberattack leads to data corruption or loss. 
• Vendor and third-party risk management: Remember to assess the cybersecurity posture of any vendors or third parties prior to integrating them with your existing systems. 

Working with a cybersecurity professional can help make your business’s cyber hygiene management processes simple. 

Incorporating Cyber Hygiene in IT Strategy

Every business can benefit from prioritizing cyber hygiene in its overarching information technology (IT) strategy. The following are basic steps for maintaining a secure business environment:

1. Conduct risk assessments: Begin by assessing your IT framework to identify potential vulnerabilities and threats. Your business should do this regularly to manage all major risks.
2. Create a cybersecurity policy: Establish the goals and objectives of your cybersecurity practices. Outline the responsibilities of your team members and the procedures they should follow. 
3. Roll out employee training programs: Ensure your workers are up to date on the latest cybersecurity threats and best practices so they can make informed decisions throughout their workday. Your team should be familiar with all access controls and system update requirements. 
4. Utilize advanced threat detection systems: Implementing intrusion detection is key to stopping a hacker in their tracks and minimizing the threat. Your business can benefit from setting up these systems for ongoing cybersecurity monitoring. 
5. Determine a data backup and disaster recovery plan: Have your team back up important data regularly to decrease the chances of data loss. Also, establish and test your process for recovering data after a system failure or breach. 
6. Continuously update and improve: Your business can elevate and improve cyber hygiene by constantly refining your cybersecurity practices and IT strategy. 

Protect Your Business With Cybersecurity Solutions From Morefield

If your business needs comprehensive cybersecurity solutions, turn to the wide range of services from Morefield. With more than 75 years of industry experience, we understand the crucial measures necessary for protecting sensitive data across your digital landscape.

Our extensive cybersecurity solutions are scalable and will help protect the digital processes that are essential to your business’s success. We will guide you through cyber hygiene best practices to ensure your operations are secure.

Are you ready to get started? Contact Morefield to learn more about our IT, cloud and cybersecurity solutions today. 

We are excited to announce that we have been awarded Mitel’s Technical Excellence Badge. This honor is awarded to partners who demonstrate their expertise in the Technical Performance Index (TPI) calculation.

Mitel is the business phone trusted by nearly 4.7 million businesses worldwide, and as a Mitel Gold Partner, Morefield has the expertise and personalized support to set you up for success.

Excellence is a Core Values here at Morefield. Each day our team strives to execute Excellence with each task they undertake. Thank you Mitel for your recognition in this area!

Learn more about our partners at Mitel – https://www.mitel.com/

In today’s world, sustainability isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a necessity. Businesses around the globe are increasingly embracing eco-friendly practices. This isn’t only for the positive impact on the environment. It’s also for the benefits they can bring to the bottom line.

Sustainable technology habits are not only about reducing your carbon footprint. They’re also about improving efficiency, cutting costs, and attracting environmentally conscious customers.

“Going green” can mean saving more dollars, besides helping the planet. Below, we’ll explore several sustainable tech habits you can adopt. These are not only good for the environment but also a win for your business’s bottom line.

1. Energy-Efficient Hardware and Appliances

Investing in energy-efficient hardware and appliances can lead to significant cost savings. Especially in the long run. Energy-efficient devices consume less electricity, resulting in lower utility bills.

Consider upgrading to Energy Star-rated equipment. And using LED lighting to reduce your energy consumption. It may surprise you how fast your electric bill goes down after replacing lightbulbs.

2. Virtualization and Cloud Computing

Virtualization and cloud computing solutions can help you optimize your IT infrastructure. By consolidating servers and resources, you can reduce the number of physical devices. This leads to lower energy consumption and reduced hardware maintenance costs.

3. Remote Work and Telecommuting

Embrace remote work and telecommuting. This reduces the need for office space. It also cuts down on commuting-related emissions. Employees who work remotely also report increased job satisfaction and productivity. Both of which can positively impact your bottom line.

4. Renewable Energy Sources

Consider transitioning to renewable energy sources like solar or wind power. The initial investment may be significant. But renewable energy can lead to big savings on electricity costs. Additionally, it demonstrates your commitment to sustainability, which can attract eco-conscious customers.

5. E-Waste Recycling Programs

Put in place e-waste recycling programs. These help you properly dispose of outdated or non-functioning electronic equipment. Many electronics can be refurbished, resold, or recycled. This reduces waste and potentially generates revenue through resale.

6. Optimize Data Centers

Data centers are notorious for their high energy consumption. Optimize your data center by doing things like:

• Using energy-efficient servers
• Implementing efficient cooling systems
• Consolidating data storage to reduce power usage

7. Green Web Hosting

Choose a web hosting provider that uses renewable energy for their data centers. This reduces your website’s carbon footprint. It can also lead to improved website performance and uptime.

8. Paperless Office

Transitioning to a paperless office can save money on paper, ink, and storage costs. Use digital documents, electronic signatures, and cloud storage solutions to reduce paper usage.

Office workers spend about 6 hours a week searching for paper documents. Digitizing files allows for keyword searching. This reduces those wasted hours and improves productivity.

9. Eco-Friendly Office Supplies

Buy eco-friendly office supplies. This includes recycled paper, biodegradable pens, and reusable office products. These sustainable choices can reduce your office expenses. They also show your commitment to environmental responsibility.

10. Software Optimization

Regularly update and optimize your software to reduce system resource usage. Unnecessary background processes and inefficient code can strain your hardware. As well as increase energy consumption.

11. Remote Monitoring and Control

Install remote monitoring and control systems to manage your facility’s energy usage. This technology allows you to adjust heating, cooling, and lighting remotely. This reduces energy waste. Smart thermostats are very affordable now. That makes this an easy energy energy-efficient win.

12. Green Transportation Policies

Promote green transportation policies for employees. These might include:

• Carpooling
• Biking
• Using public transportation

Incentives like subsidies for eco-friendly commuting options can help. They promote the reduction of transportation costs for your team.

13. Sustainable Data Practices

Adopt sustainable data practices by cleaning and organizing your databases. The goal is to remove redundant or outdated information. Efficient data management reduces storage requirements and enhances data processing speed.

14. Green IT Certification

Consider pursuing green IT certifications. Such as the ISO 14001 or the Green Business Bureau certification. These certifications can improve your environmental standing and boost your company’s reputation.

15. Employee Education and Engagement

Educate your employees about sustainable tech habits. Encourage their participation in eco-friendly initiatives. Engaged employees can help identify more cost-saving opportunities.

16. Supply Chain Sustainability

Collaborate with suppliers and partners committed to sustainability. Sustainable sourcing and procurement practices can lead to cost reductions. As well as a more resilient supply chain.

17. Lifecycle Assessments

Conduct lifecycle assessments of your products and services. This helps you identify areas where you can make environmental and cost improvements. This process can help you optimize your offerings and reduce waste.

18. Green Marketing

Leverage your sustainability efforts as a selling point in your marketing campaigns. Customers are increasingly seeking out eco-conscious businesses. Promoting your sustainability can help you stand out from the competition. It can lead to increased brand loyalty and sales.

Get Help Going Green to Save Money & Help the Planet

Sustainable tech habits are not just about being environmentally responsible. They can also help your bottom line. The world has become increasingly aware of the importance of environmental responsibility. Embracing these sustainable tech habits can be a win-win for your business and the planet.

Here at Morefield, we can help you put together a sustainable tech roadmap that makes sense. Give us a call today to schedule a chat.

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This Article has been Republished with Permission from The Technology Press.