How Cloud-based Software is Saving School Budgets

It seems like the budget gods rarely smile upon schools and districts. Funding for education is the subject of much debate.  There never seems to be enough to go around, leaving everyone — teachers, parents, and even students themselves — frustrated. Still, districts and schools find a way to make the educational experience a great one for their students. Now more than ever, there are many options for solutions in education, even when facing budgeting issues. In recent years, technology has driven innovative, efficient and affordable means for schools to make magic despite limitations. One of the main factors behind this? Cloud-based software. 

What is the cloud?

The cloud is one of those terms that seems to have appeared one day and then become so common that you might start to feel like you’re the only one that isn’t quite sure what it means (don’t worry, you’re not alone). Simply put, the cloud is shorthand for software and services that run on the internet instead of on your computer. 

The process is so seamless that the user doesn’t even think about the fact that the results they’re seeing (documents, audio files, videos) don’t come from the device they’re using. The storage of information is almost limitless, because it’s not confined to the space available on your device. 

What is cloud-based software?

In the past you bought software in person. This required physically going to a store, buying a box, going back to your computer, inserting the disc and installing the application. If you had any issues, you would call the number on the box and the person on the other end would talk you through them and then you could finally use the program you bought.  

Today, cloud software allows users to buy access to software anywhere that’s running in the cloud. The software is powered by your computer, with a little extra help. The collective processing power, memory, and storage of the computing resources of the cloud, all connect to you via the internet. 

No worrying about system requirements, troubleshooting, or anything else – just the ability to purchase a program or service on demand. Ya gotta love technology! 

What are the advantages to cloud software?

In some ways cloud software is a bit like having a membership at a warehouse wholesaler. They are able to offer your favorite popcorn at a price your local supermarket can’t come close to touching simply because they buy so much of it, passing their savings along to you. 

Cloud providers do the same thing with computing power. It’s usually offered in a pay-as-you-go plan or a subscription at rates way lower than what the cost would be to purchase software and manage it. No worrying about the space of all that computing power and it’s upkeep, because it’s all in the cloud! Some of its other advantages include: 

• Easy access. Cloud Software is easily accessible from all types of devices. Anywhere, at any time.
• Backups and Redundancy. The cloud is unaffected in the event a user device goes down. No files or information is lost!
• Collaboration. Since software is accessible from all types of devices, even at the same time,  there are plenty of opportunities for staff and classroom collaboration.
• Continuity. Gone are the days when schools had to cycle through outdated equipment. Accessing cloud software doesn’t require users to have ever more state-of-the-art devices. 
• Security. Cloud providers go to great efforts to make sure information is safe, secure, and reliable.
• Reduced Costs. Besides not having to constantly buy new hardware, cloud solutions allow schools and districts to save money on licenses, power, and support.

Although it seems to have popped up out of nowhere, the idea behind cloud technology has been around since the 1960s! 

Back then, organizations would rent time-slots to use the large, expensive mainframes of the day, making the best of their budgets to get the solutions they needed. Today, that same convenience is available to schools and districts on demand, and we can help! 

At LINQ, we offer a full suite of automated workflows and storage built specifically for K‑12 schools. Connect with us today for a demonstration and we’ll show you how we can help make your life easier.