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	<title>Online Training &#38; Content Management &#187;  &#8211; Online Training &amp; Content Management</title>
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		<title>Tips for Managing Large Scale Employee Training Programs</title>
		<link>http://www.mbasecms.com.au/blog/tips-for-managing-large-scale-employee-training-programs/</link>
		<comments>http://www.mbasecms.com.au/blog/tips-for-managing-large-scale-employee-training-programs/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 15 Aug 2012 07:17:33 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Mark Carey</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Online Staff Training]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.mbasecms.com.au/blog/?p=254</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[TweetFor some time, the benefits of employee training programs have been understood and, with technological advancements leading to increased use of the Internet, technology has played a more significant role in the administration and oversight of a comprehensive learning management system. Large scale employee training programs can be effectively delivered and managed via the Net, [...]<p><a href="http://www.mbasecms.com.au/blog/tips-for-managing-large-scale-employee-training-programs/">Tips for Managing Large Scale Employee Training Programs</a> is a post from: <a href="http://www.mbasecms.com.au/blog">Online Training &amp; Content Management</a></p>
]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="tweetbutton254" class="tw_button" style="margin: 0 0 5px;float:left;margin-right:10px;"><a href="http://twitter.com/share?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mbasecms.com.au%2Fblog%2Ftips-for-managing-large-scale-employee-training-programs%2F&amp;text=Tips%20for%20Managing%20Large%20Scale%20Employee%20Training%20Programs&amp;related=&amp;lang=en&amp;count=vertical&amp;counturl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mbasecms.com.au%2Fblog%2Ftips-for-managing-large-scale-employee-training-programs%2F" class="twitter-share-button"  style="width:55px;height:22px;background:transparent url('https://www.mbasecms.com.au/blog/wp-content/plugins/wp-tweet-button/tweetn.png') no-repeat  0 0;text-align:left;text-indent:-9999px;display:block;">Tweet</a></div><p>For some time, the benefits of employee training programs have been understood and, with technological advancements leading to increased use of the Internet, technology has played a more significant role in the administration and oversight of a comprehensive <a href="http://www.mbasecms.com.au/Solutions/Stafftrainingmanagement.aspx" target="_blank">learning management system</a>. Large scale employee training programs can be effectively delivered and managed via the Net, with everything from <a href="http://www.mbasecms.com.au/Solutions/Employeeinduction.aspx">online induction</a> to data for performance reviews possible via this vehicle.</p>
<p>Here we provide an overview of four tips that support the effective management of large-scale employee training programs:</p>
<p><strong>1: Make use of the Net</strong></p>
<p>Using the Internet to manage employee training programs offers a host of benefits. First and foremost, use of a computerised system means resources such as employee time can be freed up for core work activities. Similarly, greater levels of accuracy in terms of recording and maintaining data is possible with key information easily accessible to relevant people.</p>
<p style="margin: 0; padding: 0;"><span id="more-254"></span></p>
<p><strong>2: Utilise an online induction program</strong></p>
<p>One of the best ways to ensure all new employees and partners receive a consistent and high-quality orientation to your organisation is to use an online induction program. Of course, you have control over the information they receive and the ways it is delivered, but can feel confident that all your new staff receive the same strategic information and have a sound understanding of various aspects of your company.</p>
<p>Many online induction programs allow you to utilise a range of resources and materials and even seek input and feedback from participants.</p>
<p><strong>3: Promote a culture of learning and support the development and success of employees</strong></p>
<p>If you are serious about delivering effective education and training programs, or at the very least making these accessible for your employees, it is critical that a culture is promoted in which learning is valued and encouraged. A great way to keep existing employees and to attract a high calibre of new employees is to espouse an organisational culture in which learning is consistently promoted and valued.</p>
<p>Organisations that authentically support the development and success of their employees are renowned as desirable and have great appeal to prospective employees and business partners.</p>
<p>But, what does this mean in terms of management of a large-scale employee training program? Essentially, the commitment of your organisation to ongoing professional development and learning can be promoted through the training programs you make available to employees. In many cases, staff respond well when they understand their employing organisation is interested in developing them professionally and broadening their skill base as well as offering opportunities to diversify and/or enhance practice.</p>
<p><strong>4: Ensure managers and administrators receive comprehensive training in use of a learning management system</strong></p>
<p>If you are providing a large-scale employee training program and make the wise decision to use an online management system, particular staff will need effective training in use of the learning management system. Such a system allows administrators to organise and oversee employee training, and the software that underpins the system supports managers to link employees with relevant training, qualifications, and certifications to ensure they are working at maximum efficiency.</p>
<p>Large-scale employee training programs can be managed effectively with the support of an online system. As well as supporting the induction of new employees, learning management systems can record vital information in relation to employee qualifications, skills and development, and be of great benefit when performance reviews are due.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.mbasecms.com.au/blog/tips-for-managing-large-scale-employee-training-programs/">Tips for Managing Large Scale Employee Training Programs</a> is a post from: <a href="http://www.mbasecms.com.au/blog">Online Training &amp; Content Management</a></p>
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		<title>A Short History of the Internet Revolution</title>
		<link>http://www.mbasecms.com.au/blog/a-short-history-of-the-internet-revolution/</link>
		<comments>http://www.mbasecms.com.au/blog/a-short-history-of-the-internet-revolution/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 15 Jul 2012 11:28:52 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Mark Carey</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Online Communities]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.mbasecms.com.au/blog/?p=249</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[TweetThe Internet has revolutionised many aspects of day-to-day life &#8211; from the ways we work, to how we communicate, do business, shop, and connect with others. Indeed, it is amazing to stop and think about the relatively short space of time in which the Net has brought about such significant change in our world. You [...]<p><a href="http://www.mbasecms.com.au/blog/a-short-history-of-the-internet-revolution/">A Short History of the Internet Revolution</a> is a post from: <a href="http://www.mbasecms.com.au/blog">Online Training &amp; Content Management</a></p>
]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="tweetbutton249" class="tw_button" style="margin: 0 0 5px;float:left;margin-right:10px;"><a href="http://twitter.com/share?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mbasecms.com.au%2Fblog%2Fa-short-history-of-the-internet-revolution%2F&amp;text=A%20Short%20History%20of%20the%20Internet%20Revolution&amp;related=&amp;lang=en&amp;count=vertical&amp;counturl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mbasecms.com.au%2Fblog%2Fa-short-history-of-the-internet-revolution%2F" class="twitter-share-button"  style="width:55px;height:22px;background:transparent url('https://www.mbasecms.com.au/blog/wp-content/plugins/wp-tweet-button/tweetn.png') no-repeat  0 0;text-align:left;text-indent:-9999px;display:block;">Tweet</a></div><p>The Internet has revolutionised many aspects of day-to-day life &#8211; from the ways we work, to how we communicate, do business, shop, and connect with others. Indeed, it is amazing to stop and think about the relatively short space of time in which the Net has brought about such significant change in our world.</p>
<p>You only have to consider the use of the Internet in the work environment to appreciate the magnitude of the Internet revolution, with many companies utilising its possibilities to engage with customers, promote and market themselves, and work from almost any location in the world. The Internet has created incredible freedom and new possibilities.</p>
<p style="margin: 0; padding: 0;"><span id="more-249"></span></p>
<p><strong>The Internet and new ways of working&#8230; from online induction to learning management systems:</strong></p>
<p>For employers, the Internet has enabled new ways of working and managing staff. <a href="http://www.mbasecms.com.au/Solutions/Employeeinduction.aspx">Online induction </a>programs can be effectively developed and used to provide new staff with a consistent and engaging orientation program to efficiently induct new employees into your organisation. Accurate and informative records of professional development and staff achievement are also available through online <a href="http://www.mbasecms.com.au/Solutions/Stafftrainingmanagement.aspx">learning management systems</a>, and these same systems can maintain a range of high quality and very specific education and training programs.</p>
<p>The Internet has brought us a very long way in a short time. Here is an overview of some of the most important developments of the Internet revolution:</p>
<p><strong>1957 &#8211; 1970: </strong></p>
<ul>
<li>The Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) was formed by the United States Department of Defense with the purpose of military science and technological development.</li>
<li>The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) commenced studies regarding the possibilities of sharing information via small networks linked by phone, and ARPA soon became one of MIT’s major sponsors.</li>
<li>In 1966, the first ARPANET plan was released by MIT. There was an emergence of packet switching technology, and small networks within universities began to develop.</li>
<li>ARPANET was fledgling but commissioned by the Department of Defense for network research. UCLA, Stanford Research Institute (SRI) and the University of Utah were the first official network nodes, and the first node-to-node message was transmitted from UCLA to SRI.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>1970s:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>By 1971, the addition of more nodes to the network increased the total number of nodes to 15, and NASA and Harvard were included amongst these new nodes.</li>
<li>When the University College of London and Norway’s Royal Radar Establishment joined, ARPANET officially became global.</li>
<li>By 1974, network intercommunication had become increasingly sophisticated. With the benefits of the efficient design of the Transmission Control Program (TCP), data was able to be transmitted at increased speed.</li>
<li>1976 was a significant year in that Unix was developed and the Queen prepared and sent her first email message.</li>
<li>USENET was developed in 1979 and this proved to be the leader of all networked discussion groups.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>1980s:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Transmission Control Protocol and Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) – Internet technology protocols – were developed in 1982, and this development led to one of the earliest definitions of an ‘Internet’ consisting of connected networks.</li>
<li>By 1984, the number of Internet hosts had increased to 1000 with more being added every day; in 1987, this number reached in excess of 10,000.</li>
<li>In 1985, Symbolics.com became the first registered domain name.</li>
<li>1988 saw thousands of Internet hosts affected by the first large-scale Internet worm.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>1990s:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>The World Wide Web was developed by Tim Berners-Lee and, in 1993, the annual growth of the World Wide Web was calculated as being at a massive 341,634%.</li>
<li>In 1994, ARPANET celebrated its 25th anniversary.</li>
<li>Between 1995 and 1997, RealAudio made Internet streaming technology possible. There was an emergence of dial-up systems (including CompuServe and America Online) and the internet gained strength as MCI, Microsoft and Netscape competed for supremacy in terms of www browsers. By this time, more than 70,000 mailing lists were in existence.</li>
</ul>
<p>From late 1998 to the present, the growth of the Internet has been phenomenal. In almost all parts of the world, more people use the Internet for work, social, and other purposes than ever before.</p>
<p>The Internet has unquestionably created new ways of working, engaging with organisations, and managing staff. As we progress into the future, the Internet is set to only increase in significance, capability and possibilities.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.mbasecms.com.au/blog/a-short-history-of-the-internet-revolution/">A Short History of the Internet Revolution</a> is a post from: <a href="http://www.mbasecms.com.au/blog">Online Training &amp; Content Management</a></p>
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		<title>Australian Online Sales &#8212; Why They Continue to Expand</title>
		<link>http://www.mbasecms.com.au/blog/australian-online-sales-why-they-continue-to-expand/</link>
		<comments>http://www.mbasecms.com.au/blog/australian-online-sales-why-they-continue-to-expand/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 15 Jun 2012 11:59:43 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Mark Carey</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Online Communities]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.mbasecms.com.au/blog/?p=238</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[TweetIn the last 12 months, Australian retailers have experienced tough economic times; consumers have exhibited obvious reluctance and hesitancy to spend and have shown incredible sensitivity to price. In spite of difficult times for retailers, trends show growth in the purchases made by Australians via overseas websites; as a result, many Australian retailers are now [...]<p><a href="http://www.mbasecms.com.au/blog/australian-online-sales-why-they-continue-to-expand/">Australian Online Sales &#8212; Why They Continue to Expand</a> is a post from: <a href="http://www.mbasecms.com.au/blog">Online Training &amp; Content Management</a></p>
]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="tweetbutton238" class="tw_button" style="margin: 0 0 5px;float:left;margin-right:10px;"><a href="http://twitter.com/share?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mbasecms.com.au%2Fblog%2Faustralian-online-sales-why-they-continue-to-expand%2F&amp;text=Australian%20Online%20Sales%20%26%238212%3B%20Why%20They%20Continue%20to%20Expand&amp;related=&amp;lang=en&amp;count=vertical&amp;counturl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mbasecms.com.au%2Fblog%2Faustralian-online-sales-why-they-continue-to-expand%2F" class="twitter-share-button"  style="width:55px;height:22px;background:transparent url('https://www.mbasecms.com.au/blog/wp-content/plugins/wp-tweet-button/tweetn.png') no-repeat  0 0;text-align:left;text-indent:-9999px;display:block;">Tweet</a></div><p>In the last 12 months, Australian retailers have experienced tough economic times; consumers have exhibited obvious reluctance and hesitancy to spend and have shown incredible sensitivity to price. In spite of difficult times for retailers, trends show growth in the purchases made by Australians via overseas websites; as a result, many Australian retailers are now focusing on their digital presence and strategies to appeal to online shoppers.</p>
<p><strong>It is all about the online environment:</strong></p>
<p>The push for a quality online experience being offered by Australian retailers is reflected in a range of industries and sectors. Increasingly, organisations are capitalising on the opportunities presented by digital means and the subsequent reduction of human resources and expenses. For example, in order to orientate employees thoroughly and consistently, many organisations (including government departments) are utilising <a href="http://www.mbasecms.com.au/Solutions/Employeeinduction.aspx">online induction systems</a> and using records and data maintained on <a href="http://www.mbasecms.com.au/Solutions/Stafftrainingmanagement.aspx">learning management systems</a> to inform performance reviews and appraisals.</p>
<p style="margin: 0; padding: 0;"><span id="more-238"></span></p>
<p><strong>Online retail:</strong></p>
<p>Online sales are certainly expanding in Australia; in 2012, online retail sales in this country account for 5.1 per cent of the total retail spend and, by 2015, it is predicted this figure will increase to approximately 9.5 per cent.</p>
<p>Some experts argue that greater value than 9.5 per cent is possible for online retailers. The experiences of some prominent retailers in the US and the UK show that a well-developed and executed online strategy can result in more than 15 per cent of total sales in the contemporary climate.</p>
<p><strong>What does a successful retailer of the future look like?</strong></p>
<p>It is perilous and inaccurate to assume that the most successful retailers of the future will need only to develop a robust e-commerce platform. Given the success and predicted expansion of online sales in Australia, the most successful retailers will leverage technology to complement and enhance in-store experiences and successfully engage and inspire Australians through digital avenues.</p>
<p>Simply put, the most successful online retailers currently do (and need to do) more than simply provide the basics of an online shopping experience.</p>
<p><strong>Lorna Jane:</strong>  In Australia, Lorna Jane is just one example of a company that is capitalising on the opportunities presented by digital technology and is committed to reaching customers and expanding business through social networking and social media. This is a company that appreciates the extent to which social networking can, does, and will influence purchasing decisions.</p>
<p>Lorna Jane has pioneered ‘Social Eyes’ technology, which enables people shopping in-store to take a photograph of themselves wearing Lorna Jane attire and then upload the photo to their own Facebook or Twitter page, inviting feedback from contacts. Some organisations targeting a similar market are now introducing such technology in their outlets.</p>
<p><strong>Woolworths:</strong>  Woolworths has started to introduce virtual stores in large train stations in Sydney and Melbourne. These stores stock in excess of 120 products and are, in effect, virtual stores that enable potential customers to use photographs of products marked with barcodes to select what they want. The Woolworths app installed on an Android or iPhone smartphone is used to scan codes and place and finalise an order with the Woolworths online store. For many people, this is convenience shopping at its best.</p>
<p>Online sales in Australia are expanding and will continue to expand because they offer customers unparalleled convenience, some excellent deals and prices, and a positive shopping and purchasing experience. Online sales in this country are expanding via websites, but also through social media and networking opportunities and smartphone apps.</p>
<p>It has never been easier to shop online. Australians are increasingly confident and active in shopping online and this is a trend that will almost certainly grow.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.mbasecms.com.au/blog/australian-online-sales-why-they-continue-to-expand/">Australian Online Sales &#8212; Why They Continue to Expand</a> is a post from: <a href="http://www.mbasecms.com.au/blog">Online Training &amp; Content Management</a></p>
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		<title>Using Online Resources to Help Train Staff</title>
		<link>http://www.mbasecms.com.au/blog/using-online-resources-to-help-train-staff/</link>
		<comments>http://www.mbasecms.com.au/blog/using-online-resources-to-help-train-staff/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 15 May 2012 08:53:28 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Mark Carey</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Online Staff Training]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.mbasecms.com.au/blog/?p=233</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[TweetBecause so many activities are provided via the net these days, it makes sense that staff training (or components of it) also be delivered in this way. A variety of organisations are realising that online induction can be a cost-effective way to orientate new employees and facilitate training and professional development. What are the options [...]<p><a href="http://www.mbasecms.com.au/blog/using-online-resources-to-help-train-staff/">Using Online Resources to Help Train Staff</a> is a post from: <a href="http://www.mbasecms.com.au/blog">Online Training &amp; Content Management</a></p>
]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="tweetbutton233" class="tw_button" style="margin: 0 0 5px;float:left;margin-right:10px;"><a href="http://twitter.com/share?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mbasecms.com.au%2Fblog%2Fusing-online-resources-to-help-train-staff%2F&amp;text=Using%20Online%20Resources%20to%20Help%20Train%20Staff&amp;related=&amp;lang=en&amp;count=vertical&amp;counturl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mbasecms.com.au%2Fblog%2Fusing-online-resources-to-help-train-staff%2F" class="twitter-share-button"  style="width:55px;height:22px;background:transparent url('https://www.mbasecms.com.au/blog/wp-content/plugins/wp-tweet-button/tweetn.png') no-repeat  0 0;text-align:left;text-indent:-9999px;display:block;">Tweet</a></div><p>Because so many activities are provided via the net these days, it makes sense that staff training (or components of it) also be delivered in this way. A variety of organisations are realising that <a href="http://www.mbasecms.com.au/Solutions/Employeeinduction.aspx">online induction</a> can be a cost-effective way to orientate new employees and facilitate training and professional development.</p>
<p><strong>What are the options of online resources that can be used to help train staff?</strong></p>
<p>Businesses of different types, sizes and purposes that effectively use online training options do so using some of the following approaches:</p>
<p style="margin: 0; padding: 0;"><span id="more-233"></span></p>
<p><strong>Recorded seminars.</strong> It is sometimes relevant for organisations to use online resources that they may not have created. For example, it may be relevant for an enterprise to access an existing resource that provides key information about the industry and its workings. In this situation, the organisation may repeatedly use a resource they have created or access a recorded seminar created by an external organisation. By using the internet, it is possible to record and store online seminars which can be viewed by staff at their own convenience. This strategy is quite widely and successfully used and can be incorporated as a feature of a <a href="http://www.mbasecms.com.au/Solutions/Stafftrainingmanagement.aspx">learning management system</a>.</p>
<p><strong>Online conferencing.</strong> Businesses are also making effective use of net-based tools that make it possible to share slides, documents and other things from a designated computer.</p>
<p><strong>Video conferencing and webinars.</strong> Providing onsite classes or seminars, particularly when delivered by an external trainer, can be expensive and quite difficult to coordinate. By broadcasting videos of presentations and classes, their reach can be extended to more people in more locations, while logistical problems are simultaneously minimised. When the participation of users is possible, staff learning can be enhanced and even tailored to address particular needs and concerns.</p>
<p><strong>Screencasts.</strong> It is often the case that staff can be successfully trained, inducted and supported to learn new systems, software and websites by accessing screencasts. Screencasts show videos of a computer screen and commonly include a voiceover that narrates and explains the actions the learner can see on-screen.</p>
<p><strong>E-learning.</strong> E-learning is an important and ever-growing feature of the learning management systems of many organisations. Generally, e-learning refers to modules that are packaged so that the materials can be accessed and used in different ways, providing interaction that is often unique and personalised.</p>
<p><strong>Learning management systems.</strong> A growing and effective trend is for organisations to use a learning management system when numerous topics need to be covered and an online curriculum developed and maintained. A learning management system is often renowned as one of the most productive ways to train staff and provide for ongoing learning and professional development.</p>
<p><strong>Why do online resources assist with the training of staff?</strong></p>
<p>The online training solutions that have been outlined above are beneficial in the way that they use the internet &#8211; a commonly and widely accessed resource &#8211; to make training and education possible, without a person having to leave their work location. This also saves time, money and energy, which improves productivity and efficiency.</p>
<p>Online resources can also make it possible for an individual to learn at their own pace. By accessing and completing modules as and when it is appropriate, the learning and engagement of staff can be maximised.</p>
<p>An ever-increasing number of businesses are recognising the value of web-based solutions for staff training. When online resources are used, it is completely possible to deliver a comprehensive and effective induction and professional development program for staff.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.mbasecms.com.au/blog/using-online-resources-to-help-train-staff/">Using Online Resources to Help Train Staff</a> is a post from: <a href="http://www.mbasecms.com.au/blog">Online Training &amp; Content Management</a></p>
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		<title>Content marketing</title>
		<link>http://www.mbasecms.com.au/blog/content-marketing/</link>
		<comments>http://www.mbasecms.com.au/blog/content-marketing/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 15 May 2012 00:49:58 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>markc</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Content Management Systems]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Enterprise Content Management Systems]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Social Media Marketing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.mbasecms.com.au/blog/?p=242</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[TweetEffective content marketing relies on a fresh and innovative approach to take advantage of a constantly changing business environment. Content marketing is most successful when directed specifically to a prospect’s particular needs and way of absorbing information – whether this is through traditional methods such as a direct mail out, or through social media channels [...]<p><a href="http://www.mbasecms.com.au/blog/content-marketing/">Content marketing</a> is a post from: <a href="http://www.mbasecms.com.au/blog">Online Training &amp; Content Management</a></p>
]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="tweetbutton242" class="tw_button" style="margin: 0 0 5px;float:left;margin-right:10px;"><a href="http://twitter.com/share?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mbasecms.com.au%2Fblog%2Fcontent-marketing%2F&amp;text=Content%20marketing&amp;related=&amp;lang=en&amp;count=vertical&amp;counturl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mbasecms.com.au%2Fblog%2Fcontent-marketing%2F" class="twitter-share-button"  style="width:55px;height:22px;background:transparent url('https://www.mbasecms.com.au/blog/wp-content/plugins/wp-tweet-button/tweetn.png') no-repeat  0 0;text-align:left;text-indent:-9999px;display:block;">Tweet</a></div><p>Effective content marketing relies on a fresh and innovative approach to take advantage of a constantly changing business environment. Content marketing is most successful when directed specifically to a prospect’s particular needs and way of absorbing information – whether this is through traditional methods such as a direct mail out, or through social media channels such as blogs or Twitter. You can use this content to build the content of your <a title="Web sites" href="http://mbasecms.com.au/Solutions/Websites.aspx" target="_blank">web site</a>.</p>
<p>Take advantage of the fact that consumer behaviour is evolving as we all adapt to new technologies and modes of communication. Your business’ ability to take advantage of new technologies allows you to target specifically tailored information directly to businesses likely to be interested in what you have to offer. A strategically planned campaign is more efficient, and ultimately more effective, than one which is generalised. An effective mechanism to distribute information is crucial – good quality information still needs help to find its way to the target audience. Over time, particularly with the rise of social media, you will be able to build up a solid network where not only is information channelled from your business to prospective clients, it is distributed continuously within multiple professional networks. Hence, your pool of potential customers continues to grow without the expense of a traditional ongoing marketing campaign. Moreover, people are often more likely to approach a company that has been professionally recommended by a friend or colleague, and social media is an effective (and cost-effective) way of promoting this. Whichever communication channel you use, consistently good quality, relevant content is the key and, once you build a reputation as a reliable, trustworthy source of valuable information, your job is more than half done.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.mbasecms.com.au/blog/content-marketing/">Content marketing</a> is a post from: <a href="http://www.mbasecms.com.au/blog">Online Training &amp; Content Management</a></p>
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		<title>What is Web 2.0?</title>
		<link>http://www.mbasecms.com.au/blog/what-is-web-2-0-2/</link>
		<comments>http://www.mbasecms.com.au/blog/what-is-web-2-0-2/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 15 Apr 2012 09:46:57 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Mark Carey</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Online Staff Training]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.mbasecms.com.au/blog/?p=227</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[TweetThe term ‘Web 2.0’ is increasingly used yet, while many of us gather that this has something to do with advances in technology and increased sophistication, the majority of us probably don’t have a thorough understanding of what it actually means. Here we provide an overview of what Web 2.0 is and how it will [...]<p><a href="http://www.mbasecms.com.au/blog/what-is-web-2-0-2/">What is Web 2.0?</a> is a post from: <a href="http://www.mbasecms.com.au/blog">Online Training &amp; Content Management</a></p>
]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="tweetbutton227" class="tw_button" style="margin: 0 0 5px;float:left;margin-right:10px;"><a href="http://twitter.com/share?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mbasecms.com.au%2Fblog%2Fwhat-is-web-2-0-2%2F&amp;text=What%20is%20Web%202.0%3F&amp;related=&amp;lang=en&amp;count=vertical&amp;counturl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mbasecms.com.au%2Fblog%2Fwhat-is-web-2-0-2%2F" class="twitter-share-button"  style="width:55px;height:22px;background:transparent url('https://www.mbasecms.com.au/blog/wp-content/plugins/wp-tweet-button/tweetn.png') no-repeat  0 0;text-align:left;text-indent:-9999px;display:block;">Tweet</a></div><p>The term ‘Web 2.0’ is increasingly used yet, while many of us gather that this has something to do with advances in technology and increased sophistication, the majority of us probably don’t have a thorough understanding of what it actually means. Here we provide an overview of what Web 2.0 is and how it will change and affect the ways that we use technological systems.</p>
<p><strong>Web 2.0 defined</strong></p>
<p>Web 2.0 generally refers to the intersection of web application features that increase participation in information sharing, interoperability, user-focused design and collaboration using the web.</p>
<p style="margin: 0; padding: 0;"><span id="more-227"></span></p>
<p>Essentially, a Web 2.0 site marks a change from web sites where we are limited as users to the content that has been created for us. With Web 2.0 sites, a more active experience is made available as users can more readily interact and collaborate using social media and virtual communities. Immediately, this suggests some interesting and innovative possibilities for organisations of all types, sizes and purposes. For example, <a href="http://www.mbasecms.com.au/Solutions/Employeeinduction.aspx">online induction</a> and <a href="http://www.mbasecms.com.au/Solutions/Stafftrainingmanagement.aspx">learning management systems</a> are just two areas that could be enhanced and made far more interactive through greater collaboration and virtual community participation.</p>
<p>Social networking websites, blogs, video sharing sites, web applications, hosted services, mashups and wikis are all common examples of Web 2.0 sites.</p>
<p><strong>Does Web 2.0 mean the World Wide Web is changing?</strong></p>
<p>The term Web 2.0 definitely suggests that a revamped and more advanced version of the web (and the way we use and interact with it) has arrived. However, Web 2.0 makes no reference to updates in technical specifications; instead, it refers to changes in the ways that software is developed and the experience of the Internet’s end users.</p>
<p>It is interesting to know that Tim Berners-Lee, the inventor of the World Wide Web, has called the term “a piece of jargon” because he envisaged that the net would always be “a collaborative medium, a place where we [could] all meet and read and write.”</p>
<p><strong>From where did the term Web 2.0 come?</strong></p>
<p>Darcy DiNucci, a consultant specialising in electronic information design, first used the term Web 2.0 in her article ‘Fragmented Future’ in 1999.</p>
<p>DiNucci’s use of the term is mainly relevant to web design, appearance and the ways that everyday objects interconnect with the Internet. In her article, she conveyed her understanding of the web fragmenting because of the increased use of portable web-enabled devices and environments (such as tablets and mobile phones, televisions, or within cars or public transport).</p>
<p>Since 2003, Web 2.0 conferences have been held and have proved popular with entrepreneurs, representatives of large companies and reporters and journalists specialising in technology. The keen interest in Web 2.0 seems to have been born from the fact that it is focused on community and collaboration on an unprecedented scale.</p>
<p><strong>Characteristics:</strong></p>
<p>Web 2.0 incorporates a ‘Web-as-participation’ platform. As such, users of Web 2.0 websites are able to do much more than retrieve information and respond to it passively, because they can exercise some level of control over the data they access and are encouraged to add value through their use and participation.</p>
<p>Web 2.0 is often a mysterious term. Essentially, the term relates to websites that provide a rich user experience, new possibilities for the participation of users, dynamic content, and user participation that facilitates openness, collective intelligence and opportunities for sharing.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.mbasecms.com.au/blog/what-is-web-2-0-2/">What is Web 2.0?</a> is a post from: <a href="http://www.mbasecms.com.au/blog">Online Training &amp; Content Management</a></p>
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		<title>Increasing Business Efficiency Through Technology</title>
		<link>http://www.mbasecms.com.au/blog/increasing-business-efficiency-through-technology/</link>
		<comments>http://www.mbasecms.com.au/blog/increasing-business-efficiency-through-technology/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 28 Mar 2012 09:46:09 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Mark Carey</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Online Staff Training]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.mbasecms.com.au/blog/?p=225</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[TweetAs businesses try to increase efficiency and improve profit,better  technology is often an invaluable tool. Although most businesses use information systems and automation to varying extents, almost all enterprises benefit from capitalising on the possibilities of technology and its ability to maximise efficiency in their work environment. Why computers? Few people will be surprised to [...]<p><a href="http://www.mbasecms.com.au/blog/increasing-business-efficiency-through-technology/">Increasing Business Efficiency Through Technology</a> is a post from: <a href="http://www.mbasecms.com.au/blog">Online Training &amp; Content Management</a></p>
]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="tweetbutton225" class="tw_button" style="margin: 0 0 5px;float:left;margin-right:10px;"><a href="http://twitter.com/share?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mbasecms.com.au%2Fblog%2Fincreasing-business-efficiency-through-technology%2F&amp;text=Increasing%20Business%20Efficiency%20Through%20Technology&amp;related=&amp;lang=en&amp;count=vertical&amp;counturl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mbasecms.com.au%2Fblog%2Fincreasing-business-efficiency-through-technology%2F" class="twitter-share-button"  style="width:55px;height:22px;background:transparent url('https://www.mbasecms.com.au/blog/wp-content/plugins/wp-tweet-button/tweetn.png') no-repeat  0 0;text-align:left;text-indent:-9999px;display:block;">Tweet</a></div><p>As businesses try to increase efficiency and improve profit,better  technology is often an invaluable tool. Although most businesses use information systems and automation to varying extents, almost all enterprises benefit from capitalising on the possibilities of technology and its ability to maximise efficiency in their work environment.</p>
<p><strong>Why computers?</strong></p>
<p>Few people will be surprised to learn that technology can significantly increase efficiency. The speed at which computers function, and their ability to provide up-to-date information and hold data in a convenient and mutually accessible place, all make them invaluable and heavily relied upon in many work contexts.</p>
<p style="margin: 0; padding: 0;"><span id="more-225"></span></p>
<p>For employers, there a significant  benefits to technology playing an ever-greater role in the workplace, for example in reducing the number of staff required to perform repetitive tasks and thereby freeing people up to undertake tasks that have greater impact and value. For example, many organisations, including Government departments, successfully use <a href="http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mbasecms.com.au%2FSolutions%2FEmployeeinduction.aspx&amp;sa=D&amp;sntz=1&amp;usg=AFQjCNERHHjycbyZq8c-S9X3Nk4SRbS9ew">online induction</a> as part of the orientation of new staff members. Similarly, large and small organisations use online or technology-based <a href="http://www.mbasecms.com.au/Solutions/Stafftrainingmanagement.aspx">learning management systems</a> to guide and record the professional development of staff and feed this information into performance appraisals.</p>
<p><strong>Specifically, technology can increase business efficiency through:</strong></p>
<p><strong>Increased speed</strong></p>
<p>Technology has also greatly reduced the need for staff to perform many tasks manually. As a result, simple but essential tasks such as creating reports or proof-reading documents became unnecessarily time consuming processes.</p>
<p>Although employees generally still need to enter data and type important reports and documents, computers have revolutionised other processes through wizards, databases, spelling and grammar checks and the ability to electronically send and store all sorts of documents.</p>
<p>The processing of customer transactions is also much faster, thanks to advances in technology. The rapidity with which money can be transferred, thanks to the prevalence of credit card and EFTPOS facilities, and the ability of computers to provide a business with accurate records of its financial information, has markedly helped improve efficiency. Essentially, business processes are simplified and faster, and customers enjoy an enhanced service experience.</p>
<p><strong>Timely information</strong></p>
<p>The amount and quality of information immediately available to employees is far superior today and makes it possible for staff to operate more efficiently and with more attention to the tasks that improve the business and increase profit.</p>
<p>When information is required or requested, electronic storage is invaluable, both in improving the customer’s experience and also benefitting managers charged with making important decisions.</p>
<p><strong>Management and use of time</strong></p>
<p>Business efficiency is hindered when staff spend numerous hours on tedious tasks. Effectiveness and efficiency increase when staff members and management have the time required to concentrate on major projects, such as those that offer strategic possibilities, business growth and more profit being generated.</p>
<p>Naturally, it is still necessary for some of the more mundane tasks to be carried out in spite of staff members using their time to perform higher-level activities. When technological systems comprehensively perform these functions, business owners and managers can feel confident that they will still be completed to a high standard.</p>
<p>Ultimately, if business efficiency is to be improved through the use of technology, a complete understanding of the business’s processes is required and a strategic plan developed. When such foresight and planning has occurred, a business is well positioned to raise its level of efficiency and thereby improve productivity and profitability.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.mbasecms.com.au/blog/increasing-business-efficiency-through-technology/">Increasing Business Efficiency Through Technology</a> is a post from: <a href="http://www.mbasecms.com.au/blog">Online Training &amp; Content Management</a></p>
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		<title>6 Business Software Acronyms and What They Mean</title>
		<link>http://www.mbasecms.com.au/blog/6-business-software-acronyms-and-what-they-mean/</link>
		<comments>http://www.mbasecms.com.au/blog/6-business-software-acronyms-and-what-they-mean/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 15 Feb 2012 08:33:53 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Mark Carey</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Enterprise Content Management Systems]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[enterprise content management]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Online Induction]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[what is BPM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[what is CRM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[what is ECM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[what is ERP]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[what is SCM]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.mbasecms.com.au/blog/?p=223</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[TweetIn the modern business world there is a bevy of software available that ultimately aim to help your organisation minimise costs, improve sales and increase profits. However, associated with these pieces of software are a range of often-confusing acronyms &#8212; BI, ERP, ECM, SCM, BPM, CRM. What on earth does it all mean? To make [...]<p><a href="http://www.mbasecms.com.au/blog/6-business-software-acronyms-and-what-they-mean/">6 Business Software Acronyms and What They Mean</a> is a post from: <a href="http://www.mbasecms.com.au/blog">Online Training &amp; Content Management</a></p>
]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="tweetbutton223" class="tw_button" style="margin: 0 0 5px;float:left;margin-right:10px;"><a href="http://twitter.com/share?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mbasecms.com.au%2Fblog%2F6-business-software-acronyms-and-what-they-mean%2F&amp;text=6%20Business%20Software%20Acronyms%20and%20What%20They%20Mean&amp;related=&amp;lang=en&amp;count=vertical&amp;counturl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mbasecms.com.au%2Fblog%2F6-business-software-acronyms-and-what-they-mean%2F" class="twitter-share-button"  style="width:55px;height:22px;background:transparent url('https://www.mbasecms.com.au/blog/wp-content/plugins/wp-tweet-button/tweetn.png') no-repeat  0 0;text-align:left;text-indent:-9999px;display:block;">Tweet</a></div><p>In the modern business world there is a bevy of software available that ultimately aim to help your organisation minimise costs, improve sales and increase profits. However, associated with these pieces of software are a range of often-confusing acronyms &#8212; BI, ERP, ECM, SCM, BPM, CRM. What on earth does it all mean? To make matters worse, much of the information online relating to these relatively new concepts falls into the category of benefit-driven sales copy, so even a trusty Google search is probably only going to compound your confusion instead of alleviating it. From business intelligence to <a href="http://www.mbasecms.com.au/Solutions/Stafftrainingmanagement.aspx">enterprise content management</a>, this article will help you wade through the swamp.</p>
<p><strong>1. BI (Business Intelligence)</strong></p>
<p style="margin: 0; padding: 0;"><span id="more-223"></span></p>
<p>Business intelligence is an overarching term for the processes and techniques associated with analysis of data in electronic form. It encompasses the entire analytical process, from accumulation of data through to evaluation and, eventually, display, and presents information on a range of key points of interest, from company performance to the performance of competitors and the overall market. Essentially, the goal of BI is to inform strategic decisions in relation to overall objectives.</p>
<p><strong>2. BP (Business Process Management)</strong></p>
<p>As its name would suggest, business process management is all about managing and continually optimising all processes relating to the way a business functions. For this reason, the term &#8220;process optimisation&#8221; is often used interchangeably with BPM. The overall goal of BPM is to make organisations more efficient than previously with more effective workflows and higher levels of productivity.</p>
<p><strong>3. ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning)</strong></p>
<p>A system of coordinating both internal and external information across an entire organisation. It aims to control the flow of information between all functions of a business &#8212; including finances and accounting, sales and service, supply chain management, customer relationship management and more &#8212; as well as managing any connections with external stakeholders. Most ERP systems involve a centralised database that acts as an information repository that can be accessed, with varying degrees of security clearance, across the organisation.</p>
<p><strong>4. CRM (Customer Relationship Management)</strong></p>
<p>Smaller in scope than ERP, CRM focuses exclusively on the processes that a businesses might use to coordinate communication with current and potential customers and clients. It acts as a database for customer information, and allows that information to be accessed across the organisation. The overall aim is to improve customer service, undertake targeted marketing and increase overall sales.</p>
<p><strong>5. SCM (Supply Chain Management)</strong></p>
<p>Once again smaller in scope than ERP, SCM refers to the strategic management of supplier choice and logistics. It helps coordinate communication with the supplier to make the entire process of supply chain management, from resource procurement through to end-product sale, much more efficient and effective, minimising costs and helping eliminate stock-outs and other supply chain related problems.</p>
<p><strong>6. ECM (Enterprise Content Management)</strong></p>
<p>Refers to the methods, strategies and tools that an enterprise uses in order to capture, manage, store and deliver information relating to business processes. It eliminates the need for paper documents, instead moving all of this information into a centralised electronic database. ECM systems might include <a href="http://www.mbasecms.com.au/Solutions/Employeeinduction.aspx">online induction</a>, learning management systems, company intranets and extranets, enterprise search and more.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.mbasecms.com.au/blog/6-business-software-acronyms-and-what-they-mean/">6 Business Software Acronyms and What They Mean</a> is a post from: <a href="http://www.mbasecms.com.au/blog">Online Training &amp; Content Management</a></p>
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		<title>7 Steps to a Successful Business Model</title>
		<link>http://www.mbasecms.com.au/blog/7-steps-to-a-successful-business-model/</link>
		<comments>http://www.mbasecms.com.au/blog/7-steps-to-a-successful-business-model/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 15 Jan 2012 08:29:31 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Mark Carey</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Business Streamlining Tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[business model]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[business plan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[business success]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[learning management software]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Online Induction]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[successful business model]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.mbasecms.com.au/blog/?p=221</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[TweetAt the heart of every successful business is a sound business model. But what exactly does a business model entail? Essentially, when somebody asks you about your business model, they&#8217;re asking how you plan to make money. In this article, we&#8217;ll take a look at seven questions you should ask yourself when designing a business [...]<p><a href="http://www.mbasecms.com.au/blog/7-steps-to-a-successful-business-model/">7 Steps to a Successful Business Model</a> is a post from: <a href="http://www.mbasecms.com.au/blog">Online Training &amp; Content Management</a></p>
]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="tweetbutton221" class="tw_button" style="margin: 0 0 5px;float:left;margin-right:10px;"><a href="http://twitter.com/share?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mbasecms.com.au%2Fblog%2F7-steps-to-a-successful-business-model%2F&amp;text=7%20Steps%20to%20a%20Successful%20Business%20Model&amp;related=&amp;lang=en&amp;count=vertical&amp;counturl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mbasecms.com.au%2Fblog%2F7-steps-to-a-successful-business-model%2F" class="twitter-share-button"  style="width:55px;height:22px;background:transparent url('https://www.mbasecms.com.au/blog/wp-content/plugins/wp-tweet-button/tweetn.png') no-repeat  0 0;text-align:left;text-indent:-9999px;display:block;">Tweet</a></div><p>At the heart of every successful business is a sound business model. But what exactly does a business model entail? Essentially, when somebody asks you about your business model, they&#8217;re asking how you plan to make money. In this article, we&#8217;ll take a look at seven questions you should ask yourself when designing a business model, from who comprises your target market to the need to utilise <a href="http://www.mbasecms.com.au/Solutions/Stafftrainingmanagement.aspx">learning management software</a>. But before we get into that, let&#8217;s take a brief look at what <em>not</em> to do&#8230;</p>
<p><strong>The case of the missing underpants</strong></p>
<p>There&#8217;s a famous episode of animated TV show South Park entitled &#8216;Gnomes&#8217;. In the episode, a group of tiny, rogue gnomes sneak around town, breaking into residents&#8217; houses and stealing the underpants from their drawers. When the South Park boys finally encounter the gnomes and ask them why they&#8217;re stealing everyone&#8217;s underpants, the gnomes reveal a whiteboard with their three-step business model. It reads:</p>
<p style="margin: 0; padding: 0;"><span id="more-221"></span></p>
<p>Phase 1: Collect underpants</p>
<p>Phase 2: ?</p>
<p>Phase 3: Profit</p>
<p>When the boys enquire as to the specifics of phase 2, the gnomes are at a loss. They&#8217;d yet to consider that part.</p>
<p>Ridiculous as it sounds, the episode has become famous for lampooning the complete lack of business models associated with the internet-bubble era. In their haste to take advantage of the internet boom, would-be entrepreneurs forgot the most basic part of business: the need for a solid business model. Or, as the gnomes would call it: phase 2.</p>
<p><strong>What makes a good business model?</strong></p>
<p>When designing a business model, the following seven questions should be asked:</p>
<p><strong>1. Who is your target market? </strong>That is, who are the people that you are looking to reach and serve? If you don&#8217;t know your target market or audience then you&#8217;ll be unable to correctly shape the remainder of your business plan.</p>
<p><strong>2. Where is the value?</strong> What is it about your product or service that offers value to your target customers? You may need to ask yourself, then, what sets your business apart from the rest?</p>
<p><strong>3. What channels are you using to communicate? </strong>How are you getting the word about your product or service out there? This might involve traditional methods of advertising such as print, while it should certainly involve more modern methods such as a website or social media page.</p>
<p><strong>4. Where is your cash coming from?</strong> You must have a revenue stream in order to invest and reinvest into your business. Along with understanding your audience, this question lies at the very heart of your business model.</p>
<p><strong>5. What resources will be required? </strong>It&#8217;s unlikely that you&#8217;ll be able to bring your business plan to fruition on your own. This may include physical resources, such as <a href="http://www.mbasecms.com.au/Solutions/Employeeinduction.aspx">online induction</a> and learning management software, financial resources, such as loans, and human resources, such as employees.</p>
<p><strong>6. What about partners and suppliers? </strong>As well as resources of your own, you should ask yourself whether you need to engage partners and suppliers that can complement your business model and help make it successful.</p>
<p><strong>7. How much will it all cost?</strong> The cost structure is another important question. Understanding how much you will need to invest and how much you can expect to return is key to maintaining a sound business model.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.mbasecms.com.au/blog/7-steps-to-a-successful-business-model/">7 Steps to a Successful Business Model</a> is a post from: <a href="http://www.mbasecms.com.au/blog">Online Training &amp; Content Management</a></p>
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		<title>8 Pros and Cons of Cloud Computing</title>
		<link>http://www.mbasecms.com.au/blog/8-pros-and-cons-of-cloud-computing/</link>
		<comments>http://www.mbasecms.com.au/blog/8-pros-and-cons-of-cloud-computing/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 30 Dec 2011 10:27:17 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Mark Carey</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Enterprise Content Management Systems]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cloud benefits]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cloud computing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cloud pros cons]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[enterprise content management]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Induction software]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.mbasecms.com.au/blog/?p=218</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[TweetThese days, in the business world, a lot is being made of &#8220;the cloud&#8221; &#8212; that is, the delivery of computing as a service, rather than a product. In the cloud, your organisation&#8217;s data, resources and software do not reside on servers hosted on your own premises; instead, they are hosted remotely on servers that [...]<p><a href="http://www.mbasecms.com.au/blog/8-pros-and-cons-of-cloud-computing/">8 Pros and Cons of Cloud Computing</a> is a post from: <a href="http://www.mbasecms.com.au/blog">Online Training &amp; Content Management</a></p>
]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="tweetbutton218" class="tw_button" style="margin: 0 0 5px;float:left;margin-right:10px;"><a href="http://twitter.com/share?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mbasecms.com.au%2Fblog%2F8-pros-and-cons-of-cloud-computing%2F&amp;text=8%20Pros%20and%20Cons%20of%20Cloud%20Computing&amp;related=&amp;lang=en&amp;count=vertical&amp;counturl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mbasecms.com.au%2Fblog%2F8-pros-and-cons-of-cloud-computing%2F" class="twitter-share-button"  style="width:55px;height:22px;background:transparent url('https://www.mbasecms.com.au/blog/wp-content/plugins/wp-tweet-button/tweetn.png') no-repeat  0 0;text-align:left;text-indent:-9999px;display:block;">Tweet</a></div><p>These days, in the business world, a lot is being made of &#8220;the cloud&#8221; &#8212; that is, the delivery of computing as a service, rather than a product. In the cloud, your organisation&#8217;s data, resources and software do not reside on servers hosted on your own premises; instead, they are hosted remotely on servers that are shared by many other organisations. But is this necessarily a good thing? In this article, we&#8217;ll compare the pros and cons of hosting your <a href="http://www.mbasecms.com.au/Solutions/Stafftrainingmanagement.aspx">enterprise content management</a> system in the cloud.</p>
<p><strong>Pro: There is no upfront capital investment</strong></p>
<p>When it comes to implementing an on-premises software system, you’ll need to expend a significant amount of money upfront. With cloud-based services, however, you simply pay a subscription fee to access the service, with no up-front capital investment beyond ensuring that employees have a PC with which to access the service.</p>
<p><strong>Con: It may cost more over time</strong></p>
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<p>Just because there is no up-front capital outlay doesn&#8217;t mean it&#8217;s necessarily going to work out cheaper in the long run. Ongoing subscriptions can eventually cost more than investing in initial on-premises software.</p>
<p><strong>Pro: Rapid roll-out</strong></p>
<p>With on-site software solutions, there can be a long period of installation that can lead to periods of downtime for your organisation. Cloud-based services, on the other hand, will already be up and running at the service provider&#8217;s site, so everything is ready to go from the outset.</p>
<p><strong>Con: Data may not be secure</strong></p>
<p>One of the biggest fears associated with cloud-based services is data security. If the data is being kept on your premises and handled by your IT staff, then you can be confident that it is in safe hands. With a cloud service provider, however, you&#8217;re putting your faith in the fact that the provider has appropriate security systems in place.</p>
<p><strong>Pro: Less burden on IT</strong></p>
<p>Managing your <a href="http://www.mbasecms.com.au/Solutions/Employeeinduction.aspx">induction software</a>, learning management system and other enterprise content management software on site can involve a significant number of hours by your IT staff, which can affect your bottom line. Ongoing maintenance, troubleshooting, and support will all take their toll. With cloud-based services, IT staff are freed up from the tedium of IT minutiae to focus on more important IT projects.</p>
<p><strong>Con: Inability to perform in-depth customisations</strong></p>
<p>Not all software solutions are going to be right for your organisation &#8220;straight out of the box&#8221;, so to speak. Most of the time, applications need to be tweaked and customisations need to be made to allow you to get the most out of your service. With cloud-based services, you don&#8217;t have this flexibility; however, with on-premises software solutions, your IT staff can control design and implementation.</p>
<p><strong>Pro: It&#8217;s highly scalable</strong></p>
<p>As your business grows, you&#8217;ll find yourself needing more powerful software solutions. If you&#8217;re managing your software on-site, this can involve a complete redesign of your system that often costs time and money. With cloud-based services, however, such scalability can be achieved simply by upgrading your software package.</p>
<p><strong>Con: What happens when you leave?</strong></p>
<p>If you decide to sever ties with your cloud-based provider, what happens to all your data then? After all, it&#8217;s being hosted on their servers. Even if you trust that your cloud provider will keep your data safe, the process of transferring all that data from their servers to a new server &#8212; whether on-site or through another cloud provider &#8212; is going to be time consuming and costly.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.mbasecms.com.au/blog/8-pros-and-cons-of-cloud-computing/">8 Pros and Cons of Cloud Computing</a> is a post from: <a href="http://www.mbasecms.com.au/blog">Online Training &amp; Content Management</a></p>
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