3 Hard Truths About Cloud-based Software

It’s no secret that cloud-based computing is the way of the future, and for good reason: no longer must we load massive amounts of data onto our desktop computers, hoping that an event like an electrical spike or a dodgy email won’t wipe the hard drive. The cloud, of course, isn’t a real cloud, but a metaphor for the internet and the servers and routers the net needs to run. Cloud-based software runs online and stores its data online (read more about the cloud by PCMag’s article written last month). A great example of a cloud-based suite is Microsoft Office365, which is modular in design - something we’ll discuss soon.?

There are plenty of upsides to using the cloud, such as being able to access your software from anywhere on any device, and being able to share your data with other people easily and instantly. But there are some serious considerations to take into account too, especially for workers in the private security industry who, up until now, haven’t had any software built specifically for them and their unique needs. Find out how our cloud-based suite, Rogr, is meeting those needs by providing modules that users can pick and choose from to suit their company best.

The Theory Of Evolution

Not all cloud-based software is created equal. Some are coded on the cheap, where the architecture has little flexibility. Although the software runs smoothly on the surface, it may be impossible to make even tiny changes without the entire platform crashing, ultimately costing time and money for the user. High-quality software, on the other hand, is often modular by design, so that even in the unlikely event of a crash, only that module is affected. Fixing it is far quicker, and less downtime means less inconvenience to the user.

But that’s not the best part about high-quality modular suites: they can evolve with the times. Right now your private security company may not be interested in using drones or robots to conduct inspections, but in the future it might be a possibility. Updating one module to incorporate new technology is far quicker and easier, which means the user takes less time to adjust to the new features which is a saving for their business.?

The device you’re reading this on will push updates from time to time, and it’s up to each software company to make sure that their product still runs smoothly after these new changes. The highest-quality software will be adaptable and flexible, and able to evolve along with constant device updates.

Basically, if software can evolve with new technology and changing trends, it is far more robust and will stand the test of time.

Sovereign State

How does your private security company store sensitive data, such as your clients’ private information or your staff’s personal information? Maybe you have trade secrets you wish to be kept, well… secret. Or perhaps you see the importance of keeping your chat channels secure from hacking, so that would-be thieves aren’t able to know where and how your surveillance is happening. Chances are, if you are storing data on cloud-based infrastructure and your company is sharing a server with someone else, it is vulnerable to cyber attack. The best way to protect your precious data from malicious actors is to ensure you have full access to your own server. This is not possible with most cloud-based suites: they save a lot of money when they don’t have to give you your own server.

The team at Rogr sets up a new server in your country of operations for every new account, regardless of how large or small the business is. It’s called data sovereignty, and it’s a big deal in the tech world. It ensures full privacy and security of your data, all the time, now and into the future. Long live the sovereign state of your company!

On The Money?

So, if software companies are saving loads of money by risking your data security, are those savings being passed onto you, their customer? Even if you crunched the numbers and found that your current subscription saves you a few dollars per month, those dollars won’t cover the costs of cleaning up the mess if your system is hacked and private information is sold to the wrong person. We hate to scare you, but this could be the reality of the future if you don’t have data sovereignty.?

On a less-scary note, your cloud-based subscription software is probably ripping you off in smaller ways, too: it’s almost guaranteed that you don’t use all of what you’re paying for. Forbes Magazine says that 80% of features in any typical cloud software product aren’t being used, and that nearly 30 billion US dollars’ worth of unused product goes down the drain worldwide, annually. But imagine if you could pick and choose which modules you wanted, and didn’t have to pay for the ones you wouldn’t use.?

As private security companies large and small are feeling the pinch since covid, bosses are looking for smart ways to cut costs and to stop paying for things they’re not utilising. We kept this in mind when creating Rogr, so that companies of any size can make the most out of their subscription.?

The Flexibility of Rogr

With our modular design, clients can access six basic modules for one competitive fee, and then choose add-ons that suit their business best. And when your business is ready to grow again, so can your software.?

Let’s look at the basic Rogr package and how it suits any private security business, small or large:

1. Dashboard - the module managers use to oversee patrols and manage operations.
2. My Assets - a way to securely store information about your clients and their requirements, set geo-fence proximity alerts and set asset specific point of contact in case of incidents and or emergencies.???
3. On-boarding - Lets you on-board clients, staff and security officers. Clients can be given access to their own portals for full transparency and real-time asset reports.??
4. Operations - The brain centre of Rogr, it lets you create shifts, tasks, real-time location feeds and staff/task activity insights.
5. Events - Send shift-specific push notifications to patrol officers, manage incidents and welfare checks.??
6. Reports - Graphical compliance reports for the entire business operations.?

Choose from any of the add-on options, so you’re only paying for what you need:

• Private Messaging - completely secure from third party hackers.
• Push-To-Talk function - no more relying on phone calls or two-way radios.
• Control Room - opens up your operations and command centre to team leaders (recommended for larger teams).
• Data Packs - have the flexibility to expand your cloud storage or delete historical data to free up space.
• White labelling - use your company’s logo instead of ours.
• Colour customisation - don't like our colour scheme? Choose your own.

Add-ons that we’re currently working on, available next year:

• Route optimiser?
• Drone feeds
• Live streaming

It’s safe to say that cloud-based computing is here to stay, so if you have sensitive data that needs to remain secure but is still easily-accessible for authorised personnel, it makes sense to look carefully over the subscriptions you wish to take out. It also stands to reason to find a platform with reliable, stable architecture, preferably with separate modules. Rogr strikes this balance yet still offers a competitive rate.??

ROGR will be released for public use in late March. If you’re interested in beta testing this software, or wish to register for pre-release,??visit ROGR’s website here.

Copywriting:?@Ascha Saraswat