If there is one lesson learned from 2020, it was the importance of having solid Internet connections and cloud computing ability. Cloud Computing? This is the short name for web-enabled computing services and it has taken flight.

Cloud technology certainly existed prior to the COVID-19 Pandemic. But it became front and center for everything from managing our children’s educations to ordering food. Its importance was keen for collecting technical data on consumer HVAC systems.

For those of us in the HVAC Industry, this isn’t something we talk about every day. But it is a key part of our lives, both personally and professionally. You see, our world turns based on data, its retrieval, storage, and use.

Consumer Vs. Professional Cloud

The consumer cloud universe includes services like DropBox, iCloud, Google Cloud, OneDrive, and others. These virtual hard drives are accessible anywhere, any time, and from any place.

HVAC contractors can also access their management data in a similar way. Depending on what platform you use to manage your company, you and your field operatives have access to customer history, equipment lists, and service history. You can also retrieve lead tracking, system testing, and measurement data, and so much more ‘ all from any computing device.

Soaring across the Internet with cloud computing is the future.

Cloud-based systems help you streamline workflows, both in the office and the field. Some say they can even help enforce best practices, which is important in the world of High-Performance HVAC Contracting?.

Cloud Considerations

Cloud computing also provides speed, agility, and cost savings. To realize its full value, especially in the HVAC trades, requires solving several challenges. These include data gravity (ncilink.com/DataGravity), security, compliance with regulations, cost management, and the need for organizational change.

For example, if you are moving from an older business management system to a newer cloud-based approach, you must think about protecting your legacy data and transferring it smoothly to the new system. That means you need a plan, and you may need some outside help.

The Help You May Need

Cloud-based systems provided by FieldEdge and other vendors offer that help. They can provide the ability to order, setup, and implement business and service management systems in less time and with fewer headaches than in the past.

In this Issue

With that in mind, in this issue, we focus on cloud technologies that can benefit your business.

For example, take a look at David Richardson’s article on the ComfortMaxx’ data collections system for High-Performance Contracting companies (ncilink.com/CM-DR).

Also, read our story from FieldEdge on how to find and implement a service management system that uses cloud tech (ncilink.com/Fieldedge).

And though not directly related to the cloud, Daniel Squires of Vincent’s Heating and Plumbing shows how he successfully uses social media to market his high-performance contracting services (ncilink.com/SM-VHP).

Does your company soar on the wings of the Cloud? If not, maybe it’s time to think about how taking advantage of the cloud can benefit your company and further your success as you travel along the path to High-Performance HVAC Contracting.