Third sector organizations have achieved historic growth in recent years, largely due to the pandemic, which stimulated people's sense of empathy and compassion; nevertheless, these organizations continue to face numerous challenges to remain financially sustainable.
Just as in private companies, digitalization is an excellent ally to make organizations more connected, helping them stand out and develop their competitiveness.
It is no secret that in recent years, investment in technological resources has ceased to be a differentiator and has become a true urgency. After all, they are true drivers of the performance, reach, and quality of organizations' projects and actions.

By investing in assertive tools, such as the cloud, an NGO can optimize internal efficiency, integrate its team, align and organize processes, and also ensure a closer relationship with its target audience.

However, as much as migrating to the cloud brings numerous benefits such as cost reduction, flexibility, and scalability, there are some obstacles that must be overcome by third-sector institutions, and these are what we will discuss in today's article. Read on to learn more.

Challenges of migrating to the cloud in the third sector:

Financial resources

Unfortunately, a large portion of Third Sector Organizations still operate with limited resources and budgets. Due to scarcity, they fail to invest in solutions that could even generate more savings (such as the cloud), because they believe (mistakenly) that the associated costs are too high.
As much as migrating an environment to the cloud involves some costs, the truth is they should be seen as investments, since the solution optimizes teamwork, increases employee productivity, and still provides all the necessary security for operations.
Taking into account the positive return of the migration and the possibility of customization and scalability of storage volume, there is no way to say this technology is expensive.

Lack of technical knowledge

Many organizations in the Third Sector still do not have access to highly qualified IT professionals to plan and execute the migration to the cloud.
Undoubtedly, the lack of human capital makes decision-making difficult, as well as the implementation of the solution.
But the good news is that there are companies specialized in this process, like CodeBit, which besides offering complete solutions that go beyond providing resources, also provides specialized support and assists in the entire migration process, from drawing up the most appropriate strategy, to defining and managing goals and objectives.

Security and Privacy

Considering that Third Sector Organizations frequently handle sensitive data, such as information on volunteers, donors, and assisted people, it is important to ensure the security of these elements.
Due to a lack of knowledge, many managers still believe it is safer to store all this information on local servers.
But the truth is that when migrating an institution's data to the cloud, security is reinforced. After all, the cloud environment, structured by reliable providers like AWS, provides the most advanced information security technologies, which include various protection protocols, backup routines, and constant updates to ensure data protection.

Resistance to change

Finally, resistance to change is perhaps the biggest challenge for organizations. It can arise from various causes, such as fear of the unknown, attachment to the traditional, concern about migration processes, and much more.
Usually, managers fear that adopting the cloud will cause disruptions in activities, technical challenges, or even the loss of control over the systems they are used to.
But the truth is that, in the cloud, 99% of all the data, files, and systems an organization needs are made available immediately, without having to wait weeks for hardware installation.
It is also possible to rent customized resources directly from service providers, who meet requests quickly and ensure the efficiency and productivity necessary for your company to stand out in the market.

How can these challenges be overcome?

To overcome the aforementioned challenges, it is necessary to have strategic planning that involves the continuous collaboration and commitment of everyone regarding adaptation to technological changes.

In this context, the first step is to draw up a well-structured plan, capable of presenting all the benefits of migration, defining clear goals, and creating a realistic timeline for adopting the necessary mechanisms.
Furthermore, to ensure that all cloud features are properly utilized, it is interesting for the entire team of employees and volunteers to be immersed in and master the cloud environment.
Therefore, it is fundamental that they are previously trained to understand how the tools work.
It is also recommended to propose an adaptation period so the team can get used to the transition and align processes with the application of technology. Finally, but no less important, it is essential to choose an appropriate cloud provider to meet the institution's needs.
Although cloud computing providers offer a wide range of resources and tools, it is important to recognize that the journey to the cloud is not just about hiring the service.
We, at CodeBit, for example, understand that migrating to the cloud involves a continuous and dynamic process that requires comprehensive planning and constant monitoring.
If you want to understand how cloud computing can be a great ally in the daily routine of your institution, click here, access the CodeBit website, learn about our services, our team of specialists, and discover customized solutions to meet your demand.

In any case, keep an eye on the Codeblog. Soon, we will have news here.

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