5 Reasons to Move to the Cloud
With advantages ranging from accessibility to data analysis, a cloud-based practice management solution can make it easier to operate—and grow—your practice
From how we communicate to the way we consume, nearly every avenue of modern living hinges on the internet. And it’s easy to see why: the ability to 
immediately access the information and services we need at any given time provides unprecedented convenience, reliability, and efficiency. This is the power of cloud computing, a technology that delivers on-demand resources via “the cloud.” Here, information lives across many servers housed in remote data centers—in contrast with the traditional client-server model wherein data is largely limited to local storage on devices in our possession, and dependent upon in-house IT services.
While most dental practices have embraced the digital age to some degree, many have yet to capitalize on all the cloud can offer. Switching to cloud-based dental practice management software like Patterson Dental’s Fuse opens the door to the same benefits we experience in our everyday online experiences—namely, total availability of information, at all times—plus many more. Rory Sprouse, DMD, PC, and the team at his Atlanta dental practice have been able to take advantage of many of the benefits of cloud-based software, including the accessibility it offers.
“Wherever I am—whether I’m sitting in my office at home, or sitting on my sofa, or at work in an operatory or at a technology nook at the office—it’s the same experience. And that’s really nice,” Dr. Sprouse said. “During the shutdown from COVID-19, Fuse was fantastic, because even though my team and I were all at home, it was OK.” Despite the 2-month office closure, he said, the practice was able to seamlessly handle patient communication and business processes such as patient payments and insurance fund transfers—while also working together to plan for the future. While there are many benefits of moving to the cloud, here are 5 ways it can transform the practice:
1. Accessibility
The primary benefit of making the move to the cloud is that your data is accessible from anywhere, at any time. Software like Fuse lets your team not only retrieve the same information from any connected device within the office, be it a front desk computer or chairside tablet, but also affords you the ability to access it on the go, 24/7. This is an incredible resource-saving tool for multi-location practices, as each site can view and update data and processes in real-time, without having to make a call or send an email. Now, every member of your team can easily coordinate via the cloud, whether they are rooms, miles, or even time zones apart.
2. Data Analysis
Having all the data you need on hand, when you need it, is certainly helpful, but even more so when it works for you. From patient records to office expenditures, Fuse practice management software consolidates and organizes your data in a clean, intuitive interface, without the need to run reports and aggregate the data yourself. Moreover, the technology delivers helpful analytics in the form of practice insights, so you can immediately identify growth opportunities and strategize for optimal operational efficiency going forward.
3. Data Storage
Historically, the amount of data we could store was limited by the size of our computer’s hard drive. Attaining more space meant deleting old records to make room for new ones, buying additional physical storage, or even purchasing an entirely new machine. Thanks to the cloud, however, there’s no need to spend an excess of money or sacrifice valuable office space. This technology provides virtually unlimited storage at a remarkably low price.
4. Data Safety
Whether a fire, flood, or simply a faulty hard drive or missed backup, unforeseen disasters can strike at any time and take your precious practice data with it. Cloud-based software like Patterson’s Fuse alleviates these concerns by ensuring that your information is always backed up off-site. This also means no more manual, in-office backups or associated system down-time. Fuse also helps support HIPAA Compliance efforts with role-based, user security and by protecting and securing patient data.
5. Practice Growth
With the ability to drastically streamline workflows and boost productivity, cloud-based practice management software frees up practice resources to focus on improving patient care and production. Likewise, the combination of total connectivity and cost savings opens the door for practice expansion, whether that means reinvesting in your existing office or building out to a second location and beyond.
To learn more about whether a cloud-based software solution is the right choice for your practice, check out our white paper here.
