The time may be right for your business to move to the Cloud. With its many advantages, including cost savings, security, and flexibility, cloud computing also gives businesses a competitive advantage, allowing employees to work anytime,  anywhere. According to an article by Forbes, the trends indicate more and more cloud usage, with an increase from 19% to 57% in 2016 and 2017. By the end of 2018, 80% of all IT budgets will be dedicated to the Cloud. According to the ninth annual CompTIA Security Trends Study, more than 59% reported moderate to heavy usage, and nearly three-quarters have confidence in providers’ ability to produce a secure cloud environment. Â
Benefits of Moving to the Cloud
Why move to the Cloud? One reason businesses migrate is being able to work across multiple devices including mobile, desktop and laptop computers. Cloud computing is scalable and can handle extra demand as your business grows. Not only that, but more employees work remotely, and Cloud computing enables teleworkers to access the company’s cloud-based systems when working remotely. Lastly, moving to the Cloud can, in many cases, convert the capital expense (CAPEX) of hardware and infrastructure to a predictable operating expense(OPEX).
Efficiencies of Cloud Computing
Predictability of cost is one key reason businesses make such a strategic decision. With Software as a Service (SaaS) and Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), businesses can eliminate the up-front costs of hardware and systems updates, and phase out aging hardware. While the business will need to plan for customization, migration, and integration, Cloud computing allows customers to pay a predictable cost for the resources they use.
What to Consider Before Migrating to the Cloud
Even when Cloud computing makes perfect business sense for your organization, there are some things to consider before selecting a Cloud Service Provider (CSP). Be sure to evaluate a prospective CSP for security. Many companies first evaluate their provider based on encryption of data, both while the data is migrated to the Cloud and when it is at rest. It is vital for hospitals and other healthcare organizations to have a secure environment, given the need to comply with HIPAA regulations. Likewise, businesses processing customers’ credit card information must comply with PCI rules. A private cloud environment might be required for such industries. The geographic location of a data center is also important, and it is best to consider data centers near other buildings on a reliable power grid for Cloud-based Infrastructure as a Service (Iaas).
If you are considering migrating to the cloud, or are in the process of selecting a Cloud service provider, contact your technology advisor to help you move to the cloud with confidence and ease.
