In 2022, if you are still evaluating whether or not to embrace cloud migration, you are already behind >90% of companies.
There are plenty of reasons businesses are choosing the cloud over traditional ways of computing and data storage. And just like any other new technology, cloud migration comes with a few risks and drawbacks. However, the benefits far outweigh these limitations.
Here are some practical reasons cloud migration is a good choice for businesses of all sizes.
#1: Cloud computing lets businesses predict their IT budget for the year
Predictions indicate cloud usage to continue to grow in 2022 and will no longer be just a “nice to have” service. It will be necessary to include in your IT budget. You can pay a fixed monthly service plan with managed cloud computing, helping you keep your expenditure predictable.
#2: Cloud computing is simple and cost-effective
Scaling up using on-premises infrastructure is an expensive affair. It requires additional investment in hardware, network equipment, software licenses and in-house technicians. When you factor in maintenance installation costs, these expenses go through the roof. Also, infrastructure is generally prone to physical damages attributable to disasters such as floods and fire.
When you move to the cloud, you can eliminate the investment you make in redundant infrastructure. Although cloud computing involves initial setup costs and training, you can achieve economies of scale at a much faster rate compared to on-premises infrastructure. Cost-effectiveness is one of the major reasons businesses across the globe are choosing the cloud over traditional systems.
#3: The cloud is flexible and scalable
One of the major benefits of using the cloud is its scalability. Many businesses in their growth phase have leveraged the cloud to manage their bandwidth requirements. Cloud services can scale up or down very easily based on user requirements very easily. If you use only on-premises infrastructure, you need to invest heavily in physical servers, networking equipment and software licenses to scale up your growing business.
Cloud services are also exceptionally flexible. They don’t tie down your people to one particular location. Any internet-enabled device, including laptops, smartphones or notebooks, can be used to access and share critical documents for strategic business decision-making. Businesses need this level of flexibility to grow in a crowded market.
The advantages of cloud have been clear for all to see during the Covid-19 pandemic. Businesses that were on the cloud were able to adapt to the new remote working norms much quicker and more efficiently compared to their non-cloud competitors in the same industry.
#4: The cloud offers better insights from big data
Businesses generate huge volumes of both structured and unstructured data on an everyday basis, collectively known as big data. According to a survey by Accenture, 79% of businesses agree that companies that don’t embrace big data may lose their competitive advantage and might even go extinct.
Deriving valuable insights from big data requires cost-effective ways of information processing. Your on-premises storage systems may not be able to keep up with high-volume data generation in the long run. Even if you try to do everything the traditional way, you need substantial investment in your infrastructure to make this happen.
Most importantly, your on-premises data warehouse may not be able to support advanced analytics solutions capable of rapid information processing. By moving to the cloud, you can gain valuable insights from your data and make data-driven decisions.
#5: The cloud ensures business continuity and disaster recovery.
One of the factors that contributes to the success of a business is control. Unfortunately, no matter how in control your organization may be when it comes to its own processes, there will always be things that are completely out of your control, and in today's market, even a small amount of unproductive downtime can have a resoundingly negative effect. Downtime in your services leads to lost productivity, revenue, and brand reputation.
But while there may be no way for you to prevent or even anticipate the disasters that could potentially harm your organization, there is something you can do to help speed your recovery. Cloud-based services provide quick data recovery for all kinds of emergency scenarios, from natural disasters to power outages. While 20% of cloud users claim disaster recovery in four hours or less, only 9% of non-cloud users could claim the same. In a recent survey, 43% of IT executives said they plan to invest in or improve cloud-based disaster recovery solutions.
#6: Cloud computing is reliable
By monitoring your servers 24/7, cloud service providers help to reduce your downtime and improve your productivity. Your cloud services are available when you need them most, day or night. And, if there’s a malfunction, you know that experts are on hand to solve the problem.
#7: Cloud computing provides consistent compliance
Don’t worry about your data protection requirements. Your provider can design a safe cloud environment and draft an effective compliance strategy for whichever industry you operate in, from healthcare to finance.
#8: The cloud drives collaboration efficiency
If your business has two employees or more, then you should be making collaboration a top priority. After all, there isn't much point to having a team if it is unable to work like a team.
Cloud computing makes collaboration a simple process and can also enable great efficiency in the work processes of various organizations. Team members can view and share information easily and securely across a cloud-based platform.
Cloud technology allows collaboration on a much larger scale among employees within an organization. It allows multiple users from different departments to access the required information. Some cloud-based services even provide collaborative social spaces to connect employees across your organization, therefore increasing interest and engagement. Collaboration may be possible without a cloud-computing solution, but it will never be as easy, nor as effective.
With cloud technology, businesses can also even overcome geographic restrictions and set up a multiregional infrastructure that can be accessed from anywhere. This drives better collaboration efficiency among overseas teams and contributes to business growth.
When businesses combine cloud technology with managed services, they can share information efficiency, prevent a lot of human errors and speed up the decision-making process. This helps them boost productivity by focusing on core tasks that matter.
#9: Cloud computing allows for mobility
Cloud computing allows mobile access to corporate data via smartphones and devices, which, considering over 2.6 billion smartphones are being used globally today, is a great way to ensure that no one is ever left out of the loop. Staff with busy schedules, or who live a long way away from the corporate office, can use this feature to keep instantly up to date with clients and co-worker.
Through the cloud, you can offer conveniently accessible information to sales staff who travel, freelance employees, or remote employees, for better work-life balance. Therefore, it's not surprising to see that organizations with employee satisfaction listed as a priority are up to 24% more likely to expand cloud usage.