Migrating your data to the cloud adds efficiencies and facilitates security and growth.
Cloud computing is in the process of replacing traditional computing in much the same way that servers, computers, and software replaced more traditional office equipment decades ago. This digital transformation has been underway for some time, and we’ve arrived at a point where it’s the smartest move for many businesses.
There are many good reasons to use the network of remote servers hosted on the Internet, which we call the cloud, to store and manage your data. There are just as many reasons to partner with an expert in managed cloud services. Here are five.
1. Centralizing your network services and applications will give you a more robust IT infrastructure.
A primary benefit of a move to the cloud is that your IT infrastructure will become better organized and more efficient. Migrating your data and applications to the cloud, where an expert team provides 24/7 monitoring and management, yields immediate advantages.
Some business leaders and IT managers are unaware that the service level agreement you strike with a cloud services provider can be customized to fit your precise business needs. By doing so, you will have strengthened your security position, updated your technology to the current versions, and provided bulletproof support to your IT team.
2. Save money by obtaining cutting-edge technology and expertise without the overhead.
Hiring more and more employees to staff a fast-growing, full-time IT department adds unnecessary operating expenses. Contracting with a cloud service provider can guarantee that the hardware and software you rely on is up-to-date without you being forced to incur endless unnecessary capital expenses. While your costs go down, you also get more control of your budgets—when you work with a managed cloud service provider, your technology costs can be rolled into one monthly bill. And you do not need to pay for anything you aren’t actually using.
This is truly one of those moments in the history of technology when you can significantly improve your organization’s IT infrastructure and simultaneously save money by taking advantage of the power of the cloud; however, don’t let the hype around the cloud trick you into believing that savings are inevitable.
Poorly managed cloud deployments can involve unnecessary costs and effort. There is a growing demand for cloud services, and that can make it difficult to predict and control your spend. A 2020 survey found that many business leaders are significantly exceeding their cloud budgets. Again, this is where having a trusted technology management partner can help your bottom line.
3. Protect yourself from disaster and ensure business continuity.
Before the cloud proliferated in recent years, many companies built off-site data centers to store their backups and host their virtual machines and critical applications. That was the only way to make certain that they could survive a natural disaster or cyberattack. Most companies now work with a cloud managed services provider that delivers the same level of protection and assurance for a fraction of the cost.
By deploying cloud backup and recovery, you will provide your organization with protection against the kinds of deadly disruptions that have become so prevalent.
4. The cloud can be a secure environment
If your organization is among the nine out of ten that have already moved some elements of their business to the cloud, it’s important that you secure your network. Moving your network to the cloud increases your attack vectors, so you can be susceptible to penetration that puts your data at risk.
Cloud security is a relatively new and complex field. It can be difficult and expensive to find and keep employees who possess the required skills. Managed service providers have the experience, knowledge, and expert staff to help protect your company’s security.
5. The cloud positions your organization to scale.
The cloud can accelerate business growth for startups as well as organizations of any size planning expansion. Because the cloud providers have built the infrastructure and supply the technology platforms as well as software services and applications, cloud computing can dramatically reduce capital expenditures. That means you can access these resources on an as-needed basis, which allows you to experiment, prototype, and innovate ambitiously.
This may be the most important benefit the cloud can give you: flexibility. And that’s why it’s worth your while to choose carefully when selecting a technology management partner. There are countless cloud-based services available, and you need to be sure that you choose the capability precisely suited to your organization’s needs.
I hope you found this information helpful. As always, contact us anytime about your technology needs.
Until next time,
Tim
