Partner Article

Your journey to the cloud

It seems like the entire world is moving to the cloud. Cisco predicts that 60% of business workloads globally will be managed via the cloud by 2016. While a recent Gartner survey on the future of IT services states that 80% of organisations said that they intend to use cloud services in some form within 12 months, including 55% of the organisations not doing so today.

The cloud has firmly entered the business consciousness, yet by no means is it the norm among small, medium and growing businesses, many of whom have existing systems in place that are working efficiently. So what’s all the fuss about?

Ø Lower costs and manageability

The cost of entry for cloud software is reduced, as unlike on-premise applications where a bigger up-front investment is required to purchase the hardware and software. With cloud you are pay monthly for the service. The cloud’s ‘time-share’ mentality spreads the costs out between all businesses hosted in the same facility. Maintenance in the cloud can be carried out cost effectively and necessary upgrades are easily negotiated.

Ø Scalability

The scalability offered by cloud-based solutions is a huge coup. As your business grows there is no need to worry about replacing your server as new users can be added at the touch of a button. This is ideal for fast-growing companies that experience seasonal surges in demand, or irregular spikes, knowing that the system will be running effectively when it’s needed most. Businesses can quickly upscale computing power as needed.

Ø Flexibility

One of the biggest advantages of cloud computing is that it provides access to data or services anywhere, at any time. It supports 24 hour operations, whether you’re a founder/CEO stuck to your desk or a chief operating officer of an international business that needs to run around the clock.

Of course whilst there are benefits, the one consistent concern with the cloud remains data security. However, platform providers such as Microsoft Azure and Amazon have proven their security credentials through years of reliable provision. Those that don’t drop out of the market pretty quick.

Other options for businesses

While the benefits of cloud are abundant, it’s not the only option. Adopting cloud technology isn’t an all or nothing decision; companies will often retain on premise solutions or even opt for a hybrid approach (a combination of the two) as each approach offers benefits to different organisations.

What if you are happy with your existing computing set-up?

Established businesses that have recently opted for on-premise solution shouldn’t doubt that decision because of the buzz around cloud. If a business is running efficiently on existing on-premise servers and storage, make the most out of the investment to see a tangible return, rather than introducing a new system. Reassess software options when this is no longer the case or when requirements change - for any business, changing software is a big deal so it needs to be a considered decision.

Companies wanting to retain full control of their systems and data, particularly those in highly regulated sectors, will also likely pay a premium for this privilege in the cloud era.

What to consider

While there’s no one-size-fits-all for business computing, the underlying considerations should be universal. These basic questions are a good place to start before you decide what option will suit you best:

What are the challenges that face my business? Eg. Cash flow, knowing when to expand and invest, unlocking information across your business, retaining customers, business resilience.

Do you need access to data outside of the office? More and more SMBs are embracing flexible working. Having access to data outside of the office is integral to enable employees to work on the road or at home.

What problems are you experiencing with your IT infrastructure? Eg. Lack of data storage, security concerns, lack of flexibility, lack of scalability, need for greater reporting and analysis.

Do you need a tailored solution or an off the shelf solution? Every business is unique – if you’re looking to expand quickly it’s worth considering implementing a solution that is scalable in order to add new users. Some businesses however opt for a solution that can be tailored to their specific requirements in order to complement existing software.

What would cloud provide my business with that on-premise doesn’t? Moving to cloud isn’t right for all businesses, right now. However, cloud does offer flexibility that on-premise doesn’t. It is also significantly easier to scale users up and down when relevant.

There is no wrong or right answer when it comes to selecting cloud, hybrid, or indeed on-premise solutions. It’s whatever works for the business! It’s easy to get distracted by the hype that surrounds cloud but it is important to remember that cloud is merely a deployment method – not the end business result. Think about what the short and long term priorities of your business are and whether your IT solution will be flexible enough to accommodate your business needs over one year, two or five.

Steve Attwell is managing director for Sage’s UK and Ireland Small and Medium Business division

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sage UK .