Many enterprises today are moving their IT infrastructure and related services to the cloud and in multiple ways. Some are starting slow, only partially moving their business processes and IT resources to the cloud while still keeping some of the physical infrastructures within their office—i.e. a hybrid setup that requires on-premise and cloud data integration in order to work.
Others, meanwhile, have all but completely embraced cloud technology, migrating all their data and applications online. Each approach has its own pros and cons, but all of them are geared to take advantage of the benefits that cloud computing offers.
But exactly what are these benefits, and are they truly worth the perceived risks and upfront cost of migrating to the cloud? In this article, we’ll explore some of these advantages.
Cloud migration helps facilitate greater collaboration in an enterprise
One of the biggest benefits of migrating to the cloud is the increased collaboration it can facilitate between teams and employees within an organization. Collaboration, after all, forms the backbone of all the business-critical operations in any enterprise, and it requires the use of communication tools such as email, instant messaging, and project management and file-sharing applications that allow employees to work efficiently together. While an enterprise may function just fine by just keeping its tools and data on-site, it may not be as efficient as it could be, as its employees need to be physically present in the office in order to do their work.
By migrating its work processes, communication tools, and business-critical data to the cloud, an enterprise overcomes the limitation of letting the collaborative work processes take place only within the walls of its office building. Local and remote workers can interact in real-time as well as work with the same master copy of business-critical data, becoming more efficient as well as preventing any employee from dealing with redundant or obsolete information. What results is a greater sense of community between employees, as well as a streamlined and efficient workflow.
Cloud migration enhances enterprise scalability and agility
Traditional upscaling, especially when it comes to IT infrastructure, involves not only the costly procurement of the hardware required but also the renting of additional office space. The enterprise will also need to hire additional IT staff to manage the expanded infrastructure as well. This involves a whole lot more cost and complexity than the enterprise could have bargained for.
By migrating its IT processes and resources to the cloud, an enterprise can immediately procure what it needs in order to scale up its operations. Once a cloud service provider is chosen, the enterprise is already supplied with the resources it needs, eschewing the usual lengthy and costly procurement of hardware or the scouting or construction of additional space to house said hardware. Not only that, but due to the very nature of cloud computing, an enterprise would only need to pay for space, tools, and services it uses and nothing more. This also allows the business to scale down quickly and efficiently when needed, simply contacting its cloud service provider to reduce their rented space or tools—no costly downsizing efforts required.
Cloud migration helps reduce IT infrastructure complexity
IT infrastructure can become very complex and difficult to maintain, no matter the size of the enterprise. Not only would a business have to constantly worry about keeping up what amounts to a large room full of delicate electronic hardware running in their office building, but it would also have to worry about securing it against cyber attacks and security threats. Resolving these challenges on premises will not only keep one’s IT administration staff busy and stressed out, it could also require the costly hiring of new staff to balance the workload.
Through cloud migration, enterprise owners and their IT administration staff can allow such complexities and challenges to be handled by their cloud service provider, thus allowing them to focus more on their on-site concerns and business operations rather than be kept busy with the maintenance and upkeep of their infrastructure. In this manner, security concerns can be mitigated as well, with the chosen cloud service provider taking up the responsibility of bolstering their client’s cloud servers’ defense against unauthorized access, as well as applying security updates and patches for the software used on a regular basis.
These are just some of the bigger benefits that enterprises stand to enjoy – and are currently enjoying – thanks to cloud migration. While the traditional way of keeping all business processes and data on-site may seem a lot safer and simpler, the toll it can take on an enterprise’s collaborative efforts among its employees and how adeptly it can respond to a growing business needs could end up being more trouble—and cost—than it’s worth.
Cloud migration and cloud computing allow an enterprise to become more agile, more efficient, and more cost-effective, allowing it to compete much more aggressively in today’s hyper-competitive business world.
