With coronavirus lockdowns set to leave permanent changes to how we do business, Stockport-based IT specialists Amshire IT explain how the global pandemic strengthens the case for adopting cloud computing.
COVID-19 has shaken the world and caused disruption to every aspect of our daily lives, including our ability to go to work. However its disruption is not felt evenly, with many businesses finding it difficult to find methods to maintain usual operations and keep their business afloat. Yet others are transitioning to remote work with relative ease. Shifting to a new style of work is always going to evoke certain challenges but some organisations like Twitter, Square and Facebook have taken to remote working so successfully, the option of making it permanent is increasingly more appealing.
Why are some staying afloat and others left to sink?
The most agile organisations are meeting the challenges of the current climate by accelerating their use of the cloud. Many of today’s success stories are directly attributable to the adoption of Cloud computing. Thanks to the cloud, teams of workers can still collaborate with one another, liaise with clients and develop products as if they were working and meeting in an office.
But this isn’t just a lesson in the value of flexible work. It highlights the necessity of agility across a business. Even when the pandemic subsides, continuing uncertainty will be left in its wake. It is possible the virus could strike again and therefore unpredictable markets mean that most companies are seeking ways in which they can adapt faster and integrate flexibility and resilience into their strategies. Cloud computing answers all of these challenges.
Even after the pandemic is over, there will be lasting uncertainty. Possible resurgences of the virus and unpredictable markets mean that most companies are looking to innovate and adapt faster and build flexibility and resilience into their strategies. Cloud is the tool that makes all of this possible.
A purposeful step any enterprise can take when seeking ways to enhance value in a post-COVID world, would be to identify aspects of their business which the introduction of cloud services and infrastructure would benefit.
The benefits of the cloud
Scalability
A large enterprise of over 1000 employees will have greater IT demands than a start-up business. Cloud services offer an ideal solution as it enables a business to efficiently scale up/down their IT infrastructure, according to business demands.
Cloud based solutions are ideal for businesses with growing or fluctuating bandwidth demands. If your business demands increase, you can easily increase your cloud capacity without investing capital into physical infrastructure. This increased agility can provide businesses using cloud computing a real advantage over competitors.
The ability to scale dependent on real time need also minimizes the risks associated with in-house operational issues and maintenance. The introduction of cloud services offers high-performance resources and professional help with zero up-front investment. The scalability of cloud computing promises to transform how businesses operate.
Mobility
Cloud computing also frees your enterprise from the constraints of on-premises infrastructure. Mobile access to corporate data via smartphones and devices, provides a revolutionary method to ensure that no employee is ever left out of the loop. Staff with busy schedules, or who live a long way away from the corporate office, can keep instantly up-to-date with clients and co-workers.
As cloud services are connected to the internet, resources in the cloud are easily stored, retrieved and recovered with a simple click. Additionally, this allows for remote access, so users can gain access to their work 24/7, on any device, in any corner of the world. On top of that, as the service is outsourced to a provider, all the maintenance, upgrades and updates are done automatically, reducing the workload burden on your IT team.
Competitive edge
It is not essential for every enterprise to adopt a cloud service system, at least not right away. However, year on year the spend on Cloud infrastructure is increasing, even when spending in other IT areas is decreasing.
The shift in spending budget favouring cloud computing is because companies are aware of world-class technology it provides. Don’t get left behind, consider a cloud solution today!