Furthermore, those who have adopted a cloud computing strategy are already reaping the benefits. In fact, more than 40 percent of [businesses] say they have realized major improvements in organizational efficiency through the cloud, according to a 2013 IBM survey.
So how do you know if a cloud-based IT strategy is for you? Here are four signs:
1. You have multiple locations. Businesses are unique; they all have very different needs and requirements. One of those requirements is a solution that supports multiple locations and dispersion of resources. Maintaining a traditional IT infrastructure can be cumbersome and slow to respond to change. This typically means each location has its own flavor of IT infrastructure incapable of communicating efficiently with the other locations. Moving your data and headaches into the cloud leaves your business scalable, responsive, and lean.
2. You are using the break-fix model. Are you being proactive about managing your organization’s IT? Most wait until something is broken or hopelessly out-of-date to make a change or spend any money. This model prevents you from getting the most value out of your current environment. Neglecting your IT and leaving it to decay could mean even more costs incurred in the long run. Not to mention the foregone benefits of the latest software and hardware. Adopting a cloud strategy moves you back onto the offensive by relieving you of the burdens of infrastructure and frequent updates, and places all the complexities (and risk) into the hands of a trusted partner.
3. Your IT expenses are outrageous. Between hardware replacements, software updates, power costs, and much more, an IT department can start to look like a cost center rather than a profit center. It is important to see IT as a force multiplier that works with you, and not against you. And For a cost benefit analysis of the cloud model, check out this video on the cost-effectiveness of the cloud.
4. You are mobile. If you are anything like the rest of the business world, access to data anywhere, anytime, and on a variety of devices is essential. This is a fundamental benefit of the cloud-computing model. This added mobility allows you to take and manage your business remotely, therefore drastically increasing workflow and employee output. Mobile cloud computing is on the rise for a reason; it’s unbelievably convenient. There you have it. For more information regarding cloud computing and IT services, visit Cetrom.