NetworkTigers discusses cloud migration and its benefits for businesses.
Cloud migration has become a common strategy for businesses, from software developers and grocery chains to major companies such as Coca-Cola and eBay. Compared to maintaining and utilizing traditional, on-premises network infrastructure, cloud computing offers a range of strategic benefits that can make organizations more efficient, more cost-effective, and better able to accommodate network traffic variables.
While some may be hesitant to move an in-house IT system into the hands of a third party, the benefits of doing so are so compelling that 94% of all companies worldwide use cloud computing at some point in their operations.
Why consider cloud migration?
Lower costs
On-location IT infrastructure is expensive. Not only do organizations have to invest in the required physical hardware, but traditional network builds also need maintenance from an appropriately trained and competent on-site team.
Software updates, hardware failures, and feature upgrades are costly and time-consuming. Additionally, network equipment needs a physical space that is clean, cool, and ventilated at all times to avoid issues related to overheating. This means that a company’s physical location needs to be large enough to accommodate any necessary gear and that their utility costs will have to cover the environmental conditioning that so much electronic equipment demands.
Cloud migration fixes this. By putting IT responsibility into the hands of a third-party cloud service provider, businesses don’t need to worry about the physical space required to house their equipment or spend money on personnel tasked with keeping their systems running smoothly.
Easy scaling for growth or restructuring
As a company grows or changes its focus, physical IT infrastructure must be reconfigured, and new equipment must be purchased and installed.
By migrating to the cloud, however, a company’s IT footprint can be expanded or minimized almost instantly. For example, a business that experiences surges in seasonal traffic doesn’t need to invest in robust network equipment that goes underutilized for most of the year. That company can expand its capabilities to accommodate changes in its network traffic when it needs it most.
The scalability of cloud services makes them ideal for businesses that are growing quickly or anticipate inconsistent demands on their system. Instead of cause for celebration, a sudden rush in sales due to a viral moment or unexpected success may harm a company that is unable to keep up with demand and experiencing outages. Cloud migration helps mitigate this by offering flexibility that would be impossible otherwise.
Friction-free innovation
Easy scaling also makes accommodating new projects or business ventures easier since the time needed to obtain and set up any necessary additional network components is all but eliminated. Cloud migration can enhance innovation and allow companies to bring new ideas or products to market before the competition.
Without the expense of new infrastructure putting pressure on an organization, teams can experiment more with their testing and techniques without fearing wasting costly resources.
Many cloud service providers also offer AI-enhanced features and other out-of-reach technologies, meaning that small businesses are no longer limited by an inability to afford today’s most advanced computing tools.
Easy remote access
With many organizations opting for remote or hybrid work arrangements, the ability to remotely access company resources is integral to keeping a business running efficiently.
Thanks to cloud-based network infrastructure, employees from anywhere with an internet connection can work, collaborate, and keep up with company information without having to set foot anywhere near a physical server.
The power to tap into an organization’s infrastructure, share documents, and assess projects in real time is a benefit of cloud migration that can’t be achieved as smoothly using a traditional network structure.
Top-of-the-line cybersecurity
Many organizations have failed in the face of a cyberattack because tight budgets deprioritize cybersecurity and the more expensive security resources needed to protect sensitive data.
Cloud migration allows businesses of all sizes to use first-class security features. From AI-enhanced threat detection and continuous monitoring to firewalls and encryption, cloud service providers offer their customers the tight cybersecurity protections they need to safeguard their operations and shield their data from prying eyes and criminal intent.
Cloud providers also offer backups and paths to recovery that can keep a company afloat in the event of a security incident, a welcome alternative to panicked IT staff and extended business disruptions.
Better equipment and performance
Keeping up with the latest and greatest hardware is a major expense, which is why so many company data centers rely on outdated and possibly unsafe equipment to get the job done.
However, cloud service providers can update their systems with the newest available resources. This means companies can reap the rewards and efficiencies of premium equipment without investing in it and rest assured that the infrastructure they depend on is regularly updated.
Cloud service providers also offer reliability and performance that could only be achieved on location with complicated systems that must be set up precisely to keep resource-hungry processes from experiencing bottlenecks. By migrating to the cloud, organizations can leave the complexities to the provider and focus on other business operations.
Is cloud migration right for your business?
While some business owners or IT admins still prefer to keep their infrastructure in-house to avoid any unique security challenges, more and more organizations are happily turning to the cloud.
The trend shows no signs of slowing, with cloud adoption expected to generate more than $3 trillion by 2030.
Especially small, new businesses able to get by with minimal network infrastructure may find that the regular costs associated with using the cloud don’t make sense for their needs. However, the flexibility and customization of cloud services put them within reach for many companies, and the option to make the move should be on the shortlist of considerations for any organization looking to the future.
About NetworkTigers
NetworkTigers is the leader in the secondary market for Grade A, seller-refurbished networking equipment. Founded in January 1996 as Andover Consulting Group, which built and re-architected data centers for Fortune 500 firms, NetworkTigers provides consulting and network equipment to global governmental agencies, Fortune 2000, and healthcare companies. www.networktigers.com.
All articles sponsored by NetworkTigers.
