Approximately 93% of today’s businesses have migrated to using cloud technology. There are many benefits to moving your digital business operations into the cloud. Although there can be some risks in cloud migration, the benefits far outweigh them. Before considering what cloud migration strategy is right for you or what cloud migration tools you might use to make this transition, let’s go over the many reasons you may be considering migrating to the cloud.
The main benefits of migrating to the cloud include:
1. Scalability and elasticity
Cloud computing can easily scale up (or down) to support larger (or smaller) workloads and greater (or fewer) numbers of users, as needed. Elasticity, which enables scalability, is the ability to expand or decrease computer processing, storage resources, and memory on demand. Your server’s resources can easily be used up if you have an influx of users, but you don’t have to worry about this when you switch to the cloud. Similarly, if you want to consolidate, why continue to pay for resources you’re not using? With the cloud, scaling is automatic and you don’t have to change the amount of servers, networking equipment, etc., yourself every time.
2. Cost-effectiveness
When migrating to the cloud, you can significantly reduce the amount you spend on IT operations, since all maintenance and upgrades are handled by the cloud. Instead of focusing your resources on keeping things up and running, you can concentrate on other, bigger business needs, such as developing new products or improving the ones you have already.
Be aware that cloud migration won’t inherently save you money. You will still have to carefully plan and execute your spending. However, migrating to the cloud will allow your business to shift from capital expenditure (CapEx) to operating expenditure (OpEx). This is an excellent move because it means that rather than making a huge initial investment in something that is going to depreciate in value (like on-premises hardware), you will be paying a regular ongoing cost for services (like internet), which means you have more cash in hand.
3. Agility and Flexibility
“Cloud agility” generally refers to the ability to develop, test, and launch business applications quickly. But at the same time, migrating to the cloud also provides you with the agility to respond quickly to changing needs.
With the cloud, both your employees and your customers alike will be able to access data and services from anywhere. This allows you the flexibility to expand your business into new territories, go international, or allow your employees to work from home, among other things.
4. Performance, Reliability, and Resilience
Moving to the cloud can enable your business to improve performance and your customers’ overall user experience. If your website or app is hosted in the cloud rather than on-premises, data will not have as far to travel to reach your users. This reduces latency. At the same time, the worldwide, cutting-edge technology afforded by the cloud ensures the best possible backup of data and recovery in terms of disaster. And the cloud will bring those who need access to your tools closer, no matter where they may be.
5. Security and Compliance
Most big cloud providers go out of their way to consider the issues of security and compliance because they know that big companies are relying on them. You can count on them to be on top of the latest trends and updates that will keep your sensitive data safe. Keeping data in the cloud can also keep it from getting compromised, as opposed to if it is stored on a device that could get stolen or misplaced. In addition, public cloud providers will have technology and policies that go above and beyond the security that can be provided by an average organization.
6. Simplification
When you migrate to the cloud, your service provider is the one ensuring infrastructure is in place. This means that instead of having to spend time and resources maintaining your computer hardware and software, you and your staff can focus on running your actual business.