Creating a Future Proof Cloud Strategy
Saving money is no longer the key driver for companies moving their applications and platforms to the cloud
Creating a Future-proof Cloud Strategy
Saving money is no longer the key driver for companies moving their applications and platforms to the cloud.
Cloud migration offers many other benefits: Better security, faster speed to market for new applications and services, and ease of use. These are all playing a greater role in pushing companies to the cloud than cost savings.
‘Cloud first’ is now the default for many
More than 80 per cent of businesses across Asia Pacific now rely on the cloud for at least some of their computing needs, according to research from Bitglass. And most companies predict spending on cloud services will continue to grow while data center and on-premises budgets will keep on shrinking.
Businesses already using cloud services are seeing benefits which go much deeper than just cost savings. And now that businesses are focussing on strategies to get the best from the cloud for the whole business, that means looking beyond just the cheapest provider.
An important first step is to not see a move to the cloud as ‘lifting and shifting’ existing applications, hardware provision and business processes to the new platform. Instead it is a chance to think about how processes can be improved and how they can work better on a cloud-based platform.
It is also a chance to assess existing applications and ways of working and look at alternatives. Your cloud strategy should drive digital transformation across the whole organization not just change where systems are hosted.
Cloud creates a level playing field for big and small companies
Most companies do not have the resources to build their own platforms from scratch. The key benefit of the cloud for smaller companies is that they can get access to the very best technology created by the big players.
That means not only the most efficient hosting and server platforms but also a wealth of third-party applications and management tools to reduce the hassles and costs of managing systems.
Cloud systems also give even the smallest companies instant access to the world’s best security systems without having to hire expensive consultants.
But moving to the cloud does not solve all technology issues. Although cloud-management services can improve the management of disparate systems and providers, it can create headaches if there is no overall strategy.
Again this might rule out simply choosing the cheapest provider. Make sure systems can work together and give a transparent view of performance and cost.
Building future-proof cloud strategies
The future is, of course, uncertain so a forward-looking cloud strategy will make sure the organization is not locked into one provider forever. Just as the business needs of the company can change, so can the focus of the cloud provider.
Any cloud agreement should include an exit plan. If the provider stops supporting key systems or the business needs to change its applications as it grows then there must be a seamless way to move.
Open standards should make it relatively simple to switch applications and workloads if necessary. By making the right decisions at the start, moving cloud provider should be much easier than making a similar strategic change to on-premises hardware or software.
Find out more about how FUJIFILM Business Innovation can help.
