“In the past, there was hardware, software, and platforms on top of which there were applications. Now they’re getting conflated. That is all going to get disrupted by the move to the cloud.” -Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft.
We are currently in an age of fast and widespread digital disruption. Companies of all types – not just technology companies but manufacturing, service, entertainment, finance, and public service companies – are under pressure to lower costs, improve times to market, and deliver best-in-class offerings. One of the most effective strategies for doing all of the above and developing an edge over the competition involves leveraging the latest in cloud technologies. In fact, industry trends show that cloud-based IT deployments are becoming the infrastructure setup of choice for companies of all shapes and sizes.
What is the Cloud?
Although cloud computing has been a buzzword for some time, many people are still unclear about what the cloud is, or what the benefits and challenges are of moving to it. Further, even in cases where the benefits are clear, deciding when and how to implement your company’s cloud strategy can be a major challenge.
A move to the cloud essentially involves moving from running applications or programs installed on local physical systems to accessing, remotely via the internet, the same applications and services installed on a server in the cloud.
The advantages of doing this are immense. To illustrate, businesses that work from the cloud enjoy the following benefits:
Cost and time savings thanks to easy access to company data
Better security thanks to round-the-clock monitoring by enterprise-grade cybersecurity teams and systems that are much better than conventional, in-house solutions
Flexibility thanks to pay-as-you-go billing that provides you with the resources you need, when you need them, without downtime or overbilling
Smartphone access to corporate data and support for remote workers improves collaboration and worker efficiency
No more downtime due to software patches or updates thanks to automatic updates that are taken care of by your cloud hosting partner
Integration of unique business applications to give users one-stop access to everything they need for their work
UIs that work with different users according to their roles and goals to save time, eliminate the need for training, and ensure quick user adoption
Cloud backups can ensure fail-safes for servers and data saved in data centers, saving you from permanently losing your data from the likes of earthquakes, fires, unauthorized access to your servers, or online hijacking of critical systems
With a cloud solution in place, local installs will become a thing of the past; you can have the services you want to deploy ready for use within minutes versus the days or weeks it traditionally takes; you can improve service uptimes and rapidly deploy fixes and improvements by instantaneously connecting to millions of users in real-time; and you only pay for as much or as little computing power and storage you need, thereby lowering fixed and maintenance costs.
The Digital Workplace
Another reason to consider a move to the cloud comes from changing dynamics in business operations and advancements in IT in general. Today we see that everyone from factory floor workers to C-suite and top-level executives are digitally literate. Further, the growth of social media has led to surging data volumes across the globe, and we have seen a concomitant rise in the power of analytics, deeper and more insightful data analysis tools, and better wireless communications abilities. At the other end of the spectrum, customers and consumers have come to expect real-time information, quick problem resolution, and responsive apps.
The combined effect of these changes is that the power and reach of information are more expansive than they have been in the past, and having a coherent IT strategy is more critical to success in today’s global marketplace than ever before. Of great importance is the ability of CIOs and IT leaders to take on leadership roles in building low-cost, performant, accessible, and information-driven work environments. Reorganizing company organizations around the right cloud implementation can help them achieve these goals while improving business reach, productivity, and effectiveness, all while reducing costs.
The coming years will see increased adoption of high-tech solutions across industries worldwide, and only the fastest, lowest-cost, and most flexible organizations will be able to survive an increasingly competitive global marketplace. With the right cloud solution in place, you can get back to focusing on your core competencies and you can be strategically placed to overcome these challenges. This is what our cloud team will help you do.
About HD Dynamics
HD Dynamics is a bleeding-edge technology company that specializes in advising and implementing technical solutions for information-driven businesses. We provide businesses with consulting services and software deployments to help them efficiently run the latest in IT technology.
We not only help clients navigate their way around which cloud service is best for them, but we also help companies develop and launch their own cloud strategy. We also advise our clients on how to comply with – and operate within – state and federal IT guidelines where applicable, such as HIPAA and requirements of the Cloud First initiative.
The world is changing at a very fast pace, and only those companies and organizations that successfully identify trends and changes – and make the changes necessary to meet new challenges or avail new opportunities – will find themselves sailing smooth waters.
Contact us today for a personalized consultation on how we can help your business.
Email us at jherman@hddynamics.com for a private consultation.
