By John Allen – Director, SEO, 8×8
Business costs are rising. Hybrid and remote working opportunities are increasing. Employees expect a streamlined and convenient approach to their everyday work processes. And, more businesses are seeking innovative ways of bringing their company into a modern environment.
So, cloud-based infrastructures are becoming a favorable option for businesses. Rather than relying on outdated hardware that takes up space in the office, businesses appreciate the advantages of migrating to the cloud.
If this is something you’ve thought about (or even if you haven’t) read on to discover why cloud migration could be your optimum choice.
What is Cloud Migration?
Cloud migration can sound like a scary, technical term that people unfamiliar with the concept shy away from. But it doesn’t need to be a big business challenge. In reality, it is not all that scary. Nor is it difficult to understand the basics, which are all you need to know to benefit from cloud migration.
Simply put, cloud migration is the process of moving your data from your onsite server to the cloud. The cloud is normally based in a data center and is managed by IT professionals i.e. those clever techy people who know all there is to know about servers.
The cloud is used for lots of business solutions. In addition to your data being hosted in the cloud, you can also use technologies such as a cloud hosted phone system to optimize business communications.
Why Should Small Businesses Consider Cloud Migration?
Here are seven reasons why small businesses should consider cloud migration as part of their growth strategy:
1. Remote Access
With cloud migration, your workers can access your data from anywhere. They could be traveling on a train, picking the kids up from school, or even working on their sun tan on a Mediterranean beach. As long as they have an internet connection and permission to access your data, they can do so.
This is particularly useful as the trend for remote and hybrid working continues to grow. Stemming from the Covid pandemic, workers and employers have discovered a flexible solution in hybrid working and cloud migration. In 2021, a global Statista survey showed that 73% of workers wanted to continue with a hybrid, flexible work approach.
Cloud migration will help to contribute to your remote working style by affording you more flexibility and agility. Remote working will enable you to give presentations, have video chats, and share your pitch deck, amongst other things, all from outside the office.
2. Cost Effective
Server hardware is costly. There is no getting around that fact. Businesses with on-site servers spend a lot of money on their IT infrastructure and operations. With cloud migration, you will pay a regular, but significantly smaller fee based on your specifications.
In addition to the hardware costs, cloud migration will save you money on maintenance. Everything on the server side is taken care of. Your cloud contact center will offer IT support when you run into any technical problems. Conversely, if you had your own hardware, you would need to hire an IT specialist to do the job for you.
3. Space Saver
Cloud migration frees up space in your office or place of business. You do not need to have any special equipment or hardware onsite. A good cloud ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system can integrate multiple business operations into one place. This leaves more room for other necessary business equipment or your employees to simply enjoy the extra space.
4. Scalability
Cloud-based migration is scalable and tailored to each business. As you grow, so can your data capacity. Use application modernization cloud solutions to move your business forward. These will help you manage your growing list of employees or your expanding workload.
When you have onsite hardware, scaling up is considerably more difficult. You need to purchase new servers, set them up, and even spend money on new software and licenses. This is costly, inconvenient, and time-consuming. There is also a chance of experiencing downtime while you are adjusting your set up.
Additionally, with cloud-based servers, there are options to only pay for what you use. That means that you don’t need to worry about wasting money on resources you don’t need or want. You simply get what you pay for and scale up as you need to.
5. Performance-Boosting
Technology is becoming more robust and powerful. And, cloud-based servers are no exception. Cloud-based servers are powerful, reliable, and quick to process data. Most providers are diligent with their speeds and availability, offering a 99% uptime guarantee.
6. Secures Your Data
When implemented correctly, the cloud can be a much more secure place to store and manage your business data. Cloud service providers put strict measures in place to protect their clients’ data from hackers and cyber threats. One such measure is ensuring your network is closed off from unauthorized traffic.
Another security enhancement measure of reputable cloud solutions providers is the regular, automatic updates of their systems. An updated system is less vulnerable to breaches and cyber attacks. So, maintaining updates is a priority.
More still, businesses can select a provider that offers the level of security they need. Some have more stringent security measures in place than others. Businesses are free to pick and choose one based on their requirements and budget.
When considering what security measures are best for your business you should consider the Key Risk Indicators (KRIs) from Auditboard to better understand your potential exposure and the likelihood of risk. This enables you to quantify each risk and its impact, and establish a warning system to manage these risks.
7. More Collaboration
All things in the cloud exist in real-time. It supports the hybrid workplace because data is saved and synchronized automatically. This means that everyone with access to data or a document can view changes as and when they are made.
Cloud migration enables teams to work on projects together, regardless of where they are located. They can use communication platforms and other tools and software that will optimize collaboration and project management.
Will Your Business Migrate to the Cloud?
Cloud migration is quickly becoming a must. Create process maps to determine whether it is the right direction for your business. On the whole though, cloud migration enables access to a range of business-boosting online tools and software.
It is more convenient, cost-effective, and secure than a traditional data storage setup. Furthermore, the cloud is an essential component of facilitating remote and hybrid working environments.
