Even before the pandemic, cloud technologies were fast becoming the standard IT model for businesses. Our infographic from earlier in the year showed us that cloud is now normal, with 90% of organisations report running at least one application in the cloud right now.
As technology has evolved, so has the approach that businesses are taking towards it. Today, the most innovative, exciting and competitive companies embrace changes in technology, leveraging it to their advantage and recognising that the traditional way of doing things isn’t necessarily the best.
The remote working scenario we are currently has seen a surge in cloud usage, as organisations need to provide their users with the tools to access files and data from anywhere, securely. Cloud-based solutions like Microsoft Teams have been integral in enabling organisations to stay connected and collaborative when they’re not in the same room.
But some organisations are still using traditional on-premise systems which could be hindering their agility, competitiveness and performance as a business. On-premise solutions are those that are installed locally on a company’s servers, then managed by the in-house IT team. And while this appears to offer a great deal of control over the systems you are running, it also brings with a great deal of stress, high running costs and doesn’t allow for flexibility. In contrast, Software as a Service (SaaS) is an IT model by which a cloud solution provider (CSP) provides companies with cloud solutions on a subscription basis which are charged for per user, per month and managed by the CSP.
With SaaS being a cost-effective alternative to the on-premise model, and cloud security being the most robust there is, there really is no reason for companies to resist adopting the cloud.
So, to our on-premise IT stalwart friends who are yet to make the leap to the cloud, here are the top five reasons why switching to Software as a Service will be the best decision you make this year.
Make cost savings
When using the cloud, there are no hardware repairs or maintenance needed, which not only saves you money on ongoing break-fix scenarios but also saves time (and headaches!) Your data will be backed up periodically to ensure it’s always saved and accessible if you need to rollback, and downtime is few and far between. Your Service Level Agreement (SLA) with your cloud provider can stipulate the level of downtime that is acceptable to you, and how quickly service needs to be restored. All this is in contrast to the traditional on-premise model, which requires ongoing maintenance and check-ups to ensure everything is running smoothly and to avoid service outages.
Always on the most current versions
It’s essential your cloud is running the most up-to-date versions of software so that you are using the most powerful version of a solution and have the most robust security in place. Your cloud service provider will perform updates and upgrades on an ongoing basis, so you can always presume you are running the most current version of any app or solution.
Saves you time
It takes hardly any time to deploy a cloud solution. They can be rolled out simultaneously across multiple locations and for multiple users, without the cost and time it takes to set up on-premise systems. Because no additional hardware is needed, you don’t have to spend time and effort procuring and then installing it, which can be substantial, particularly if you are an organisation with multiple office locations.
Makes you really flexible
One of the major benefits of the cloud is its flexibility and ability to adapt to the changing circumstances of your business. On-premise solutions are often very rigid, requiring new users to be onboarded and offboarded manually. The cloud allows you to add users effortlessly, and remove them just as easily, flexing as your business grows or if you need to scale back. This also means you only ever pay for what you use, with no waste, and never paying for more users than you have on the system. By comparison, companies using on-premise systems will eventually outgrow their server’s capacity as the business expands, with more costs incurred to upgrade hardware and potentially recruit for their in-house IT team.
Needs less space... hello, smaller office!
With much of the UK workforce now working from home, many organisations are re-evaluating their office space. Many companies are moving to smaller offices, with a long-term view of having fewer staff in at any one time. And moving to the cloud strengthens the business case to downsize, as it removes the need to have bulky servers on-site, which often require their own room in order to be properly ventilated. Cloud-based systems can’t be seen; they don’t need their own room, endless lengths of wire or round-the-clock ventilation to keep them going, but they’re incredibly powerful, secure and reliable.
Next steps
Core can help you on your cloud migration journey, whether you're just beginning it or need support with the solutions you're using. Contact us to find out how we can help.
If you're already using Microsoft 365 but want to know how to get more value from your licences, we have a range of workshops to show you how to do just that. For eligible customers, these workshops can be funded by Microsoft. Ask us about them today.
