As a General Manager or team leader, you may need to justify a move to cloud with business owners, boards, CEOs or your Directors. Floating the idea of migrating to the cloud requires consideration. So make sure your judgements aren’t ‘clouded’, and know the facts to quickly substantiate the investment. Don’t get left behind on pure cloud backup… with cloud services, the sky’s the limit! Here’s why…
1) Cloud is more cost effective.
Let’s break down the cloud. There’s a few options as to how to get on the cloud. It can be handled internally by your staff or externally through IT outsourcing services. Using external managed IT services to provide your cloud is a smart IT strategy for Perth businesses. Trying to manage an internal in-house cloud can be counter-productive, based on your organisation’s economies of scale.
External providers can pay-off quickly, when comparing the cost to internally set-up cloud backup, security, speed, performance, overheads, continuity and reliability. If systems need to be upgraded after every 3 years to keep up to date, then using IT consulting or outsourced IT management for cloud services makes sense.
When correctly delivered, migrating to the cloud can actually save businesses up to 80% on traditional IT budgets and bottom lines. Cloud is also scalable, which is cost effective for growing businesses or those downsizing in the current market. You can save money by adding on, or removing licenses, as needed. There is also no maintenance or relocation costs required with cloud – which leads us onto the next benefit…
2) No need to transport systems if you relocate.
Looking to move into a smaller more economical office space in the future? Unlike classic server rooms, the cloud is offsite, and does not take up valuable site space.
Likewise, there’s no need to worry about downtime, data loss or business continuity, if your office were to relocate – which minimises disruption to your team and service operations. This is one less thing to worry about during such times – allowing faster and simpler moves.
3) No potential ongoing repairs.
There’s no need to budget for upkeep with cloud. Server repairs are no longer a concern for you and your team, since this will be managed by your cloud’s external network support services or outsourced IT support.
Furthermore, you can avoid the overheads of dedicated hardware and software maintenance. This includes the manpower and time required for data recovery and offsite data backup, which frees up your staff to concentrate on other areas of your business.
4) More secure than onsite systems.
Cloud is generally more secure than in-house systems, because of the security measures and protocols in place, at the leading enterprise class data centres where cloud is held. Primary cloud backups are housed under physical security systems that offer state of the art protection.
Aside from being fire proof, there are firewalls, routers and switches that assure your company’s network and data are always kept secure. With the threat of hackers ever-increasing, it’s smart to stay ahead of the pack, with professional hosting premises and network engineers consistently monitoring your own isolated cloud.
Cloud protects your business from unauthorised parties. Weigh up your costs, and sleep soundly – just like you’re on a cloud – by migrating to the cloud, for added peace of mind.
5) Backups limit any potential data loss.
Third party hosting (such as enterprise class data centres) tend to have dedicated secure high speed fibre optic networks that connect primary and secondary fail over sites. This limits potential data loss and ensures managed IT security.
Likewise, Microsoft Office 365 also lets you benefit from such dependable cloud solutions, to free up company resources and increase your efficiency, when it comes to handling data loss, office productivity and collaboration. With IT consulting (phone support), access to SharePoint Online and other such features, you’re backed by Microsoft’s security, reliability and familiarity. Business-class features include geo-redundancy, guaranteed 99.9% uptime, and disaster recovery services – all under a predictable and flexible pay as you go price structure.
6) Locate what you need remotely – whenever and wherever.
Cloud solutions, like Office 365 for Perth companies, are not only user-friendly but simple to set up. They enable your staff to always have access to the newest versions of Microsoft Business (plus the Productivity Online Suite). On nearly any web-enabled device, you and your team have access to emails, documents, contacts and calendars, via cloud services. At home, on the road, or abroad – if you have internet, you can connect from mobiles, tablets, laptops or computers.
With Microsoft Office 365 support, utilising cloud solutions and backup, your company has access to:
- Office Professional Plus – get more from applications your staff are savvy with.
- Exchange Online – optimise email with simple cloud solutions.
- SharePoint Online – inspire collaboration to raise productivity and your bottom line.
- Lync Online – reduce carbon footprints and connect via online communications.
7) Migrating to cloud can be completed swiftly.
Cloud solutions also include Microsoft Azure – a hybrid alternative that merges those choosing to keep their onsite server storage (to build and develop applications) – whilst leveraging cloud to cut cost and time. Whatever the cloud you choose, there is an option to suit your business needs and migrating to the cloud can be quick and easy.
In 2011, Microsoft committed 90% of its $9.6bn R&D budget to perfecting the cloud. In 2013, cloud vendors were experiencing growth rates of 50% per annum. Hosted services, exchanges and servers are becoming the way of the future for automation and reduced running costs, as well as virus and hacking protection. Not only will you be surprised by how your programs run faster under cloud services – you will be shocked at how streamlined migration processes can be completed.
Pay for only what you require in today’s fluctuating market! It’s time to seriously consider cloud services.