Cloud migration can come with huge wins, such as potential IT cost savings. Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, for example, saved 45% on tech costs by shutting down one of its existing physical data centres and moving to the cloud with certain applications. But windfalls to the bottom line are just one of the many benefits that can come from cloud initiatives.
5 benefits of cloud migration
Reaping the benefits of cloud migration does depend on a successful implementation. Take time to choose the right cloud migration partner and hire the people you need to support your technical endeavours. With the right approach, organizations that successfully move to the cloud can expect some of the following benefits.
• enhanced security
When IT decision makers were asked what was driving their cloud migration efforts, 37% said that the number one reason was security and protection of data. Even those who didn't put security in the top slot still had it high on their list, and 21% ranked it as the second-most important driver for moving to the cloud.
Cloud systems are actually more secure than traditional systems as long as they're done right. It seems like a paradox: How can something on the internet be more secure than something that's not? In reality, most businesses with on-premise solutions are still connected to the internet via numerous touchpoints. The difference with cloud computing is that you partner with a provider that's experienced at protecting those touchpoints and networks.
The security benefits are relevant and available at all levels, too. A Microsoft 365 survey of small businesses reported that 94% experienced enhanced security by moving to the cloud.
• cost savings
On average, organizations with on-premises solutions can spend up to 30% of their tech budgets maintaining those solutions. It stands to reason that shifting the responsibility for some of that to a vendor on the cloud might save money. But many enterprises wonder if the cost savings are worth the hassle of a cloud migration. Check out some cost-saving wins below to decide for yourself.
- Avery Dennison is a global manufacturing company. By moving 47 of its 190 sites to cloud telephony platforms, it reduced the need to invest in expensive local PBX services. So far, its savings is 25 to 40% cost reduction.
- Myers-Briggs, known for its personality testing, moved the bulk of its data storage to the cloud. The result was a decrease in colocation operating expenses of 75%.
- Accenture is working on a multi-year plan to migrate to the cloud and 95% of its IT infrastructure was there by late 2019. The result was more than $14 million in savings to that point.
• increased flexibility
Physical networks and IT infrastructures are rigid and limited. To scale your own data centre, for example, you need to purchase more servers. That might mean finding more appropriate space for server rooms or even looking for additional real estate. And that's only one of the many challenges that can create obstacles to growth and rapid development.
It's not just growth that's encumbered by physical IT infrastructures. Companies may find it difficult to pivot to meet new needs in the market quickly when they're tied down by their technical resources.
Cloud options remove those barriers. The right cloud partner should already have access to all the resources you will need in the future, and they're ready to support you with implementation immediately.
• greater mobility for workforce
The COVID-19 pandemic made it clear for many businesses that workforce mobility is important to them. The ability for workers to securely access and efficiently work with data, documents and systems from home or other locations is more than just a perk you can offer new hires. In a competitive market and a world where pandemics or other issues can limit who can make it to the office, mobility is key.
And it's not just work-from-home or work-from-travel opportunities that are important. Organizations with field staff or businesses that want the ability to hire the best possible talent no matter where the person is can turn to cloud migrations to better support mobility.
• better customer experience
You may have heard a bit about the benefits of the cloud listed above, but did you know that moving to the cloud can also generate a better customer experience? An improved customer experience leads to boosts in loyalty, conversion and revenues, so that's a strong set of dominoes to knock over in your business if you can.
Some ways the cloud supports better customer experience can include:
- Ensuring employees have easy access to the tools they need to solve customer problems in real-time
- Providing self-serve and cooperative tools for customers
- Supporting business initiatives such as scaling, growth and working across geographical barriers, which can all lead to better customer outcomes
