The air is fine up here: Why your company should migrate to the cloud  

Cisco Systems predicts 

 Today, at least 70 percent of all U.S. organizations are using some cloud computing model. As Dallas Business Journal asserts: “It isn’t a stretch to call the approaching cloud migration wave a tsunami. It’s also safe to assume that when that much data, software and storage moves to the cloud, it will sweep your business right along with it — whether or not you’re prepared for the change.”

So, what exactly is cloud computing? Why are businesses, and small businesses in particular, migrating to the cloud in these numbers? More importantly, why isn’t your company?

Defining the cloud and cloud migration

“The cloud is just a metaphor for the Internet,” according to PC Mag. “In the simplest terms, cloud computing means storing and accessing data and programs over the Internet instead of your computer’s hard drive. [...] It goes back to the days of flowcharts and presentations that would represent the gigantic server-farm infrastructure of the Internet as nothing but a puffy, white cumulus cloud, accepting connections and doling out information as it floats.” It’s about storage, but it’s also about communications. Cloud communications blends multiple modalities, including voice, email, chat, and video. Cloud migration is the process of moving data, applications or other business elements from onsite computers to the cloud.

Businesses and individual consumers operate on different clouds. “

The benefits: A focus on efficiency and profitability

Cloud migration has many benefits. As explained in Forbes, “the chief benefits listed by organizations that have successfully moved to the cloud include increased efficiency, ease of access, simpler administration and management and overall lower costs.” There are five key reasons your company might want to consider cloud migration.

• Cost: The cloud reduces costs related to managing and maintaining IT. It also allows IT teams to focus on issues outside of on-site infrastructure.

• Scalability: Cloud technology eliminates the necessity for constant hardware and software improvements, which is often an exorbitant expense. With cloud storage, it’s about purchasing more (or scaling back) resources as needed.

• Flexibility: With cloud computing, employees easily access data on- or off-site on a variety of devices. This also improves collaboration, allowing multiple people to access the same data and tools in real-time.

• Security: When company data is stored in the cloud, it is separated from hardware-based security risks. It also allows for the efficient and remote wiping of data from one source.

• Storage: In terms of storage plans, there are virtually unlimited growth options, which are demonstrably less expensive than increasing on-site infrastructure.

When it comes to the cloud, the benefits are substantial. You don't want to be left behind. If your company is interested in cloud migration, contact Opinov8 for a smooth transition.