The Pros and Cons of Cloud-Based Solutions

Recent research from Gartner predicts that by the year 2027, 35% of all data center infrastructure will be cloud-based.

There are a couple of major trends shaping the shift to cloud-based infrastructure, including the interest in artificial intelligence (AI), which is accessible in the cloud, and the need to introduce cost-saving measures. But as you consider whether a cloud-based approach to IT operations is ideal for your company, it’s a good idea to become familiar with some of the benefits of the cloud versus some drawbacks.

Let’s start with the pros of cloud-based operations:

Scalability

A company only ever needs to pay for the number of users that are accessing the solution. As seasonality or rapid growth creates a need for more users, it’s easy to spin up more users in a matter of minutes.

Agility

Cloud-based solutions allow companies to quickly pivot, including in areas like the customer experience or specific user-facing app features. With automation able to apply policy across an organization, cloud technology has become incredibly efficient.

Centralized Control

Depending on how companies organize the environment, there is great benefit in being able to manage both on-premises and cloud-based solutions from a centralized console. Tools have emerged that make managing a complex, multi-cloud or hybrid cloud environment more simplified.

However, there are also a few drawbacks mentioned by those considering a cloud-focused approach to IT:

Perception of Security Risk

In reality, large cloud-based data centers have superior security compared to anything that could be implemented at a company, but the complex security considerations that must be addressed before migration may give your company pause. It does require some assessment and evaluation to be sure that areas of vulnerability are addressed.

Compliance

For organizations in some industries, such as financial services or healthcare, cloud technology can be tricky to utilize without violating any privacy regulations.

Performance

Some companies considering a migration to the cloud also have to evaluate their network to determine if an upgrade is necessary. Cloud applications tend to be bandwidth-hungry compared to on-premises solutions, so a network speed and performance test is a good idea before jumping into a migration plan.

There are certain apps that are more critical for network connectivity than others. For instance, a unified communications solution that offers video conferencing will be far more sensitive to latency than an email transmission.

Vendor Lock-In

This is a concern that has been closely linked to cloud migration, but even when a company adopts an in-house solution, they have to commit to a particular vendor for support. In many cases, vendor lock-in is not a problem, because you may decide to use multiple cloud solutions and service level agreements have evolved over time to safeguard companies migrating to the cloud.

Overcoming your concerns about cloud-based technology is part of the process of advancing your IT operations, but do it with an experienced guide. Contact us at OneConnect for assistance in evaluating your current IT environment and identifying the best opportunities for an upgrade.