There are many benefits to be gained with cloud computing – like the ability to access information, share, and collaborate from more places. If you’re considering taking advantage of these benefits and making the move to the cloud, the process to do so is different for every business. That’s why investing time in the planning stage to understand your current and ideal IT infrastructure, and how you’ll shift to your ideal state, will pay off in the long run.
Reasons companies are moving to the cloud
At TBTC Victoria East, there are a few key reasons that we see businesses choose to migrate to cloud computing, including:
1. Resourcing. By transitioning away from physical on-premise hardware to cloud solutions, you can reduce the costs associated with constantly maintaining and upgrading physical assets.
2. Flexibility. Cloud-based software is available wherever there’s an internet connection, meaning your team can connect from more places.
3. Productivity. A major benefit of companies moving to the cloud is the ability to create a centralised hub of solutions. Many cloud-based solutions have functionality that enables voice calling, video calling, file sharing and collaboration to happen on one cohesive platform. This means your team can get on the same page and collaborate without needing to keep flicking between different platforms.
Main things to consider before migrating to the cloud
There is a lot involved in migrating to the cloud. From choosing the solution that’s best aligned to your needs, to migrating your existing systems across, building a solid plan and strategy can help you navigate the journey. Here are some questions to ask to help you along the way.
[H3] What apps and systems do you use, and are they compatible?
It’s important that your business’ current software is compatible with your cloud solution, or that you’ve considered what new software you’ll use when you move to the cloud. This step is even more crucial when creating a hybrid cloud infrastructure with legacy systems, which may not be compatible with your new cloud solution.
If you have incompatible software, your business’ migration process may be slowed down. So, it’s a good idea to double check all your systems before choosing your cloud solution.
Will your connectivity be able to support cloud migration?
Some key reasons for moving to the cloud include boosting business performance, productivity and activity – but this can put extra pressure on your systems. This means that it’s even more important that your business internet is ready for the increased activity, especially if you’ll be sharing business-critical information through cloud-based software that relies on connectivity.
Your business’ internet should be able to support both a higher volume of uploads and downloads, but also the number of people connected. Cloud collaboration often requires more bandwidth for uploads because of the continuous flow of data back and forth for things like file sharing or video calling. Because of this, many of the latest business-internet solutions now cater for higher upload speeds. It’s a good idea to check this before you migrate, so you’re not stuck with lags once you’ve made the move.
What changes will you need to make to your business’ security?
Keeping business-critical data safe is essential for all businesses, regardless of size. Different businesses need different types of security, so evaluating your security should be completed at the beginning of any cloud migration to ensure your business is protected. Business continuity and disaster recovery should be factored in as part of this planning stage, to help you identify the actions you’d take if you encounter security breaches, system crashes, natural disasters or any other events that may happen without warning.
How TBTC Victoria East can help
At TBTC Victoria East, our team of network experts can support your business in moving to the cloud. We’ll talk to you about your business needs, drivers and strategic goals before making recommendations specific to you and your business. Talk to us today to get started on your move to the cloud.
