Ask yourself, why do you still have servers on-premise? If you’re reading this blog, chances are you still have some on-premise IT. There’s technically nothing wrong with that, but realistically, there are more disadvantages than benefits at this point. Technology has changed over the past few years. Agile, flexible systems that enable a diverse workforce are more important than ever. Unfortunately for on-premise servers, they don’t check that box. In this blog, we’ll share insights into why the cloud is an option for every business, and tips for getting your organization there.
IT upgrades…in this economy?!
It’s like the old saying, “penny wise, pound foolish.” Sticking with what you have temporarily can make sense. Ignoring the future doesn’t.
We often hear people that have hardware on site say they want to keep using it for as long as possible. We get it, believe me. But at the end of the day, everything IT related has a shelf-life. Your hardware will need to be upgraded eventually – and that’s not a bad thing. The key is proactive planning and strategic implementation.
Ideally, upgrades are a planned event (and a planned expense). If you’re looking ahead and planning your next server purchase, STOP. Take a critical look at what you have now, and what the cost to replace it would be. The best time to plan a cloud migration is when you’re already planning to upgrade your systems.
Another consideration is what enabling your team to work from anywhere can do. When viewed through a lens of flexibility and business continuity, there are huge advantages to leveraging cloud technologies.
We can’t use the cloud because…
Trust me, I’ve heard this a million times. Chances are, this feels like a real argument. There’s no way the cloud can do everything your servers do, right? Actually, it can. There’s almost nothing we’ve encountered that can’t be run in the cloud.
Whether it’s an industry specific line of business application, or something specific to an organization, we can almost always make it work. Don’t let this misconception deter you from considering a move to the cloud.
We don’t need to work remotely!
Okay, so you’re an in-person kind of crowd. That’s fine – we were too! Sure, now we work-from-anywhere and have team members spread out across the US, but we didn’t always. And even when we were based in physical offices, we used the cloud.
The flexibility a cloud environment offers is massive, and it often means you can be less focused on location. But it works just as well if you are all going to an office. And there are still benefits that you just don’t have with on-premise IT.
Some key benefits of the cloud:
- It’s scalable. You can easily adjust capacity and cost based on your utilization and patterns.
- It stays current. Cloud systems are constantly being updated and upgraded, often with no cost or impact to you. This means your systems stay optimal and functional for longer than traditional hardware.
- Flexibility is built in. IF you need to work from home (or wherever, really!) you can.
- Secure access. A properly configured cloud environment can be even more secure than on-premise systems.
- It’s cost effective. Not having to plan for major hardware replacements, pay for space you’re not using, or worry about things like properly cooling your server room can create significant savings over time.
At this point, it’s clear that I’m a huge advocate of the cloud. ADNET has been a cloud-first organization for years – since well before the pandemic shifted more organizations into hybrid and cloud models. We love the flexibility, security, and scalable nature of cloud environments. With ADNET’s work-from-anywhere approach and collaborative office spaces, it’s an easy choice for us. No matter what your organization does, or where you do it from – the cloud can work for you, too.
Need help implementing a secure cloud environment? Reach out to us! ADNET is a Microsoft Solutions Partner, and we have several team members specializing in Azure.