Cloud computing – the use of offsite servers to handle your computing, storage and server needs – has long been seen as the inevitable future of IT, as well as the darling of companies that can’t resist the opportunity to shift capital expenditure to operational by removing on-premise servers and software.
But moving to cloud solutions isn’t simply a way to rebalance your books or reduce costs. By choosing cloud software you can also assist and accelerate your digital transformation goals. Before we look at how cloud enables this, let’s answer an important question.
What is a digital transformation?
A digital transformation involves integrating technology into every element of your organisation, and leveraging the power of technology to transform what’s possible. Instead of working traditionally with the support of technology, a true digital transformation involves going back to basics and assessing how technology can revolutionise the way you do business.
“Small businesses that take advantage of tech advancements to improve their customer and employee experience will survive and even thrive. Those that don’t will shut down.” – Anthony Bradley, Gartner
The next questions to answer is: what does cloud computing have to do with a digital transformation?
Cloud computing offers a number of advantages that support typical digital transformation goals. By using cloud solutions, you can more easily deliver an effective transformation.
More computing power
Clearly, the more you rely on IT and software to run your business, the more computing power you will need. Maintaining your own servers is expensive and difficult to achieve securely. And with in-house servers, your computing capacity is rigidly fixed. Any new requirement will require a new server.
With cloud computing, you can easily increase computing capacity – and just as quickly revert to your prior usage level. This makes it far easier to experiment with new technologies and services. If the experiment doesn’t work out, no long-term commitment to resource has been wasted.
More IT flexibility
With cloud computing, you can run new applications on different platforms with the click of a button. You don’t have to persuade your IT team or go through a lengthy requisition process.
Tech compatibility
If your digital transformation involves using new apps or services, then you will need to consider how these fit with your existing IT landscape. Older applications and platforms are typically less inter-operable than their modern cousins. Moving to cloud solutions may make it simpler to integrate any new tech that is central to your transformation.
Cost efficiency
Whether you are looking at cloud computing providers, or choosing software that is provided as a service, and hosted by the developer, you are entrusting the management, security, upgrades and support of your physical IT foundations to experts. Instead of attempting to manage your own pocket of infrastructure, you rely on organisations that manage IT at a grander scale. As such, they have the resources, expertise and experience to protect your data and applications from interference and provide uninterrupted service.
Speed to market
Creating new products and services is easier when you aren’t relying on the limited capacity of your in-house IT. Rather than waiting on your IT team to install new computing power, you simply request the additional resource and have it enabled in hours, not weeks.
Stringent security
Can your IT security compete with enterprises that are built on technology? Whether you are choosing cloud applications or hosting, you will be dealing with companies that have dedicated teams of people managing the safety and integrity of their systems and data. Their job is to keep all software up to date, to understand emerging security threats and to safeguard their products from hacks, data breaches and manipulation.
Want to know more about using cloud applications and services in your contact centre? IPI can help.
Jane is Head of Marketing at IPI with over 30 years experience in the IT marketing arena. Passionate about driving change through innovative technologies and highly focused on delivering IPI’s core messages to it’s clients and prospects.
