Is your business still maintaining an on-site data center and all of the hardware and applications that go with it? If so, you are in the minority, and it is time to consider outsourcing this work. As of 2022, more than 60% of all corporate data is stored in the cloud, according to Statistica. Software-based storage platforms are so reliable that on-site IT systems are quickly becoming a thing of the past. In truth, data management companies are the only businesses that need an in-house data center. Everyone else can realize the benefits of ditching their hardware as soon as they do it.
Initially, businesses managed their IT because alternatives were scarce. They invested in data processing hardware and IT infrastructure software. They purchased generator backup and cooling equipment and added security systems. They allocated large spaces with loads of electrical capacity to house this machinery and began the never-ending quest to maintain and upgrade it. The costs associated with upkeep and upgrades posed a significant financial burden to businesses managing their digital assets.
As options for outsourcing IT services became available, some companies were skeptical. They were concerned about security and reliability. The idea that sensitive data could be managed externally was novel and scary.
Why File Data Management In The Cloud Is Inevitable
Today, the Internet offers a reliable and low-cost way to manage data storage. Cloud-based IT solutions keep up with technological advancements so businesses don’t have to. Companies with outsourced IT services can reallocate those resources in ways that grow the business. Fiscal planning becomes easier with IT as a fixed, up-front cost. Personnel costs decrease without staffing IT professionals, and businesses can still access skilled technicians.
If you decide to join the thousands of others who have moved their businesses toward a software-based IT structure, here are some tips about when and how.
When is the right time?
- If annual costs for your IT infrastructure are consistently increasing, it’s a sign of aging. Older systems cost more to run. The lion’s share of the average IT budget goes toward the maintenance of legacy applications and systems where they apply. Outsourcing reduces costs in several ways, allowing businesses to reset their budgetary goals.
- The ideal time to shift to a hybrid model and move toward the modernization of your IT infrastructure is when your in-house data center needs an upgrade. The time will come when the file server is slowing and affecting productivity. Use the money that would go toward those updates to migrate some workloads to the cloud.
- If energy efficiency with a lower carbon footprint and responsible business practices are a priority for your business, eschewing older systems and equipment is the right move. Traditional data centers rely on fossil fuels, whereas shared centers draw from renewable sources as much as possible and have carbon credits toward future sustainability goals when they can’t. From gas emissions and water efficiency to general IT effectiveness, the cloud wins over on-site data centers in all these areas.
How to get started
- A gradual shift to software-based IT management is the best approach to migrating from hardware-based systems. Research cloud-based options in advance to determine the right fit for the business and form a plan that includes timelines, budget, priorities, etc.
- Determine which data workloads make the most sense to move first. Start with the low-hanging fruit, and follow with subsequent workloads and applications based on priority. Many companies move the backup data center to the cloud first.
- As workloads move, the need for hardware decreases. Some businesses opt for a hybrid model with a smaller data center and some cloud-based applications. Many find that they can move away from hardware installations completely.
- Moving IT infrastructure to the public cloud means a business no longer owns the assets being used. It converts the in-house data center, a capital expenditure, to an operational cost. From the outset, a company should align the initiatives of cloud migration with business goals citing the following strengths: business optimization, innovation, scalability, agility, sustainability, and above all, cost control.
Shifting IT operations to the cloud gives companies more flexibility, freeing them from sourcing, installing, and maintaining hard and software. It allows them to implement the latest technological developments, including AI, machine learning, and analytics. It reduces operating expenses and allows businesses to budget and forecast better. With all of this, the focus returns to the core of the business and the future ahead.
