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.
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?
How to get started
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.