Cloud computing means more low-cost and efficiently run IT resources. It means discovering new ways of doing business. Cloud computing has also allowed SMEs to compete on a level playing field with large corporations but many are yet to make the first step, says Node4. One of the keys to realizing value from any Cloud initiatives is to ensure that they are planned and managed according to a business “mission plan,” one that clearly links the expenditure of effort and resources being contemplated to measurable, real-world business improvements, whether in terms of cost reduction or increased revenue/profitability.
Unfortunately, Cloud’s relatively low initial cost and ease of implementation make it too easy for any organization to over-spend and under-deliver on Cloud initiatives. This is especially true when it comes to Cloud-based data analytics, including Big Data. Research by Saugatuck Technology among large enterprises and government organizations indicates that the value of Cloud-based data initiatives, including analytics, tends to be unrealized due to a widespread lack of awareness and guidance regarding Cloud data solutions’ cost and utility. Joe McKendrick in a Forbes article citing Saugatuck Technology’s research noted:
“Corporate culture — not technology — is the greatest obstacle to business cloud. The executives also expressed the view that cloud-based innovation may take time within their organizations — funding and culture are seen as the greatest impediments to innovation. This is especially the case within older and heavily regulated industries”.
SMEs haven’t fully embraced the full potential of cloud computing despite the fact that the technology can enable them to gain access to leading edge facilities usually reserved for their larger counterparts. According to cloud computing and communications specialists Node4, making the switch from using a capital expenditure model to a pay-as-you-go operational expenditure opens up opportunities to use enterprise grade IT without the hassle of maintenance.
Paul Bryce, Business Development Director at Node4, said, “The benefits of cloud computing are extensive and, for the first time ever, businesses are able to compete on a level playing field. We have taken infrastructure technology from tier-one vendors like VMWare, Cisco and EMC and offered it on a shared public cloud platform for the mid market SME customer.
“Cloud infrastructures are very efficient and cost effective for customers to move all or some of their workload across to an outsourcing partner to take advantage of all of the benefits. The service can be aimed at new and start up businesses without the infrastructure or capital to get going but not everyone is aware of these benefits. Many SMEs begin to use cloud computing with an email solution as a starting point. Others have used the cloud to set up document sharing for those inside and outside of the company, in a similar way to how Dropbox works. Node4 has seen an increase in the use of corporate file sharing with security and service level agreements included.
Bryce said that companies with aspirations for growth can stand to benefit from cloud computing. He said, “We get customers coming to us saying they keep having to buy new equipment because they are constantly outgrowing it, or it’s out of its warranty. Some companies are having headaches with maintaining their infrastructure, servers and storage and this is taking their focus away from delivering value to the business with the applications that are on that infrastructure.
“They don’t want to manage that equipment any more, it’s just too intensive from a resource perspective and from a monetary perspective, and it’s inflexible, as it won’t adapt itself to companies during a time of expansion. With an on-demand infrastructure you can start with what you need today without worrying about tomorrow or the day after because the cloud can scale with you as and when needed.”
Image credit via bizmology
Hayden Richards is Contributor of IntelligentHQ. He specialises in finance, trading, investment, and technology, with expertise in both buy-side, sell-side. Contributing and advising various global corporations, Hayden is a thought leader, researching on global regulatory subjects, digital, social media strategies and new trends for Businesses, Capital Markets and Financial Services.
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