These days, it seems like all the cool kids on the block are going all-in cloud
The State of the Cloud Native Security Report 2020 shows enterprises using cloud run nearly half (46%) of their workloads in the cloud and anticipate getting to 64% in the next two years.
But just because everyone one else is doing it, does that mean your customers should switch from on-premises to cloud? Moving workloads to the cloud has many benefits. But before doing so, you should be able to answer customers’ questions and concerns regarding cloud migration.
The following information is designed to help you do just that.
Cloud adoption on the rise
A recent report predicts that the market for cloud computing will grow from $371.4 billion in 2020 to $832.1 billion by 2025, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.5% during that timeframe. Drivers of cloud adoption include the increasing shift toward digital transformation, work-from-home (WFH) business models and the ability to accelerate customer experience improvements.
Still, it’s wise to consider all sides of investing in on-premises, cloud storage or a combination of both before charging forward. With on-premises, the server is controlled, administered and maintained by an organization’s own IT team or by an outsourced partner. With cloud, a provider procures, installs and maintains hardware, software and supporting infrastructure in its data centers on a company’s behalf. This data is accessible through the internet. Hybrid cloud mixes on-prem infrastructure and cloud for a — you guessed it — hybrid workload solution.
Before your customers make a decision, here are some considerations you can use to help guide them:
Pros and cons of cloud
Pros: The ability to store data, documents and other pertinent information in the cloud has many benefits that include less IT staff responsibilities since a third party takes care of implementation, software patches, updates and more; access from anywhere, whether on-site or remote or regardless whether employees work from a mobile device, laptop or tablet; reduced upfront costs since customers no longer have to purchase costly hardware; and an adjustable budget as they have the option to pay for what’s used and scale cloud usage up or down — oftentimes on a month-to-month basis.
Cons: While scalability can be a great thing, scaling up services or servers can equate to escalated costs; plus, spotty internet connections, particularly in WFH situations, can lead to delays or even prevent a user from accessing certain files. And if a cloud provider only offers basic services in minimum packages, your customer might end up on the wrong side of a stiff bill for additional services.
Pros and cons of on-premises servers
On-premises might seem safer and more reliable, yet, taking a closer look at the positives and negatives can surface a few elements worth consideration:
Pros: When employees use on-premises servers, a company’s internet costs are lower than with cloud usage; an organization has control of its own hardware — including upgrades, maintenance, management and modification; and can customize software without relying on outside help.
Cons: IT support staff required to deploy, manage and maintain in-house servers comes at a cost, as does the capital investment and ongoing maintenance for hardware upgrades, software patches and licensing obligations. Plus, on-premises systems often store data backups on-site, which is risky, particularly if a natural disaster or system malfunction were to occur. Lastly, if business surges, how easily can a company scale up infrastructure to support the need?
Pros and cons of hybrid cloud
While it’s good to understand both options on their own, it’s also possible to have the best of both if that’s the right fit for your company. Let’s explore what bringing the two together can do:
Pros: By marrying on-prem and cloud, companies can leverage many of the same pros listed above in one symbiotic environment. The cloud brings flexibility, scalability and reduced costs while the on-premises infrastructure is reliable and private. Bringing these two options together allows deployments to move seamlessly between them, giving businesses the ability to supplement each other when needed.
Cons: While there are several benefits, they can come at a cost too — literally. Maintaining a hybrid environment can be more expensive. Data latency and redundancy can also be obstacles as data is often shared over the internet which affects speed of transfer and maintaining copies of data for increased availability is more difficult as well. Essentially while you get both sets of benefits, it’s possible to experience some of each’s cons too.
The more you know, the better
Suggesting whether a customer goes all-in cloud, continues with on-premises solutions or follows a hybrid path varies client to client. But the more familiar you are with the pros and cons, and the pull you have through your Arrow connection, the better.
It could be that your customers aren’t fully cloud-ready. But if they are asking — and we’re guessing they are — then a simple run-through of questions will inform whether certain workloads can be moved to the cloud or whether it’s premature.
Your customers look to you for expert advice, but that doesn’t mean you can answer all their questions. This is where we come in. Arrow can help you counsel your customers on their cloud-readiness and the myriad choices that come with it. When they grow, you grow. And if they aren’t cloud-ready, that’s okay. You’ll be there to guide them when they are. It’s a win-win for all.
Find out how we can help you guide your customers in their cloud journey.
