As cloud computing continues to mature, businesses of all sizes are touting its benefits. However, for many businesses, the process of migrating existing software and services to cloud platforms might be daunting. Whether you are unsure about the benefits of cloud computing for your business or are looking for solutions to replace aging software and infrastructure, these 10 statistics about cloud computing offer strong reasons to move your business to the cloud.
1. Migrating to the Cloud Could Offer Significant Productivity Boosts
Dynamic Business recently highlighted an AMI-Partners study into IT managements and costs that estimates that small businesses lose $24 billion annually due to failure to manage IT solutions.
2. Cloud Services Provide Sophisticated Infrastructure at Reduced Costs
CDW’s 2013 State of the Cloud Report shows that between 2011 and 2012 the average savings for businesses adopting cloud technologies increased by three percent. As cloud technologies continue to mature, this is likely to increase.
3. You Are Probably Using Cloud Services Already
A recent Citrix Cloud survey shows that the majority of those who claim that they have never utilized cloud services are utilizing them without realizing it. From file hosting and sharing to online collaboration and email, cloud services are a major component of many popular business tools and web services.
4. Cloud Services Offer Outstanding Cost Management and Expansion Abilities
As a business grows, infrastructure requirements can change drastically. Many popular cloud services offer predictable metered or flat rate billing to make budgeting a simple process. According to the Cloud Security Alliance, this is a leading driver of cloud service adoption.
5. Cloud Service Adoption is Just Beginning to Mature
A recent study by Mimecast indicated that 70 percent of polled cloud service users intend to migrate additional services to the cloud. As more businesses test cloud services on minor business processes or small scales, confidence in cloud computing will drive businesses to transition an increasing number of processes to the cloud.
6. Cloud Services are Replacing Traditional Servers
Cloud Hypermarket predicts that by the end of 2013 that 60 percent of server workloads will run on cloud-based virtual machines and other cloud technologies. Cloud services provide access to computing resources that are inaccessible to many businesses or cost prohibitive to maintain.
7. Cloud Service Security is Improving
One of the largest reasons given for avoiding cloud services has been a lack of security. As technologies mature and service providers provide proof that data is secure and that the cloud is safe for sensitive information, this trend is changing. A survey from Symantec reveals that 87 percent of participating organizations felt that cloud service could improve their existing security.
8. Cloud Computing is a Leading Priority for CIOs
As businesses continue to look for ways to optimize business operations and resources, CIOs are looking at cloud services as the answer to many common concerns. Business Insider estimates that more than half of CIOs consider cloud computing to be their largest concern in the coming year.
9. Cloud Services Are No Longer Optional
As more businesses adopt cloud services, the disadvantages of failing to adopt them increase. Information Week recently reported that businesses failing to implement a cloud service strategy risk falling behind within their market.
10. Cloud and Mobile Are Converging
Mobile and BYOD trends are changing the way that many businesses look at security and productivity. Forrester predicts that mobile and cloud technologies will continue to merge throughout 2013 making both areas ideal for consideration for CIOs and CFOs.
Cloud computing is changing the way that businesses operate. If you have not considered the benefits of cloud computing for your business, these 10 statistics might change your mind.
