Most people today have business exposure to the cloud through software as a service (SaaS) applications and/or remote storage. And in this digital age we’re continuing to see a shift of enterprise operations onto business clouds. But embracing a cloud strategy can be a daunting prospect for companies that are steeped in the tradition of on-premises operations and storage.
The recent growth of remote work and distributed teams caused by the pandemic has been a wake-up call for many businesses. On-premises apps and data might be adequate when employees are also on-site. But with so many employees working remotely, off-cloud apps and data workflows need to be more flexible, accessible, and secure. This presents a predicament for companies trying to maintain normal operations and business continuity. But it also highlights the benefits of the cloud: broadly accessible apps and data, wherever you are and on whatever device you prefer.
The Undisputed Benefits of Cloud Computing
While many companies feel forced into cloud adoption by current events, they quickly realize the obvious benefits. Rather than an upheaval of established order, a smarter way to look at the cloud is as an extension of those same on-premises operations. A business cloud allows employees to do what they could do in-house, anywhere in the world – often at a lower cost and with fewer barriers.
Chief among the benefits of moving from on-premises to the cloud is the unparalleled potential for collaboration. Teams may be apart, but their ability to work cohesively has never been easier than it is with a robust business cloud connecting them.
For example, Employee A inputs data into a cloud repository, where it’s accessible in different applications, allowing Employees B and C to accomplish their tasks. Meanwhile, employees D, E, and F can work on a shared document simultaneously. Employees G and H then use all of that data to generate reports brimming with essential insights. Business clouds promote natural workflows, no matter how many people are involved or where and when they’re working.
The collaborative benefits of the cloud have produced numerous other advantages. Cost savings, for example. Time is money, which means agility in a cloud environment adds up to a positive bottom-line impact. Enhanced efficiency and productivity result in new revenue because employees do more in less time to drive higher ROI.
Scalability and security are often concerns cited by businesses as reasons for not migrating to the cloud. The irony is that these are actually benefits of cloud computing.
Single sign-on (SSO) and two-factor/multi-factor authentication are more effective security tools than a network username and password. Most cloud services also provide enhanced data encryption to meet standards like SOC2, ISO27001, HIPAA, and PCI. Moreover, remote monitoring and maintenance (RMM) of cloud systems provides real-time defense against cyber threats. When it comes to scalability, the cloud is infinite, allowing for as many integrations, data streams, and access points as are needed for businesses to flourish.
The reality is, on-premises-to-cloud migration isn’t an inconvenience. It’s an inevitability, and one that companies are wise to embrace right now.
The Challenges of Transitioning to a Business Cloud
Some facets of on-premises-to-cloud migration are simple. For example, take moving your data off the C Drive and into a cloud-hosted repository. It doesn’t require much effort to relocate your static files and create user credentials for sharing. It certainly can be a much easier process than software integrations.
There are two primary challenges in porting on-premises applications to the cloud. The first is the availability of cloud infrastructure. It’s likely your most-used apps – Salesforce, Slack, Adobe programs, etc. – have cloud-enabled versions available. Your legacy software products might not. Finding a way to make these programs available off-site is crucial.
The second obstacle is ensuring the full functionality and integration capabilities of the software ecosystem within the cloud. Accessibility to remote employees is meaningless if it’s plagued by unreliability or high barriers to information.
Thankfully, the solution to both of these obstacles is the same: integration platform as a service (iPaaS). An iPaaS acts as a bridge from on-premises to the cloud. It facilitates integrations between cloud-based data streams and applications, bringing everything together in a seamless ecosystem.
iPaaS Makes Moving From On-Premises to Cloud Easy
iPaaS remedies the biggest on-premises-to-cloud migration challenges by acting as the connective tissue between all of the different systems and applications that the business depends on every day. An iPaaS integrates not only cloud-based applications but also ones that remain on-premises, as well as hybrid systems.
With iPaaS, data is better synchronized and more consistent throughout the business. Manual processes become automated. There’s a democratization of data by breaking down data silos that often develop in antiquated, legacy systems. The freedom of the cloud increases accessibility, so everyone has the information they need to be more efficient on the job and more effective in serving customers.
The first step for any business moving its on-premises data and software to the cloud is to find an iPaaS with seamless integration capabilities. If you’re looking to unlock the cloud’s full potential, the low-code Boomi AtomSphere Platform offers quick migration through pre-built connectors that enable you to realize greater time-to-value.
Boomi’s enterprise-grade, low-code platform makes migrating to the cloud fast, easy, and cost-effective. Learn more.