Traditional IT infrastructure gives businesses control over their computing and allows for customisation, whereas cloud computing allows businesses to scale easier, as well as become more cost efficient and accessible.
Cloud computing has taken off over the last few years, especially as more people hold hybrid or completely remote working roles, with businesses doing what they can to adapt. With that in mind, we’re seeing these businesses explore secure cloud solutions, and decide whether or not to make the switch to cloud computing over more traditional infrastructure.
What is Cloud Integration?
Cloud integration isn’t a straightforward concept, and that means it’s not always easy to explain, but we’ll do our best. The process of cloud integration is used when businesses are moving away from traditional infrastructure and computing, and into cloud hosting and computing. It works to connect traditional infrastructure with new cloud-based infrastructure, ensuring all data remains accessible during and following the transition.
It’s different from cloud migration in that it’s not a once-off – it’s an ongoing initiative that keeps physical and cloud-based systems connected. Cloud migration is more about moving things from a traditional system or infrastructure to the cloud, whereas cloud integration is continuous and more about connecting the two so that real-time data exchange is possible, and that there is central access.
When is Cloud Integration Needed?
Depending on the size of your business, you might have access to a lot of data across a few different sources, or you might have a mix of traditional IT infrastructure and cloud-based computing being used across departments.
Cloud integration is needed when this situation becomes reality, and that’s because it becomes super important for an organisation to have a unified view of data and operations, but also allowing staff and stakeholders to share data and collaborate, whether working remotely, in a shared space, or in the office.
Benefits of Cloud Integration
There are a range of benefits to cloud integration, but they all have one thing in common – increased efficiency across a business. The three examples below provide some insight into how.
#1 Improves Business Operations
When an organisation’s team is working from the connected ecosystem that a successful cloud integration creates, business operations improve in a number of ways. Firstly, everyone is likely to be speaking the same language, and we mean that figuratively, of course. The same data is being referenced, an environment of collaboration is fostered, and more informed decision-making comes as a result.
#2 Increases Business Scalability and Flexibility
When a business relies solely on traditional IT infrastructure, it can be difficult, resource-heavy and time-consuming to scale. This is because physical infrastructure needs to be sourced, acquired, installed, configured and monitored when there is a capacity increase. However, cloud-based solutions are scalable virtually, allowing for quick and easy increases or decreases as needed.
As a result, businesses are able to be more agile or flexible in how they scale, but also in how they are able to allow their employees to work. With central access to files, applications, data and communication systems, businesses are able to better facilitate those who work in hybrid or completely remote roles.
#3 Reduces Costs and Increases Revenue
The increase in scalability and flexibility that comes with cloud integration can also go hand-in-hand with a reduction in costs, and an increase in revenue. Cloud integration can reduce or even completely stamp out the need for upfront infrastructure expenses that they might otherwise need. Maintenance and other operational costs can also be reduced.
By only paying for resources that it will actually use (which is made possible through cloud integration), a business can also reduce the costs associated with scaling.
Whether your business is looking into cloud-based solutions, or would like to explore cloud integration as part of managed IT services, the Xenex Systems Perth team can help. Contact us online or over the phone to book in a free, no-obligation audit of your IT systems.